Peru
Urus:
Ishinca:
Tocllaraju:
Ranrapalca: The Cordillera Blanca of Peru offers some of the finest climbing in the world. These spectacular, ice clad mountains reach over 20,000 feet. They are dotted with turquoise lakes and surrounded by colourful local culture. It is the perfect range location for a climber going to altitude for the first time, or for those already experienced to explore a different range. The town of Huaraz (9500 feet), is the base for our trips. We start acclimating our first night in Peru from the comfort of our hotel. Access to the climbs involves a short drive down the valley and a hike to base camp, with donkeys carrying our gear. The short approaches allow a high altitude expedition with a much shorter time frame than many other ranges. While the weather can never be guaranteed, the stable "dry season" offers good chances of fine weather and good conditions. Remote and exotic, Peru is still more accessible than some areas of North America. The Ishinca valley is a beautiful high alpine valley ringed with snowy peaks up to 20,000 feet. It offers aesthetic climbs over a broad range of difficulties. Our base camp will be at 14,000 feet, still in the green valley bottom but close enough to climb most mountains in a day. Once we reach base camp the itinerary is open and we can choose peaks according to our condition. Dates: June
16-30, 2004 Includes:
Not Included:
Requirements: Good physical condition will help with your success and enjoyment of this trip. While previous mountaineering experience is an asset it is not required. Previous experience with altitude will also help you understand what to expect at altitude but is not required. Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Lima early in the morning. We meet at the airport and take a taxi to the bus station. It is an all day ride to Huaraz. Day 2: Day hike to Churup Lake and return to our hotel in Huaraz.
Day 4: A light hike to explore the valley and get more acclimated before starting on more serious climbs. Day 5-11: We will start by reviewing techniques for crampons, glacier travel and climbing as necessary for the group. The rest of our time in the valley will be spent climbing according to the goals and conditions of the group. This is one of the beauties of the Ishinca; you can choose to climb or to rest for the day in base camp without hindering the rest of the group. There are many objectives to choose from ranging from easy walk-ups, to more demanding steep ice climbs. Some of these include Ishinca (18,138), which involves straightforward glacier travel and a large elevation gain; Urus (18,023) is steeper than Ishinca but not as high; Tocllaraju (19,785), which is more demanding and requires a high camp for the summit bid; and Ranrapalca, which at 20211 feet is one of the highest peaks bordering the valley. This offers steep ice climbing for those with more experience. Day 12: Hike out and back to our hotel in Huaraz. Day 13: Bus departing for Lima in the mid morning. For those going on to Alpamaya, there is a free day in town. |
Day
3:
A short drive and then a four hour hike brings us to our base camp
in the Ishinca valley. Donkeys carry most of our gear and we hike in
just a light day pack. 
