Alpamayo

Alpamayo is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca with a height of 5,947 meters and a distinctive pyramidal shape. Its south and southwest faces are covered with snow and ice, which give the peak its characteristic appearance.

The first documented ascent took place in 1957 when German mountaineers Günter Hauser, Bernhard Huhn, and Horst Wiedmann reached the summit. The peak gained international recognition after it was featured in an alpine magazine in 1966.

The name comes from Quechua words—"allpa" means earth and "mayu" means river—connecting the peak to the language spoken by people living in the surrounding highlands.

The south face is the preferred climbing route and requires advanced ice climbing skills and specialized mountaineering gear. Climbers should be prepared for high-altitude conditions and rapidly changing weather patterns at this elevation.

A striking photograph published in the alpine magazine Alpinismus in 1966 introduced the peak to climbers worldwide and shaped how mountaineers view its form. This image became widely shared among the climbing community and influenced the peak's reputation globally.

Location: Ancash Department

Elevation above the sea: 5,947 m

GPS coordinates: -8.87893,-77.65361

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:03