Cordillera
Huayhuash Trekking
5-17 July 2005 (13 days)
The icy,
intimidating peaks of Rondoy and Yerupaja, above the Laguna Solteracocha.
Relatively
unexplored by outsiders until the 1950's, the Cordillera Huayhuash
is one of the classic trekking destinations of the world.
In our variation, we will cross several high passes and camp alongside
trout-filled lakes. After traversing the length of the Huayhuash,
we'll continue along through the equally remote Cordillera Raura.
The trek will ultimately take us to the village of Mina Raura,
and Laguna Ninococha, the source of the Amazon!
We'll
also have the opportunity to ascend the non-technical peak of
Nevado Leon Huaccanan. The climbing isn't difficult, but
crosses glaciers and snow slopes, and requires the use of ice-axe,
crampons, rope, and harness. No prior glacier travel or
snow climbing experience is necessary, but this optional ascent
is strenuous and a high level of fitness is required.
The
Quechua culture is strongly present in the villages of this part
of Peru, and it's not uncommon to encounter campesinos
who speak only Quechua.
The
abundant native flora and fauna includes puma, condors, vicuna,
and several varieties of over-sized flowering lupines.
The
route is inspiring with it's breath-taking beauty, and requires
a high level of commitment and stamina.
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Day
1 The group meets in Lima. We'll travel by
bus to Huaraz, the hub of Peru's adventure tourism. We'll
stay in a comfortable, family-run hotel, and have an opportunity
to check everyone's equipment. Huaraz, at 3,000 Meters,
is also an ideal place to begin acclimatizing to the altitudes
we'll encounter on the trek. Hotel lodging.
Day 2
A relaxing morning in Huaraz gives us a chance to recover from
the long flight from home. A mountain-bike ride in
the foothills of the Cordillera Negra will lend spectacular vistas
of the towering Cordillera Blanca, and the many of Peru's Highest
peaks, including Huascaran.
In he afternoon,
we'll transfer via private mini-van to the charming village of
Chiquian. Here is where we'll prepare our loads for the
burros, as well as meet our local arrieros and cook. Hotel
lodging.
Day 3 Only
a few years ago, Chiquian was the end of the road and the starting
point for Huayhuash treks. Now the road pushes through to
Llamac, where our trek begins. We'll rise abruptly above
the village, cross the pass of Punta Llamac, and make our way
to Laguna Jahuacocha. From our camp, we'll have the range's
mightiest peaks as a back-drop; Rondoy, Jirishanca, and Yerupaja.
Day 4 We'll
give our bodies an opportunity to acclimatize today, which will
be needed in the days to come as we cross several passes over
4500M! We'll leave camp at Laguna Jahuacocha, and enjoy
a day-hike to the high lake of Laguna Solterococha, where the
high peaks seem close enough to touch, and descend back to Jahuacocha.
Day 5 We leave the beautiful
Laguna Jahuacoch and ascend the slopes of Cero Minapata.
Working westward, we make our way into the Quebrada Rondoy, and
follow it down into the Quebrada Cuncush, the headwaters of the
Rio Llamac. We'll make camp here, below the slopes of the
Cacananpunta Pass.
Day 6 This
morning, our first obstacle is the Cacananpunta Pass, 4700M.
We'll camp tonight on the shores of the beautiful Laguna Mituacocha
at 4200M. Anyone bringing fishing equipment will be rewarded
with plenty of fat and feisty trout!
Day 7 After
a few hours of up-hill morning walking, we'll encounter the Carhuac
Pass, 4650M, a great place for lunch. Lake-side camping
awaits at Laguna Carhuacocha, 4140M, with views of Jirishanca,
Yerupaja, and Siula.
Day 8 The
trekking today takes us over the strenuous Carnicero Pass, at
4600M. We'll enjoy a lunch break at the scenic Carnicero
lakes, then continue on to our camp at Laguna Jarua, 4350M.
Our camp at Laguna Jarua is quite close to the village of Huayhuash,
from which the mountain range takes its name.
Day 9 Here is where the regular
Huayhuash trekking circuit branches south and eventually leads
back to Chiquian. Our route, however, follows the valley
of the Rio Huayhuash, crossing in one place over a natural bridge,
and through the village of Caquish. From Caquish, we ascend
again to the low pass at Punta Yanajirca, 4,540M. We'll
eventually make our way to the twin lakes of Laguna Tactapaca,
our camp for the night.
Day
10 For the ambitious, today
will be a chance to ascend Nevado Leon Huaccanan. We'll
need rope, crampons, harnesses, and an early start! For
those less inclined, today is a great opportunity for fishing
and photography.
Day
11 The final day of trekking takes us past a multitude
of lakes, which are the source of the headwater streams which
combine to form the Rio Maranon. We'll make camp on the
shores of Laguna Ninococha, the accepted source of the mighty
Amazon.
Day
12 We'll back-track a few miles today and rejoin
the civilized world. The end of our trekking adventure is
at the village of Mina Raura. There's plenty of time today
to explore more of the neighboring lakes, enjoy a bath, and maybe
even catch some trout for lunch we'll enjoy a celebration of Pachamanca,
a traditional Quechua meal cooked in an earth-covered style similar
to the Hawaiian Luou. We'll organize and re-pack
our gear in preparation for tomorrow's journey to Lima, and flights
home.
Day
13 From Mina Raura, we'll transfer via private mini-van
to Lima airport. We'll arrive quite early into the day,
making it possible to connect with evening flights, or we can
arrange lodging if you'd like to extend your visit.
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