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| CHACALTAYA - BOLIVIA Chacaltaya is in La Paz of Bolivia. This mountain, at an altitude of 5486 metres, is equipped with beautiful views and the world's highest ski area. Because of its proximity to La Paz and the easy access, it is a popular place to acclimatize before climbing higher peaks. The ski lift is said to be the oldest in the world and almost never operates. Chacaltaya is a glacierial mountain range in Bolivia with an elevation of 5421 m (17,785 feet) and a view of Lake Titicaca in the distance. The glacier is about 30 km from La Paz, near Huayna Potosí mountain. As it is one of the highest glaciers in South America, Chacaltaya is also one of the first glacial ranges to decrease markedly in size due to climate change. Although the glacier is over 18,000 years old, over 80% of it has melted since 1987 and it is expected to disappear by 2008 The refugio and ski lift is run by the Club Andino Boliviano founded in 1939 by a group of enthusiasts. The current ski lift and the skis available for rent date from the seventies and the guys running the refugio are even older. Soon there will probably be no more skiing on Chacaltaya as the glacier is melting due to global warming. Rumors say they are planning a new lift on the larger mountain Mururata. Going up to the mountain you'll see the earth change to every color imaginable, with the towering peaks of Huayna Potosi, Illimani and Mururata seemingly within reach. This is a mining area and the many different metals in the ground makes for the colorful scenery. In the distance you'll see El Alto and La Paz and, on clear days, even Volcan Sajama. The glacier on Chacaltaya serves as Bolivia's only ski resort. It is the world's highest lift-served ski area, the northernmost ski area in South America as well as the world's most equatorial. The rope tow, the very first in South America, was built in 1939 using an automobile engine; it is notoriously fast and difficult, housed in the site's original clapboard lodge where it is rumored currently to be inoperable. The road to the base of the 200 m drop is reached by a narrow road, also built in the 1930s. Because it is too cold to ski in the winter, the lift operates exclusively on weekends from November to March, making Chacaltaya the only ski resort in South America to have a ski season corresponding to that of North America. The site was developed and still operated by the Club Andino Boliviano, though increased global-warming has diminished the annual snowfall and dramatically decreased skiing areas HOW TO REACH By bus - In summer (rainy season, ski season), there might be a bus on weekends when/if the ski lift operate. In winter only, there are combined tours of Chacaltaya and Valle de la Luna runs. It gives you 40 minutes on the mountain and cost Bs. 50 to 75. It is not enough time to get used to the altitude, however. Check if admissions and snacks are included in the price. By taxi - From La Paz it takes 1-1.5 hours and costs between Bs. 200 and 240, depending on your bargaining skills. The drivers will wait up to three hours while you take in the views from the top. From El Alto it takes one hour and costs Bs. 100 after bargaining. Green Micros run from central La Paz to Plaza Ballivian in El Alto for Bs. 1. |