We´d organised our major trek (14 days on the Huayhuash Circuit) the previous day. The agency offered to throw in 2 acclimitisation hikes to help us settle in to the high altitude. Our main treck crosses several high passes between 4500m and 5000m and only goes once below 4000m for the whole trip. Being acclimatised is essential for both enjoyment and health..
Our first hike was up to Laguna Churrup, in Parc Nacional Huascaran. First we were introduced to travel in Collectivo´s. Essentially someones personal minivan, these beat up vehicles loiter in public spots with a tout who gets passengers to board. There´s no timetable, they just go when they are sufficiently full to make a profit.
So up we trundle, up a rough rock and dirt road, no seatbelts, no legroom, sharing our space with a little dog, today´s shopping, tommorrows vegetables....
Eventually our guide Hiesan jumped off and motioned for us to follow. This 20 year old lad didn´t speak any English, but my basic spanish was enough to provide entertainment for all.. First we hiked up through villages, then entered the park and began on a proper type track. The altitude had us gasping, but at a reasonable pace we arrived at Laguna Churrup, 4450m.
A fantastic alpine tarn at the base of a 5 thousander alpine peak. We spent about an hour taking in the scene and sucking up the O´s..
Took us about 3 hours up and 2 hours down.
Nevado Churrup, 5485m
Steph climbs the wire through the little rock band
The standard afternoon cloud build up over the Cordillera (mountain range)
Me at Laguna Churrup (breathing hard)
Heisin leads the way back down the hill toward Huaraz
Map extract, from the Cordillera Blanca area.
No comments:
Post a Comment