The mountains are calling - Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca

I love mountains - and the Cordillera Blanca are among the most spectacular mountains in the world. There are seven peaks over 6,000 m (19,675 ft) including the highest peak in Peru, Huascara, at 6,768 m (22,204 ft). It is the highest peak in the tropics and the second highest peak from the center of the earth (after Chimborazo in Ecuador). The range also includes Alpamayo, known as one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The peaks are world reknown for mountaineering. When I was younger, I dreamed of going to the Cordillera Blanca to go climbing. We only had a few days in the area, and I still have aspirations to return to go trekking amongst the peaks.

The drive to Huaraz is spectacular. A long day, and as we crested the mountain range to the west of Huaraz, we decided to spend the night at the pass. It was a beautiful night, but probably not a wise idea to sleep at 4,200 m after coming from sea level. Unfortunately, Sheri got altitude sickness, making for a long night in the truck (combined with her cold that she already had). To my surprise, I did not get sick.

We got up before sunrise and headed into Huaraz (at 3,000 m), where we found a nice campground outside of the city owned by a wonderful man, Avencio, and his mother, Rogata. They gave Sheri some herbs from their garden for tea, which seemed to help her nausea, her congestion and bad cough. I very much enjoyed visiting with Avencio. He showed me a rare variety of potatoes that he had that were given to him by his grandfather. He is an electrical technician by trade, and has been all over the world working on different projects for different contractors (including the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa). He taught me different Quechua phrases including "Imainalla kashanqui" which is a greeting that translates as "How are you?". And "wayki" for friend. They also owned some of the friendliest dogs that we have met, who would happily greet us each morning.

The boys arrived in Huaraz the next day. While they recovered from the overnight bus trip, Sheri and I headed to a beautiful lake in the mountains, Lago Paron, about three hours north of Huaraz. A beautiful lake surrounded by glacial peaks. The road to the lake went past some nice rural towns and farms, and up a steep canyon with many switchbacks. I went for a short hike to a mirador overlooking the lake. A great day.

We enjoyed visiting with the the boys in Huaraz and having some meals with them. I wanted to go on a hike with them but was feeling a bit of altitude sickness from the hike the day before. We had a nice leisurely day at camp and in town. One of the things I love about Peru is seeing all the different types of hats that the locals wear that are unique to the towns from which they come.

After a few days in Huaraz, we managed to pack all our stuff and the boys' bags into the back of the truck and took the long drive with Zach, Zach, and Walter to Lima, where we had another day or so to hang out with the boys before they headed back to Utah and their lives.