Ojos del Salado via Normal Route — February 2024 Summit Report¶

Ojos del Salado sits at the Chile-Argentina border in the most arid desert on Earth. The 8-day expedition involves driving to increasingly remote camps before the final push from Atacama Camp at 5,200m. The environment is Mars-like — salt flats, volcanic fumaroles, and the world's highest lake (at 6,390m). The summit scramble is the only technical moment on the world's highest volcano.

Trip Overview¶

Mountain: Ojos del Salado (6893m) Date: February 05, 2024 Duration: 8 days Party Size: 4 Outcome: Summit

Conditions¶

Weather: Atacama Desert clarity — nearly zero humidity. Cloudless skies for the entire expedition. Extreme UV at altitude. Snow: Minimal snow — mostly dry volcanic scree and rock. Some ice in the summit crater. Temperature: -25°C to 5°C Wind: Variable, 10-40 km/h with fierce gusts channeled through the summit couloir

Difficulty Assessment¶

The world's highest volcano is non-technical except for a short Class 3 rock scramble near the summit. The main challenges are extreme dryness (constant dehydration), altitude, and the long approach through the Atacama desert.