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Cordillera Huayhuash

Camp Matacancha
Our first camp at Matacancha
The ten day circuit trek around the Cordillera Huayhuash is one of the most beautiful places I have been.  I used the Quechuandes agency in Huaraz to organize the trek, starting in Matacancha and ending in Llamac.  If doing the hike independently, it may be easier to start and finish in Llamac, which has more regular public transport.
Cacanan Pass in the Huayhuash region of Peru
Cacanan Pass (15,500ft)
Jumping rivers
Mount Jirishanca
The first snowcapped peak, Mount Jirishanca (20,000ft) above Laguna Mitucocha
Mitucocha Camp
Mitucocha camp #2
Off trail hike
(Day three) Ricardo led us off trail on the high route above Laguna Mitucocha.  Walter found some condor wings in the valley.
Carhuacocha Camp
Carhuacocha camp (#3)
The nights were cold, getting in the sleeping bag at three or four in the afternoon was sometimes the best option
Cordillera Huayhuash trek in Peru
Sunrise at Laguna Carchuacocha
Climbing along the eastern side of the range
(Day four) We climbed along the eastern side of the mountain range to the three lakes lookout, where we had avocado tic tic for lunch.
Avalanche waterfall at the first lake
Avalanche waterfall at the first lake
Three lakes lookout on the Cordillera Huayhuash hike
Mirador Tres Lagos
Caracara at Siula Pass
Caracara at Siula Pass (15,800ft)
Huayhuash Camp
Huayhuash Camp (#4)
Leaving the campsite on day four
(Day five) Our trip had a unique itinerary.  Sebastien and Anne did a bunch of research and decided upon going over Trapecio Pass instead of the normal route through Viconga near the hot springs.
Trapecio Pass
Trapecio
Our guide Edgar at the glacier
Our guide Edgar at the glacier
Climbing alongside Trapecio glacier
Overlook at Trapecio Pass
Trapecio Pass
Trapecio Pass hike
Cordillera Huayhuash hike
Pumpa Cuyoc Camp
Pumpa Cuyoc Camp (#5)
Snow at Pumpa Cuyoc Camp
(Day six) We woke to a fresh coat of snow and climbed to Jurau Pass, the highest point on the trail and the best view of the circuit.
Alpekka
My tentmate, Alpekka
Huayhuash circuit trek at Jurau Pass
Jurau Pass (16,600ft)
Not Much
Photo 'Not Much' by Valerio (https://pensarecoipiedi.wordpress.com)
Siula Valley at dusk
Mountain range at sunset
River crossing
(Day seven) I particularly like this photo of our group working together.  Crystal is praying and Will is wondering off looking for a better way.
Cordillera Huayhuash circuit hike
Base camp for Simon Yates and Joe Simpson in the Touching the Void experience.  The west face of the Siula Grande peak is no longer considered climbable.  The ice is even more unstable than what was described in the documentary/book.
Walking along the ridge
Hiking on the Huayhuash trek
Exploring the Cerro Gran Vista ridge
Cerro Gran Vista Ridge
Huayhuash mountain range in Peru
Edgar paying the toll
(Day eight) We went below 13,000ft for the first time on the trek, stopping in the village of Huayllapa to get drinks.
Huayllapa pit stop to get drinks
Village of Huayllapa
Sophie and the sick horse
Huatiac camp
Huatiac camp (#8)
Walter's frozen underwear
Walter's frozen underwear
The Huatiac camp was coldest of the trip.  My tentmate Pekka, who liked to sleep naked, even zipped up his sleeping bag.
Lake Susucocha
(Day nine) We climbed the final pass of the trip to the ridge of Cerro Huacrish on our way to Lake Jahuacocha
Mount Diablo Mudo and Lake Susucocha
Mount Diablo Mudo
Ridge walk on the ninth day
The ridge walk was one of the highlights of the trip.  Condors were flying this area looking for food.
Condor in the area
Ricardo telling stories
Ricardo above our final campsite
Walter relaxing
(Day ten) We finished the trek with a downhill walk to the town of Llamac and took the return bus to Huaraz.
Taking my shoes off

Cordillera Blanca Day Hikes

Chacrarju on the Laguna 69 hike
Chacraraju (20,000ft) above Laguna 69
Laguna Paron hike in the Cordillera Blanca
Laguna Paron
Laguna Shallap Hike around Huaraz Peru
Laguna Shallap
The ducks on the Laguna Wilcacocha hike
The ducks at Laguna Wilcacocha
Recent Trips (2018)
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Photos, Text and Design by Dan Arnold
Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com
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