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This imposing mountain, the second highest in the Antofagasta Region, is a geographically-isolated massif south of the Atacama Salt
Lake. During the Incan period it was a sanctuary and ceremonies were carried out at its summit. This is evident in the remains found
at its peak. There is a structure that was used as a bedroom by priests, a large circular cairn, and evidence of the ceremonies carried
out there such as firewood, statues and the remains of mice.
Pular is a strata volcano that was created approximately 13,000 years ago. Together with the Pajonales Sur and Pajonales Norte
volcanoes, it forms a volcanic cordon of about 12 km in length running from north-east to south-west. This cordon’s centre of volcanic
activity is now situated on the slopes of the Pajonales Norte Volcano.
Pular has had one small, explosive eruption which was in 1990. Due to the mountain’s isolation there is not much information on this
eruption.
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From Calama, take the international road that leads to Argentina
(Ruta 23) until San Pedro de Atacama which should be taken as km
0. Continuing on Ruta 23, you go through the town of Toconao
(2,485 m) at km 38. Leaving the town at km 40, turn west towards
the Atacama Salt Lake which is indicated with a road sign.
Continue along this route to the village of Peine, which is situated
at km 100 on the route. From Peine you continue on a sandy road
in a south-easterly direction towards the settlement of Tilomonte.
About 300 metres before entering Tilomonte, take the right fork in
the road that leads in a southerly direction towards the Tilocalar
Hills. At km 123, there is another fork in the road. Take the road to
the right that ascends zig-zagging to the highest part of the Tilocalar
Hills and then through a large plain. Continue south, using the
Llullaillaco Volcano as a reference.
The road, which is in excellent condition due to the maintenance
carried out by the personnel at the Zaldívar mine, leads to the
Negrillar station where there are wells that are used to supply water
to the mine. Continue on the road until reaching a line of pylons
that runs from west to east alongside a maintanence road which
you should take in an easterly direction. Following this road, you
will see that each pylon has a registration number. At pylon 123
you can see the whole of the Pampa Quilvar, into which it is necessary
to descend. Once on the flat ground you should head south, trying
to follow the few existing tracks, until arriving as close as you can
to the volcano, which in our expedition was roughly 20 km away.
From this point, start the approach in a south-easterly direction. This
requires quite a long time due to the high number of gullies and
holes made by rodents that make the route more difficult. On our
expedition, BC was set up four hours from the road (3,500 m) and
the approach was continued the next day, always heading towards
the north-west face of the mountain, setting up C1 at 4,280 m. |
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From C1 the approach continues, heading south-east to start the
ascent of the massif on its extreme right and set up HC, which in
our expedition was at 5,080 m.
From HC, the route to the summit starts on a scree slope that can
be climbed on its right or left hand side and which is the access
route to a large plateau at 5,300 m. It is exposed to very strong
winds which make the advance very difficult. After crossing the
plateau the route to the summit is quite direct, via a pass in between
two false summits. The real summit is to the right of the pass, a few
metres behind.
The descent follows the same route as the ascent.
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• No special permits are required to climb Pular but you should
inform the police in San Pedro de Atacama of your expedition,
giving them a letter showing participants, nationalities, passport
or ID numbers, details of activities and specific itineraries, dates,
route and a map of the area.
• It is recommended to contact the Club Social Andino in San Pedro
de Atacama, who can help with contacts and information for the
approach and at the Negrillar station (minera Zaldívar).
• The best transport option is to take a 4x4 vehicle. See appendix
for recommendations. Take sufficient fuel in Calama as you cannot
be assured of fuel in San Pedro.
• If you do not have your own transport it is recommended that
you contact Regimiento Reforzado No 1 Topater in Calama and
the respective PARME (Patrulla de Rescate de Montaña del Ejército,
Army Mountain Rescue Patrol) to ask for support. It is also possible
to get accommodation at the Topater Regiment.
• A good transport option is offered by Manuel González in Calama
(mobile: 87439321), who has a great knowledge of the area and
mountain activities.
• You should buy provisions in Calama as San Pedro is the only
other place where small quantities of provisions can be bought.
• It is recommended to take equipment and clothing suitable for
high altitude mountaineering. As part of the equipment it is
recommended to take an ice axe and crampons.
• Take sufficient water for the whole expedition as there are no
permanent sources of water.
• This area is affected by the so-called 'Alti-Planic winter', with an
unstable climate and intense precipitation between the months
of December and March. It is strongly recommended that you do
not climb during this period. The winter months (June - August)
are more stable but overnight temperatures are close to -30º C.
The spring months (September – December) are the most
recommended as the climate remains stable and the temperatures
are higher. |
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