The major problem with the snow is that it can make the climbs much, much longer, since the snow prevents one from driving as far up the mountains. For Toco, a major snow storm can foreseeably add at least 4 km of length and 500 m of vertical gain to the climb; even without snow, this could easily make the climb take three or four times as long.

Thank you for responding; it’s very helpful to hear from someone who has been there. I think I’ll tag the Licancabur climb onto the end of a Salar de Uyuni trip and then head across to SP.

It is good to know that for the others, as well as, Moon valley, Death valley, Tatio geysers and hot springs etc. that I don’t need a guide and can just hire a 4×4. I’m not overly concerned by the wind or cold because I have appropriate clothing, but the snow would change this as I don’t have the gear for that. Fingers crossed.

While I’ve never climbed Licancabur, it’s my understanding that guides are required; it can also only be climbed from Bolivia. Sairecabur does not require guides (I’ve only been to the caldera rim, which has road access, not the summit).

The weather in town will probably be fine, but the weather on the mountains is a different story. If you’re lucky, it will just be extremely windy and cold. However, there’s generally at least one significant snow storm in June, after which most of the mountains will be inaccessible until September or October.

It seems from your blogs on both Toco and Lascar that guides are not necessary. As well as these two volcanoes I also plan to climb Licancabur and Sairecabur. Any idea on whether or not you need guides for those? I’ve read conflicting reports that guides are mandatory for Licancabur.

Weather – I will be in the SP region to do all this in the last 1.5 weeks of June. Do you have any experience with the weather at that time of year?

Thanks!
Wayne

That depends on whether or not you’re lucky; sometimes it’s fine, but sometimes it’s completely snowed out and inaccessible. The daytime high temperature is generally slightly below freezing.