South America, Columbia, Cordillera Oriental, Alto Ritacuba and Other Peaks

Publication Year: 1982.

Alto Ritacuba and Other Peaks, Cordillera Oriental. In late December 1980, I made alone the following ascents: from a camp near Laguna (lake) de Cardenillo, Nevado Alto Ritacuba (5464 meters, 17,926 feet) on December 24, Ritacuba Norte (Nevado de Güicán 5257 meters, 17,250 feet) on December 25 and Puntiagudo (5019 meters, 16,466 feet), the following day. I paid the Sierra Nevada de Cocuy a second visit in February 1981. With a Frenchman named Thierry, I ascended on February 17 Nevado Concavito (also called Pan de Azúcar, 5174 meters, 16,974 feet) and then traversed to the summit of Nevado del Cóncavo (5268 meters, 17,285 feet). The next day I climbed alone Los Portales (4860 meters, 15,945 feet), a second ascent. An attempt on Nevado del Púlpito (5210 meters, 17,093 feet) was thwarted by thick mist.

Crispin Heath, Pereira, Colombia