Route to Pico Humboldt in Mérida

One of the best hiking routes you can undertake in Venezuela: the route to Pico Humboldt in the state of Mérida. Unfortunately, it is the only peak in the country that still has a permanent glacier. Global warming has been diminishing its extent until barely a fraction of what it was some years ago remains. The journey to this summit is an adventure you will never forget, one that requires optimal physical and mental condition given the demands and difficulty of its trail, together with the great weight one carries — since, being a high-mountain expedition, it requires equipment and food for about 4 days, which represents a real challenge for the mountaineer. It can be done in less time, but it is worth staying the 4 days to witness the great beauty that awaits in the surroundings of the numerous lagoons you encounter along the way, and to wait for the best weather to ascend the mountain. The approximate budget for undertaking this route is 18 USD, and this entails giving up many comforts. A general recommendation for undertaking this route is to research the weather and the appropriate season very well; this is not something that remains stable over time, so when the moment approaches, you will have to make the pertinent inquiries. Very rainy weather can make your trip highly problematic and cold; on the other hand, very sunny weather can be inconvenient if what you want is to have contact with the snow. One could say that the best is mixed weather — rainy on some days and sunny on others — so that there will be a greater probability of enjoying all the attractions of the route in a comfortable environment. Up to the “Laguna Verde” campsite, only conventional hiking equipment is required; if you want to traverse the glacier, then equipment for snow progression will be necessary. © Alejandro Guipe | All Rights Reserved.