Should I Get A Brazilian?

Crater Volcano

Cerro BERTRAND

By Jaime Suárez

main Summit

This mountain, which stands out as such on the southern edge of a large and spectacular volcanic crater, is framed within the cord, which stretches west to east, the Cordillera San Buenaventura.

Named in honor of Bertrand Alejandro Bertrand Huillard, Chilean engineer and geographer, author of Map of Chile in 1884, which defined the borders of Argentina and defending in London, author of the cadastral map of Santiago and Valparaiso and a member of the joint committee to demarcate boundaries that formed during the trial established between Argentina and Chile in early the late l890.

its height, the peak observed from Las Grutas, has just over 5,255 meters, though it is cotada the IGM to 5,207 m. S or an approximate position 26 ° 50.049 'S and 68 ° 09.794' W.

has a second summit in the northern part of the crater, with 5,188 meters and third peak, the West, 5,122 meters. But considering that many times the crater rim above the 5,100 meters, mainly in the Northeast, are in their environment more lip jutting pinnacles, which probably exceed 5,122.

Bertrand View with their peaks, from West position, 5 km. away

The crater, which only becomes apparent when you reach its edge or by looking at Google, is about 2.6 miles across from west to east and just over a 1.8 km. from north to south. Its base ranges at elevations ranging from 4,870 meters up to 4,900 and higher, depending on where the boiler is considered.

From the RN60 (RP45) in the Department of Tinogasta, Catamarca, and as near Las Grutas, the main peak is from north to just over 10 km away.

As I watched, yet carefully, never have any idea of \u200b\u200bthe existence of the beautiful crater that lies gently on its northern flank. Moreover, seeing him so far, rejecting to acclimatise, especially when it is an object of great importance, choosing other hills a little closer. Starting from the Provincial Road shelter is a long walk of over 5 hours, which must overcome a drop of about 1,200 meters. But to ascend it, while it may be easy though strenuous, is a real goal and the chance to see the beautiful crater.

Caves

Caves, where there Gendarmerie border control to transit to Copiapo, Chile, by the way San Francisco, is an old frontier settlement that had been visiting since 1991. It was initially occupied during the summer by the National Gendarmerie Provincial Roads and Catamarca, and years later, with better building infrastructure throughout the year. It is currently building a shed important National Highways.

A little over 2 miles there is an old and small hot spring pool, which boasts a modern building on it.

ideal place to enjoy, protected from the weather, a good and relaxing spa immersion.

Las Grutas, the 4,000 meters , is the ideal place for acclimatization prior to any summit attempt the Inca Huasi importance as the Eyes Salado or another.

The possibility of staying in the bunker that puts Catamarca Provincial Highway available to travelers at a very affordable price, makes the stay and the process. A solar infrastructure enables mobile phone company personnel, tend to have service.

Usually this is done for acclimatization ascent during the day, surrounding summits, as the False Morocho Morocho, or a visit to San Fancisco gaps and the most experienced and less willing to rest, passing the distance that separates them from Bertrand.

Promotion The first climbs were pre-Columbian. And in this area was abundant Inca presence. There are still, glued to the caves, the remains of stone walls in holes, in addition to the stone walls and ruins scattered around the area and the plains of San Francisco.

modern

The first ascent was made by Bertrand in 1965 by marriage and Verena Anders Bolinder baqueano along with Victor Bustamante. Don Henry Funck quoted that " its way back and at an altitude of 5000 m. found a cave in the rocks. There was no time to investigate the Inside the cave by the late hour and the strong wind forced the climbers puna to hasten its steps towards the base camp ... "

In the first half of the 90's this area was very sparsely accessed, a situation easily explained by the lack of information existed, and the hard and tortuous road access.

In 1995, they are lowered the proof of the first ascent, by Marcelo Scanu, who had made the ascent alone from Las Grutas. Marcelo ascend again in 1996 with Maria Constanza Ceruti and Nestor Perez. Remains of wood. The same group, dated 19/01/1996, climbed the Peinado. Scanu alongside Marcelo José Luis Querlico materialized in February 2008 the descent to the crater, raid during which a film was made it.

From years ago, with an excellent paved roads, and increased access mountaineers mountains Catamarca is visited the summit as very objective.

During the year, this beautiful area suffered the "creepy charm" of the roaring traffic and fast cars that make the journey Paris-Dakar. Something broke and it will break, between the stillness of the mountains.

Our expedition

Information from the beauty of the crater of Bertrand, and the inability to view it from another place but its edge, coupled with the lack of time to address its normal ascent, we made think of another alternative. Gain access to the crater by a slight variation on the route of our expedition Peinado.

On February 7, 2009 we started with Hans entering Siebenhaar from Las Grutas, a little later, from National Route 60, in position 26 ° 52.015 'S and 68 ° 14,110', at 4,800 meters, a mark North meaningful to 4x4.

At the first open at 4900 feet, and west of Bertrand, began to study a place from which to make an approximation. We turn away from the path, to observe a unique brand of old wheels, which suited us, and continue traveling on the 4,900 meters, almost glued to the contour the 5,000 and entered a small valley. It was the right place and did not correspond, although possible, continue. We were at 1.5 km. from the edge of the crater. At position S 26 ° 49.425 'and O 68 ° 11,063' to 4,935 meters high we decided to stop and leave the vehicle.

With walking sticks, a water bottle, gloves, a windbreaker and a hat, began walking. Seek first the altitude of 5,000 meters to reach after walking 500 meters. There were mounds everywhere. We had the position of the crater in our GPS so it was easy to decide where to address. Advance in the sense to tell us the browser and shortly after, laboriously, we could see the industry's highest hill west. He was about 750 meters away from the altitude of 5,000 meters. Resolutely headed toward him and shortly afterwards, having overcome some hills that stood and a short climb, we were at its peak. Position S 26 ° 49.639 'and O 68 ° 10,690'. The height of 5,122 meters and was 11 in the morning.

A little over 1 km. Southeast effect was seen in the nose Bertrand main summit. At almost the same route, from north, the camel aspect of the second summit in importance, and after this, the crest of booming Pavilion with its 5,331 meters to 5 kilometers away. Southward to 27 km. the Inca Huasi. Extended at our feet the indescribable beauty of the crater.

View from the summit West of the crater Bertrand

We took pictures and we rejoice looking at the crater, whose rim occupied all our visual horizon. Its deep in the center from an average altitude of 5,100 meters from the lip of the crater, the estimate at about 220 meters. From the summit area towards the center of the gap was about 30 degrees. Go see the whole bottom lined with sand, which in some sectors as small mounds, all studded with stones sporadically, not too big.

Thirty minutes later we were pulling our trucks to continue the adventure at the Volcano Peinado. We expected a difficult issue but we had already covered the crater of Bertrand, who was not little.

Jaime Suárez