Normal Route (Refugio Tejos / Refugio Atacama side)

This is the standard and best-documented way to climb Ojos del Salado. It is a non-technical high-altitude ascent on volcanic scree, sand, and broken rock, but the extreme elevation makes it serious. The route is usually climbed from a high camp or refuge on the Chilean side, with long acclimatization and careful pacing essential. Objective hazards include cold, wind, dehydration, and altitude sickness rather than technical climbing difficulty. In normal conditions no fixed protection is required, though snow or ice can appear seasonally on upper slopes. It is generally considered the mountain’s easiest established summit route.