We climb to the summit of Pico Austria (5350 meters) with two very friendly guides, Pedro and José, from the agency “Bolivian Mountaineering”. The hike is about a two-hour drive outside of La Paz. Mark, a Californian in his thirties, joins us. For him, this is an acclimatization for his future ascent of the Huayna Potosi (6088 m).

The hike begins at 4487 meters of altitude with a moderate climb to the Laguna Chiar Khota. Then the path becomes much steeper and demanding, we soon pass the 5000 meters limit. Breathing becomes more and more difficult and the rhythm slower. Short of breath and at a very slow pace, we cross a last steep section before reaching the summit after four hours of ascent. What a reward, from the summit we have a fantastic 360° view: below, the lagoons Juri and Chiar Khota, on the horizon the lake Titicaca and the Altiplano, and around us the Condoriri mountain range, the giant Huayna Potosí and numerous glaciers.