The Apolobamba 2002 Expedition was a mountaineering venture undertaken by four Imperial College climbers who set out to explore and climb in Bolivia’s remote Cordillera Apolobamba. The team selected Bolivia for its combination of high, quiet mountains, minimal bureaucracy, and the opportunity to explore a largely unfamiliar region.
After flying through Miami to La Paz, the team spent several days acclimatising while arranging transport, supplies, fuel, and embassy registrations. From La Paz, a hired jeep carried them to the village of Antaquilla, from which a series of porters, mules, and local negotiations ultimately enabled them to reach Nubi Pampa and establish a base camp beside Lago Pauoche. The approach involved navigating marshes, glacial moraines, and unpredictable weather including multiple hail and snowstorms.
From base camp the team completed several exploratory trips and ascents. Their first major climb was Peak C2 (also known as Jacha Huaracha), where deep snow, cornices, and poor weather forced them to turn back just short of the true summit. They later established a high camp and successfully climbed Nevado Nubi (5710m), completing a challenging ascent through deep snow, crevasse fields, and steep neve slopes. A stormy descent added significant difficulty. Additional climbs included Peak C17 (c. 5500m), achieved by a faster, lightweight ascent of the eastern ridge.