Photo Project: 52 Bolivian Sundays [week 5, ‘Unique’]: the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real.

At 6,438 m (21,122 ft), mount Illimani is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real, the second highest in Bolivia and the 18th highest in the Andes.
It lies just south of La Paz at the eastern edge of the Altiplano.
It dominates the city of La Paz like a sentinel on guard.
It has three prominent peaks seen from La Paz (it actually has several peaks over 6000 meters) and the most commonly climbed route is on the west face.
To climb this mountain one should have some experience and be very well acclimatized. It’s recommended to spend at least 7 days above 3000 meters and work on some high altitude trekking or climbed another 5500 meter plus peak.
Here, the magnificent peak, waiting for a storm to come… Despite the frightful image, the mountain remains peaceful among the dark clouds…

IMG_5716

At 6,438 m (21,122 ft), mount Illimani is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real, the second highest in Bolivia and the 18th highest in the Andes.

Illimani

It lies just south of La Paz at the eastern edge of the Altiplano, dominating the city of La Paz like a sentinel on guard.

Illimani

It has three prominent peaks seen from La Paz  (it actually has several peaks over 6000 meters) and the most commonly climbed route is on the west face. To climb this mountain one should have some experience and be very well acclimatized. It’s recommended to spend at least 7 days above 3000 meters and work on some high altitude trekking, before any attempt! 

Illimani

Here, this series of images display the snow capped magnificent peak, waiting for a storm to come…a very common scenario during this time of the year… Despite the frightful image, the mountain remains peaceful among the dark clouds…

IMG_5723

 

…and after the storm has passed – the calming view of the mountain, once we’re safely back home, in La Paz! 

IMG_5748

♥ Thanks for reading! Curious about the previous posts on this Photo Project?

For this week’s photo challenge, and as part of the ongoing Photo Project, ’52 Bolivian Sundays’, I’m wrapping this post up, leaving the question:  ‘What is unique?’ Some amazing bloggers have already done it! 

Author: 3rdCultureChildren

Welcome! Here I am, 'releasing' my thoughts on traveling, parenting, raising TCKs, teaching, writing, working... and who knows what else! I’m a WIFE, 'geeky-stuff' SCIENTIST, TEACHER, AMATEUR photographer, MOM of 3, TRAVELER by choice and by marriage, and of course, a HOUSEHOLD QUEEN!!

51 thoughts on “Photo Project: 52 Bolivian Sundays [week 5, ‘Unique’]: the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real.”

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    1. You’re totally right! Here in Bolivia, storms are pretty common… very scary in the beginning, and yet, very beautiful when they’re over… One grows to love and appreciate their beauty and power! Thanks for stopping by – my pleasure to share interesting posts! 😮

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  16. Did you hike in for any of the shots?
    Beautiful photos! My favorite is the top photo – the farm, the farm animals and the enormous snow capped mountain standing above it all.

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  22. Tremendously alluring and scary all at the same time! I’d love to try strolling up there some time! 🙂
    The Andes is not for messing about on, though. Obviously, it needs to be taken very seriously.

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  24. What most people will not understand from your photos is how cold it can get on the Altiplano. You freeze in the morning and night and roast at mid day. Crazy weather but love it.
    Thanks for the photos.
    Jose

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