We found that climbing this 5800+m peak was very safe. Safer than any other South American trek we have done. But it is unpoliced. You are on your own up there.
Guides told us the 3-day trek route is completely safe from thieves as it is so remote. But hikers have been robbed on the 2-day climb which is close to Arequipa. Do not bring money with you on that route.
Another worry which may jump to mind is eruption. Misti is active and has acted-up 5 times in the last hundred years. The odds of eruption without warning when you happen to be on top are minuscule.
The real worry is altitude sickness. Going from Arequipa to the base camp tent site is a jump of close to 2600m!
Sleeping at 4800m is extreme!
Altitude sickness
- mild symptoms are common: headache, loss of appetite, dizziness, difficulty sleeping
- severe symptoms: breathlessness, cough, lack of coordination, & worse
- most hikers get some symptoms above 2500m
- acclimatizing 2-3 days for each 1000m gain helps a lot
- Cuzco is at 3326m, Arequipa only 2230m
- on Misti you sleep 2 nights at 4800m!
- Acute Mountain Sickness <details> can be fatal
- drug treatment is controversial <details>
- better is to immediately descend to the dam if you get sick
|
To help acclimatize we went first to the Colca Canyon, sleeping 2 nights in Cabanaconde (3287m) & one night in Tapay at near that altitude. This reduced the gain in altitude to closer to 1500m. We had no real problems with altitude on Misti.
But altitude sickness is very unpredictable. Very individual.
We were ready to pack up the tent & descend if necessary.
Check this list. Forewarned is forearmed. Take responsibility for your own health & safety.
