Pick a Peak - list of mountains Home
← Nevado Siula Grande

West Face

5B | TD+/ED1 | V/VI Edit route
The West Face is a documented technical line on Siula Grande and is generally regarded as more difficult and serious than the classic Southwest Face. It involves steep alpine terrain with a combination of snow, ice, and likely mixed sections, depending on conditions. The face is exposed to rockfall, avalanche risk, and rapid weather changes typical of the Huayhuash. Because of the mountain's remoteness, the route demands strong self-sufficiency and careful route-finding. It is a true alpine objective rather than a trekking ascent. Publicly available details are limited compared with the famous Southwest Face, but the route is established in climbing references.

More routes on Nevado Siula Grande

Southwest Face

4B | D+ | IV/V
The Southwest Face is the best-known and most documented route on Siula Grande, made famous by the 1985 ascent and descent by Joe Simpson and Simon Yates. It is a serious alpine climb on steep snow and ice, with sustained exposure and objective hazards from weather and avalanche conditions. The route is typically approached from the Huayhuash side and climbed as a major mountaineering objective rather than a trekking peak. Conditions can vary greatly, and the face may involve mixed climbing depending on season and line chosen. It is a committing route with complex descent considerations, especially in poor visibility or unstable snow. The route is widely referenced in climbing literature and expedition accounts.
Details →