Nevado del Cocuy

Description

Heading Northeast from Bogota by road along the Autopista al Norte, a right turn towards the village of Cocuy will appear after about five hours.

At Cocuy the villagers will show you the path leading to the mountain. Along this path are some of the largest amonite fossils you'll ever see. Some over a meter in diameter. After about an hour or so trudging up the barren dip slope (mountain is not volcanic), you'll come across a delightful flat, grassy camping spot by a small stream.

From here to the glacier is a steepish slog of about an hour. The glacier is very gently sloping and the peak is visible about two hours further on.

Be careful on the glacier. Be sure to rope up. Several well-hidden crevasses exist. The only bit that isn't a walk are the final few meters to the pointy top. Steepish snow over the very exposed northeast face will get your attention!

Allow three days from Bogota. Take tents.

Thanks to inghams3 for this description.