Bergführer Anden

Scope and structure

This is an ambitious mountaineering compendium of the Andean 6000ers—from Ecuador’s Chimborazo to Chile’s Marmolejo. It’s organized geographically (Cordillera Blanca, Huayhuash, Vilcabamba/Vilcanota, Cordillera Real, Cordillera Occidental, the Puna de Atacama, Cordon de Ramada, Aconcagua area, Region Santiago), with clear section maps and then peak-by-peak entries. Front matter covers geography, safety, acclimatization, permits, grading, and time estimates, setting expectations for high-altitude travel. Each mountain entry typically provides basecamp and approach options, normal and alternative routes, seasonality, objective hazards, and short ascent histories, capped by color photos and simple overview maps. Useful end matter lists all 6000ers by height and alphabetically, each with a difficulty assessment.

What stands out for climbers

• Breadth with focus: rare to find the entire Andean 6000er range in one portable volume; coverage spans classic objectives (Alpamayo, Huascarán, Illimani, Aconcagua) and remote Puna volcanoes (Ojos del Salado, Pissis, Tres Cruces, Incahuasi).
• Pragmatic route notes: succinct descriptions flag real-world constraints—penitentes, wind exposure, stonefall on eroded volcanic slopes, water scarcity above ~4,800 m, and the value of trekking poles and sturdy shelters at windy high camps.
• Context and inspiration: brief historical vignettes (notable first ascents, speed climbs, unusual descents) elevate the guide from checklist to engaging reading between trips.
• Planning-friendly maps: regional “detail maps” help visualize access corridors and logical peak linkups for multi-summit itineraries.

Limitations to consider

• Depth varies: within 372 pages, some lesser-visited peaks get necessarily concise treatment; technical topos and crevasse-scale detail are limited. For committing routes, pair this guide with large-scale mapping, satellite imagery, and recent local beta.
• Time-sensitive logistics: park rules, road access, and glacier conditions evolve quickly. The author acknowledges this and invites corrections; readers should verify permits, seasonal restrictions, and water sources before departure.

Author and audience

Hermann Kiendler draws on extensive personal fieldwork—he provides the photos, maps, and a consistent, no-nonsense voice. The book best suits experienced alpinists and expedition planners seeking a strategic overview of objectives, conditions, and logistics across the Andes, as well as first-time Andean climbers choosing among regions.

Verdict

A uniquely comprehensive, field-savvy survey of the Andean 6000ers that balances inspiration with practical planning. Use it as your master roadmap to select targets and sketch itineraries, then supplement with current local information and detailed maps for on-the-ground execution. Strongly recommended for any mountaineer mapping a season—or a lifetime—among the high Andes.

Details

Weight

550g

Pages

372

Publisher

Panico Alpinverlag