There have been only a few successful ascents of the peak because it is one of the hardest Andean high peaks to climb. The most popular route is the southwest face. The approach is normally made from Huaraz southwards via Chiquián and Jahuacocha.
Notable ascents
1950 Southern flank of West Face FA[clarification needed] of peak by David Harrah and James Maxwell.[2]
1966 Direct West Face 2nd ascent of peak, FA of route over 13 days by Leif Patterson and Jorge Peterek.[2]
1968 Northeast Face FA of route by Chris Jones and Paul Dix (summit, July 30), supported by Dean Caldwell and Roger Hart (all US).[3]
2002 Main summit solo by Santiago Quintero (July 15)[5]
Elevation
Based on the elevation provided by the available Digital elevation models, SRTM2 (6558m with voids[6]), SRTM filled with ASTER (6551m with voids[7]), TanDEM-X(6110m with voids[8]), Yerupaja is about 6635 meters above sea level.[9][1] This altitude was considered due to the lack of topographic data or even handheld GPS data.[1]