Friday 21 June 2013

Alpamayo Circuit

We caught a combi to Caraz and a taxi up the rough gravel road to the road end at Hualcayan.

Climbing steeply up past terraces


Looking down on Hualcayan


Looking down at the first campsite. 
After passing through this camp a train of over 20 donkeys arrived, shortly followed by their 10 clients.

A cold morning on day 2


Laguna Cuillicocha with the Santa Cruz North behind



Santa Cruz (6259m) on the right



Alpamayo valley

A brief glimpse of the famous northern aspect of Alpamayo (5947m), the view that earned it it's coveted title of most beautiful mountain in the world by the German Alpine Club in 1966. I guess they didn't visit Mount Aspiring as part of their deliberations.

Out camp at the head of the Alpamayo valley with the mountain itself hidden in the clouds


Climbing up to Garagara pass (4830m) from the Alpamayo valley on day 3




The north western side of the pass range consists of high country , less rugged than on the other side of the pass

Mesapata


Heading up to our third pass of the day from Huillca


Pucajirca (6050m) from the pass





Pishgopampa. Those doing just the Alpamayo trek head north from here to Pomabamba

Tupatupa

The northern side of Taulliraju (5830m) obscured by clouds

Fourth night at Laguna Huecrococha


Heading up to Alto Haepucoraju (4600m)


Approaching Punta Union and access into the head of the Santa Cruz valley and the east side of Taulliraju




The impressive south face of Taulliraju, looks like 700m of steep ice.

Looking down the Santa Cruz valley to Laguna Jatuncocha


Artesonraju (6025m) made famous by being the Paramount Pictures mountain



Looking down at the debris flow from the landslide