I echo what others have said in the comments - this made me so emotional. Not only is it an incredible achievement, but the videography and the way you tell the story through the editing and commentary is incredibly impressive. I can't wait to follow the rest of your South America adventure!
Thank you @Christianne for sharing your experience. I've been on Huayna three times. My mother, Roswitha Stenutz, an avid Austrian backpacker and skilled Alpine mountaineer, married a Bolivian (my father) in the mid 1960s. She dearly loved Huayna and the whole Cordillera Real. She summitted Huayna 12 to 15 times I believe. Between the late 1960s and 1980s, she helped organize, guide, and towards the end also led many groups from all over Europe on Huayna. With climbing mates from diverse countries, including Japan, Canada (i believe UK also) and Bolivia, she also climbed most major peaks in the Bolivian Andes -- as well as in Peru and Aconcagua (Chile / Argentina). She would always say... "these mountains are my temple". In November 1988, the road she was driving on underneath the towering Illimani caved in. She was 43; i was 19, my sisters 20 and 16. Still miss her every day. Seeing your enthusiasm summitting Huayna brings back happy memories. If you come down to Cochabamba feel free to look me up for a hike or city tour.
What an achievement, way to push through it Christianne!!! That final ascent looks absolutely wild.. props to Jose and the other guides for doing this journey all the time
I have no idea why, but i'm sitting here with tears in my eyes after watching this video. That was so inspiring to watch. The struggles you had during the climb, you reaching the summit and then hearing you talking about it afterwards. Wow!!
Wow, I also became very emotional watching this video. Holding the tears here... It´s like watching what our bodies and minds can do when they are determined to do something and at the same time watching that really thin line between what we can and cannot do. What a channel, Christianne! Regards from Brazil.
I went solo, thinking it would be a piece of cake (1300m vertical). Boy oh boy was I wrong. I started at 12pm from the disused refuge @ 4900m and reached the summit 14.5 hrs later. I was moving like a slug above 5500m and regularly stumbling over the ice waves along side the pathway. I vomited 100meters from the summit on rocks. Now way near as much snow in September, when I did it, than other times of year
For added context, the reason you had to leave early at night and Josè was worried it was taking too long, is that by day the glacier warms and becomes more slippery and unstable, with greater risk of injury. They are concerned for your safety at all steps of the way :)
We're actually going to climb it in a couple days ! I'm a planner so it really reassures me to know what to expect : thank you for the video, now i know ! Also, just a reminder for others who want to do it : be careful and do not push yourself too hard especially if you suffer from the altitude. A man very recently died of an embolism doing it : take care of yourself first !
I summited in 2019, glad to see so many of the guides are still doing fine. They are a really cohese group of wonderful people who sometimes summit 4 to 5 times a week, and they really are the spotlight of the trip. Without them and the land management of the paths and infrastructure there would be no Huayna Potosi trips as we know them.
Congratulations on this achievement! 👏 I could never do that myself! However, I think it’s a good idea to be careful with your ego when climbing at high altitudes. Sometimes the only right decision IS to give up. Take care!
Great video i recognise so many palces and people in this video. I literally did this trek with the same company in mid September! The way down was so hard, the adrenaline dump after the summit is insane. I've been home now for 3 weeks after 5 months in South America. Feeling very nostalgic now in rainy Ireland!
What an experience. I can hear how that altitude was affecting you and it's unreal how you pushed through. Congratulations. This is something I wanna do but if it's got to you, I reckon I'm gonna have to get myself out the couch and get physically ready for something like this!
Oh my gosh what a DRAMATIC video!!! Kudos to you for such an athletic endeavor not to mention the mental toughness you had to endure. Thanks for sharing this peak experience!
You’re so strong! Congrats! I hesitated but then decided that it was not an experience for me and I think it was a good call cause I got sick with altitude doing the Inca trail and had to turn around, I would have probably suffered a lot over there 😅 thanks for letting us live it with you !
Congratulations on getting to the top! This was incredibly dangerous though, altitude sickness can lead to some very serious conditions, if someone reads this comment wanting to do this hike please read about altitude sickness and resulting conditions and be more careful than this. It worked out in this case luckily but be careful!
Brave Banana ! Jeez... watching that felt so real and raw. Scary, but the scenery made it also exhilarating. Breathtaking is the very appropriate word ! Congratulations. Good man, Jose !
I'm proud of you Christianne! I did Tiger Leaping Gorge this summer and it was the toughest thing i ever hiked. It was so bad that I couldn't finish the hike the next morning (puking, possibly food poisoning all over exhaustion) and that was at like more than half the elevation you did! Was there no oxygen tanks available? I feel like they always bring oxygen tanks for people to use or rent esp at the basecamp/other over night places? Love your videos!
Well done! Impressed by the ice climbing in particular! I tried that once and hated it. I've also done Kili but I think this climb is too difficult for me
Amazing! Congratulations. Im looking at doing this next year, the only thing I'm a little concerned about is the summit ridge, the exposure in photos looks a bit wild.. how did you find it?
It's incredible whilst you were doing this hike I was doing the Nevado del Huila in Colombia. I was actually going to email you to invite you seeing as you were in Bogota and I felt you would've loved it as its so off the beaten path. Unfortunately my group didn't make it to the summit and my group were crazy fit. The altitude just killed them, I think I could've done it but it wasn't meant to be. The hardest thing I've ever done too! I'm so impressed with your achievement. I hope to reach a summit like this one day.
This was such an amazing video. Seriously stunning, yet incredibly hardcore landscapes to be hiking in. I've never hiked with crampons, done ice climbing or hiked on ropes - this felt so adventurous. Did they require any previous experience of any of these things (assuming not crampons as I know you said you hadn't used them before!) No idea when I'll make it to Bolivia, but whenever I do, I'd love to do this!
I'm so glad you are doing the Salkantay Trek in Peru as well ! After this challenge, that Trek will feel easy for you haha but you will have a blast ! 😄
Ice climbing, yeah okay, looks cool and fun and difficult and, still doable.. but you did it in THE DARK?!! I understand the insanity, and thank you for sharing this with us. Huge congrats for making it to the top!! :D
Is that a Joy to the World guitar remix in the background 😂😂 congrats on the hike I’m planning to go to Bolivia next year not sure I could do that though!
Great video Christianne. Loving following this trip. We are also now going to travel here this Xmas. On a side note, any chance you can do a quick review of the GoPro vlogger pack (media mod) you are using. Keen to know how you are finding the mic and sound quantity. Thanks.
This was inspiring!!! I'm pretty fit but not mountain climbing fit. Honestly I'm surprised they bring total amateur climbers up that mountain!! I would try it though
Did you get insurance with the tour. Given the height of the summit I’m seeing that very few travel insurances cover that height. Curious what you did as after watching this video this has been added to my must do list for South America
It goes to show how insidious altitude sickness can be, that someone as fit and healthy as yourself can really struggle with it. I'm very glad you're ok and can't wait to see more of your Bolivian adventures!
It will really require me getting into shape above and beyond the current plan but I’m heading to Peru in October for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and now all of my overplanning can focus on the logistics of Huayna Potosi and the possibility of reaching 6000m! It looks like an amazing trip thanks for showing everything you’re doing, especially the prices. Always great to see the real considerations. Well done on summiting it’s something you’ll have with you forever!
This was amazing to watch and congratulations on pushing yourself to the top! Glad you didn’t push yourself too far though ❤ I’d love to get healthier so that I could one day be at the point of being able to do things like this! 😍 unfortunately I have a fear of trying new foods which means I basically eat like a fussy toddler and I’m just quite lazy and developed lazy habits if I’m honest with myself but I’m working on it 😅
I echo what others have said in the comments - this made me so emotional. Not only is it an incredible achievement, but the videography and the way you tell the story through the editing and commentary is incredibly impressive. I can't wait to follow the rest of your South America adventure!
wow , thank you so much for the lovely words! 😊
Thank you @Christianne for sharing your experience. I've been on Huayna three times.
My mother, Roswitha Stenutz, an avid Austrian backpacker and skilled Alpine mountaineer, married a Bolivian (my father) in the mid 1960s. She dearly loved Huayna and the whole Cordillera Real.
She summitted Huayna 12 to 15 times I believe. Between the late 1960s and 1980s, she helped organize, guide, and towards the end also led many groups from all over Europe on Huayna.
With climbing mates from diverse countries, including Japan, Canada (i believe UK also) and Bolivia, she also climbed most major peaks in the Bolivian Andes -- as well as in Peru and Aconcagua (Chile / Argentina).
She would always say... "these mountains are my temple".
In November 1988, the road she was driving on underneath the towering Illimani caved in. She was 43; i was 19, my sisters 20 and 16. Still miss her every day.
Seeing your enthusiasm summitting Huayna brings back happy memories.
If you come down to Cochabamba feel free to look me up for a hike or city tour.
Wow! I'm so sorry to hear this - thank you for sharing her story, it sounds like she had some amazing adventures! 💕
Q. E. P. D !. Paz a su alma !. Condolencias !. 🙏✌️ !.
What an achievement, way to push through it Christianne!!! That final ascent looks absolutely wild.. props to Jose and the other guides for doing this journey all the time
I have no idea why, but i'm sitting here with tears in my eyes after watching this video. That was so inspiring to watch. The struggles you had during the climb, you reaching the summit and then hearing you talking about it afterwards. Wow!!
💕🙏 Thanks for your lovely words!
Wow, I also became very emotional watching this video. Holding the tears here... It´s like watching what our bodies and minds can do when they are determined to do something and at the same time watching that really thin line between what we can and cannot do. What a channel, Christianne! Regards from Brazil.
Thanks so much ❤️ I’m glad you enjoyed the video. This is still one of my wildest travel experiences!
I went solo, thinking it would be a piece of cake (1300m vertical). Boy oh boy was I wrong. I started at 12pm from the disused refuge @ 4900m and reached the summit 14.5 hrs later. I was moving like a slug above 5500m and regularly stumbling over the ice waves along side the pathway. I vomited 100meters from the summit on rocks. Now way near as much snow in September, when I did it, than other times of year
Christi, I became very emotional watching this video. To push yourself beyond your limits, to do what others couldn’t do, You’re a Legend!
You are such an inspiration! Mountaineering is as much about the mind as it is about the body, I'm now really keen to do the same climb!!
For added context, the reason you had to leave early at night and Josè was worried it was taking too long, is that by day the glacier warms and becomes more slippery and unstable, with greater risk of injury. They are concerned for your safety at all steps of the way :)
got goosebumps when you reached the top!! wow such an achievement, absolutely insane and so inspiring... good for you christianne 💪🏼💪🏼
We're actually going to climb it in a couple days ! I'm a planner so it really reassures me to know what to expect : thank you for the video, now i know ! Also, just a reminder for others who want to do it : be careful and do not push yourself too hard especially if you suffer from the altitude. A man very recently died of an embolism doing it : take care of yourself first !
wow you guys lets give @Backpacking Bananas thumbs up she deserves it. and lets subscribe to the channel. wow what an amazing achievement
❤❤❤
I summited in 2019, glad to see so many of the guides are still doing fine. They are a really cohese group of wonderful people who sometimes summit 4 to 5 times a week, and they really are the spotlight of the trip. Without them and the land management of the paths and infrastructure there would be no Huayna Potosi trips as we know them.
wow, crazy experience, showing us the world's wonders so we don't have to. Looking forward to what you bring us next.
I hope to always bring you crazy experiences 😅😎
Congratulations on this achievement! 👏 I could never do that myself! However, I think it’s a good idea to be careful with your ego when climbing at high altitudes. Sometimes the only right decision IS to give up. Take care!
😂😂 haha you’re so right
Omg ! Almost cried when you made it to the summit 🙌🏽 and Jose giving you a hug ❤…. what an achievement!!!
Amaaaazing dedication, well done for not quitting...cannot believe how much you kept up the filming and commentary also :)
Absolutely loved this!!! You’re going to remember this journey for the rest of your life ❤
Wow what an amazing experience and so amazing to see the difficulties you had but u pushed through it. Such a personal achievement 💪🏼
Congratulations! This is a very well documented video. I got emotional when you reached the summit.
Thank you ❤️
This looked so intense but so incredible!! Honestly well done, super impressive 🙏🏼
Great video i recognise so many palces and people in this video. I literally did this trek with the same company in mid September! The way down was so hard, the adrenaline dump after the summit is insane. I've been home now for 3 weeks after 5 months in South America. Feeling very nostalgic now in rainy Ireland!
Oh wow just 1 month before me! Congrats 🥳❤️
What an experience. I can hear how that altitude was affecting you and it's unreal how you pushed through. Congratulations. This is something I wanna do but if it's got to you, I reckon I'm gonna have to get myself out the couch and get physically ready for something like this!
Congratulations!!!!!!!! Amazing achievement!!! And your hair - omg!! The view from high camp was heavenly….blankets of clouds ☁️ ☁️ ☁️
Oh my gosh what a DRAMATIC video!!! Kudos to you for such an athletic endeavor not to mention the mental toughness you had to endure. Thanks for sharing this peak experience!
Your videos are so well produced. You deserve way more followers and likes ❤ I’ve been watching your videos since your first SA trip.
Looks like a great guide service and amazingly affordable considering all that it takes. Being in La Paz really helps acclimate
You’re so strong! Congrats! I hesitated but then decided that it was not an experience for me and I think it was a good call cause I got sick with altitude doing the Inca trail and had to turn around, I would have probably suffered a lot over there 😅 thanks for letting us live it with you !
Congratulations on getting to the top! This was incredibly dangerous though, altitude sickness can lead to some very serious conditions, if someone reads this comment wanting to do this hike please read about altitude sickness and resulting conditions and be more careful than this. It worked out in this case luckily but be careful!
Congratulations, what an incredible achievement!! 👏🏼 🥳 absolutely loving this series!
Brave Banana ! Jeez... watching that felt so real and raw. Scary, but the scenery made it also exhilarating. Breathtaking is the very appropriate word ! Congratulations. Good man, Jose !
I was holding my breath watching you hike this. Out of breath at the summit as well. Congrats!😅🏔
I loveee this and so proud of you for succeeding 🥰💜
Thanks so much 🥰
Love your longer form content ♥️
Thank you 😊❤️
wow you are so inspiring. congrat on this one. thanks for sharing it. You must be so proud of your self. From now on nothing can bring you down.
That is INSANE mad props!
Thanks so much!❤️
Amazing video! You are so inspiring you truly have no idea ❤
Amazing! I have trouble with heights and the footage at the summit was a little nerve-wracking to even watch...
I'm proud of you Christianne! I did Tiger Leaping Gorge this summer and it was the toughest thing i ever hiked. It was so bad that I couldn't finish the hike the next morning (puking, possibly food poisoning all over exhaustion) and that was at like more than half the elevation you did!
Was there no oxygen tanks available? I feel like they always bring oxygen tanks for people to use or rent esp at the basecamp/other over night places? Love your videos!
Great job! you did so well for sticking it out! I can't imagine how hard that must have been
Thanks! Haha yes soooo hard!
Enhorabuena por haber llegado a la cima! Amazing👏👏👏
Dude...this was what I did on my 1st international trip! My UA-cam pic is me sitting on the knife edge! So cool! Congrats!
Well done! Impressed by the ice climbing in particular! I tried that once and hated it. I've also done Kili but I think this climb is too difficult for me
Woooooow so proud of you guys!!!!!!!! Looked super worth it!
Amazing! Congratulations. Im looking at doing this next year, the only thing I'm a little concerned about is the summit ridge, the exposure in photos looks a bit wild.. how did you find it?
I had so much respect for you already but this took the cake 😮 Go on girl, get it!!! You’re such an inspiration, Subscriber for life 🫶
This video is SO INSPIRATIONAL. Well done Christianne!🎉
Thank you so much 🥺❤️
It's incredible whilst you were doing this hike I was doing the Nevado del Huila in Colombia. I was actually going to email you to invite you seeing as you were in Bogota and I felt you would've loved it as its so off the beaten path. Unfortunately my group didn't make it to the summit and my group were crazy fit. The altitude just killed them, I think I could've done it but it wasn't meant to be. The hardest thing I've ever done too! I'm so impressed with your achievement. I hope to reach a summit like this one day.
Wow fabulous, fantastic, amazing video, never thought bolivia have this type of mountain icy glacier.
Well done on pushing through the adversity
wow you are very brave, I am from Bolivia and I don't dare to climb the huayna yet..😮
This was such an amazing video. Seriously stunning, yet incredibly hardcore landscapes to be hiking in. I've never hiked with crampons, done ice climbing or hiked on ropes - this felt so adventurous. Did they require any previous experience of any of these things (assuming not crampons as I know you said you hadn't used them before!) No idea when I'll make it to Bolivia, but whenever I do, I'd love to do this!
No experience needed its not technical climb. Still this is 6000 m so dont take it lightly.
Omfggggggg ❤️❤️this is incredibleee! So proud of you
Omg😯 What an inspiration. Can't wait for my next travel adventure
Amazing..!! That was gutsy.after such adventure, Machu pichu is going to be a walk in the park.
Omg, that looks hard, congratulations for doing it!
So, so good to watch. Love your optimism and can do spirit. Delighted you made it to the top Christianne. Amazing achievement.👍😊🏆
Absolutely incredible!! That was so moving to see you push up to the top. Congratulations! 🎉
Thank you so much, so tough but such a great achievement 🥺🙏
I'm so glad you are doing the Salkantay Trek in Peru as well ! After this challenge, that Trek will feel easy for you haha but you will have a blast ! 😄
Ice climbing, yeah okay, looks cool and fun and difficult and, still doable.. but you did it in THE DARK?!! I understand the insanity, and thank you for sharing this with us. Huge congrats for making it to the top!! :D
Eres la mejor! Congratulations! Estoy muy feliz y orgullosa de ti
Gracias 🥰🥰
Congrats 7 months later for your achievement, greetings from Brazil
Waited so much for this! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!!!
Thanks for watching! ❤️
I cried when José hugged you. Felt like a proud parent. 💕
Is that a Joy to the World guitar remix in the background 😂😂 congrats on the hike I’m planning to go to Bolivia next year not sure I could do that though!
Wow Christianne! Well done! I could never!
So proud of you for pushing thru! 👏👏
Wowzer.....this looks tough. Well done 👏🏿👏🏿
Well done for pushing youirself, looks like a really good adventure, one for the bucket list!
Great video Christianne. Loving following this trip. We are also now going to travel here this Xmas. On a side note, any chance you can do a quick review of the GoPro vlogger pack (media mod) you are using. Keen to know how you are finding the mic and sound quantity. Thanks.
amazinggg!! Thanks for sharing your experience, hoping I will climb Huayna some day
Im sure you will 😊💪🏼💪🏼
Wow this is just incredible. Totally inspiring! x
Congratulations way too go never give up keep going and you can accomplish anything
Loved the video! When you get to Hauraz, Peru make sure to do Mt. Mateo glacier!!!
Nice video. Next time you're in Bolivia try Chocolate El Ceibo, which is a much better option than Chocolate Breick
Wow! That was awesome! Congratulations for making it to the summit!
Thank you! ❤️
It’s time. Let’s get a cup of tea, snuggle in our big hoodies and watch our friend Christianne do something amazing ❤️
Congratulations on doing the trek wonderful Christie!!! 💖💖
Thanks Sean!! ❤️
Congratulations! I enjoyed this video.
Amazing vlog once again!
Thanks for watching ❤️
Good job with the climb!! It's so nice to see this journey. I was wondering if you have thought of going to Everest basecamp?
wow this is so awesome! you have inspired me to do some backpacking after school !
So glad I've inspired you! 💕
Wow! I am so impressed.
This was inspiring!!! I'm pretty fit but not mountain climbing fit. Honestly I'm surprised they bring total amateur climbers up that mountain!! I would try it though
Well done girl! You're such an inspiration x
Thank you ❤️❤️
Fantastic Cristianne that was one heck of a climb. I know this is a late comment but thumbs up to you
Just out of curiosity could you run 5km before climbing? I’ve heard the min. bar for such climbs is running 5km.
You're amazing! Brava!!!!
Did you get insurance with the tour. Given the height of the summit I’m seeing that very few travel insurances cover that height. Curious what you did as after watching this video this has been added to my must do list for South America
I completely forgot to check my travel insurance before doing this 🤦🏻♀️
Great effort. And what an experience for you 👏👏👏👏
Incredible!! Such an achievement 🏆
Thank you! ❤️❤️
It goes to show how insidious altitude sickness can be, that someone as fit and healthy as yourself can really struggle with it. I'm very glad you're ok and can't wait to see more of your Bolivian adventures!
Amazing 🙌🏾.....Good job 👏🏾
Thank you! 🥰🥰
Amazing achievement well done!!!
Well done!
Congratulations making it up to the summit. Amazing.
Thank you! I’m so pleased 🥰
It will really require me getting into shape above and beyond the current plan but I’m heading to Peru in October for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and now all of my overplanning can focus on the logistics of Huayna Potosi and the possibility of reaching 6000m!
It looks like an amazing trip thanks for showing everything you’re doing, especially the prices. Always great to see the real considerations.
Well done on summiting it’s something you’ll have with you forever!
Loving the Christmas music in the background it’s so random hahaha
Christmas music? When was that haha??
What a great adventure ! Who knew , lol. Well done !!
Really inspiring ✨️ awesome accomplishment!!!
This was amazing to watch and congratulations on pushing yourself to the top! Glad you didn’t push yourself too far though ❤
I’d love to get healthier so that I could one day be at the point of being able to do things like this! 😍 unfortunately I have a fear of trying new foods which means I basically eat like a fussy toddler and I’m just quite lazy and developed lazy habits if I’m honest with myself but I’m working on it 😅