Huaytapallana
Today we finally travelled right up into the surrounding mountains close to Huancayo. The destination was the mountain of Huaytapallana and its associated glacier. Neither of us were sure how our bodies would react to a jump in altitude above 4800 m, but when the day was done we were both feeling okay, just a little wary. A two hour drive from Huancayo brought us to the starting point along with seven other hikers and a guide. The six hour hike was tough over rough terrain and at altitude, but the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. The colours of the lake at the base of the snowy ridge were exquisite, and the area pristine. We finally saw some herds of llama high up on the slopes. Domestic animals have obviously taken the place in many areas of the historic dependence on the indigenous wildlife, but high up on the andean slopes, the llama has its place.
Today we finally travelled right up into the surrounding mountains close to Huancayo. The destination was the mountain of Huaytapallana and its associated glacier. Neither of us were sure how our bodies would react to a jump in altitude above 4800 m, but when the day was done we were both feeling okay, just a little wary. A two hour drive from Huancayo brought us to the starting point along with seven other hikers and a guide. The six hour hike was tough over rough terrain and at altitude, but the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. The colours of the lake at the base of the snowy ridge were exquisite, and the area pristine. We finally saw some herds of llama high up on the slopes. Domestic animals have obviously taken the place in many areas of the historic dependence on the indigenous wildlife, but high up on the andean slopes, the llama has its place. 