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This large volcano on the border with Argentina has a wide, open amphitheatre facing north-east. It was formed after a catastrophic
eruption about 7,200 years ago, comparable to the eruption that decapitated Mount Saint Helen in the United States. According to
experts, this eruption reduced the height of Socompa by 300 metres, generating one of the most extensive deposits of detritus in the
world, over an area of approximately 600 km2.
Socompa is located to the north-east of the train station of the same name which is on the line that crosses the border with Argentina.
It is an area especially prone to earthquakes and it is still possible to see fumaroles about 100 metres below the summit.
As with many of its neighbours, Socompa is a great archaeological treasure, having been the site of numerous Incan ceremonies.
Remains have been found during ascents of the mountain, including semicircular stone walls at 5,000 m, firewood, three groups of
cairns in a pass at 5,700 m and, most interestingly, there is probably a cemetery on its north slope.
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From Antofagasta take the road that leads in a south-easterly
direction towards the La Escondida mine. About 700 metres east
of La Escondida is P-12, the mine’s security guard office. From here
you should continue towards the Socompa border post on Route
B-55. After leaving the security office, the road becomes a dust road
that is in passable condition and follows the train line from Antofagasta
to Socompa.
This road goes through well-signed MINE FIELDS, and passes a
beautiful, abandoned train station called Monturaqui where it is
possible to rest in the shade of the few trees that are there.
The approach to Socompa starts on foot from the border post
(3,880 m) where it is also possible to set up a camp site for the
process of acclimatisation. The volcano is situated north-east of this
point and its summit is approximately eight km in a straight line
from the border post.
It is quite a long walk to the place where you can set up BC. To get
there you should keep walking in a northerly direction, until a height
of about 5,000 m, a place where the wind can reach up to 80 km/h.
The slope until this point doesn’t exceed 25º and there is no potable
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From BC, continue in a northerly direction until climbing a false
summit ridge from where you can see clearly a pile of rocks and a
piece of wood tied with a white strap. From this point you descend
about 60 metres, between rocks, towards the north-east, in order
to enter a small V-shaped valley that runs in an easterly direction.
After 1.5 km you arrive at the slope that leads to the summit. This
starts at an altitude of 5,400 m and has a slope of hard snow and
ice of about 50º. Climb this slope in a northerly direction using
crampons in order to avoid going up the scree. From this point you
have a clear view of the summit.
The descent is relatively easy if there is a sufficient number of hours
of daylight remaining. It is carried out using the same route as the
ascent. Once you are at the border post the police offer transport
to the La Escondida mine.
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• No special permits are required to climb Socompa but you should
inform the police in Antofagasta 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. As the mountain is on the border, foreigners must
ask for permission from DIFROL (www.difrol.cl).
• The police in the Socompa station are a very important source of
information regarding the ascent route.
• The best transport option is to take a 4x4 vehicle. See appendix
for recommendations. Buy sufficient fuel in Antofagasta or at the
crossing with Ruta 5 as there are no other places to buy it during
the rest of the journey.
• If you do not have your own transport the police in Antofagasta
can arrange transport between the La Escondida mine and the
police station at the Socompa border crossing. There is also the
possibility of accommodation in the police station.
• It is recommended to take equipment and clothing suitable for
high altitude mountaineering. As part of the equipment it is
recommended to take ropes, harness, 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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