I arrived about a week ago in Huaraz, the small mountain town in the Andes, that I am to call home for the next month. I am working at the Mountain Institute, an NGO that works with a number of project protecting the endagered ecosystems of the high Andes, currently trying to protect the Queñua woodlands - the Polylepis trees. But to really understand the landscape that I am working to protect, I had to leave town and go on one of the many treks that start out from the valleys around Huaraz. One of the most classic treks is Santa Cruz, 4 days in the Cordillera Blanca. Unfourtunately, not the best season to be treking in, but I set out together with another group of mad tourists - Isrealis, just out from the army service.
Optimists before starting out....
The first day we made our way through the canyon starting at the small village of Cashapampa. I soon realised that climbing up, I had to take it slowly but steady... We followed the river all the way out to the first campsite, rushing along in some impressive rapids.
View from the first campsite.
From all sides, throughout the trek, huge amounts of water plummet down from the snowcovered peaks, streaking white down the dark mountain.
The second day, we pass two small lakes and head out over the flat pastures, where the villagers keep their livestock.
View back down towards the valley.
A welldeserved break. Edwin, our guide, does not seem very affected, and grins at our weary faces.
We make our way to Alto Mayo Base camp to enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks. 2nd night we camp not far from the pass, which we tackle early tomorrow.
The pass looks grim, cloudy and full of snow...
Hurrah! Made it! Climbing up mountains in high altidude is bloody hard.... And yes, it is as cold as it looks!
The landscape on the other side changes completely, the golden Puna (highland) is spotted with small lakes, reflecting the snowcovered peaks. If we thought we had got over the worst we were wrong - the campsite turned out to be miles away.... A very long day, and the drenching we got towards the end did not make things any better.... A blister on one of the girls feet slowed us down considerably, but gave me plenty of time to take pictures!
We cross a couple of small patches of Queñua woods, and I experience the beauty of these mysterious trees. The Polylepis are extremely slowgrowing and dense, and therefore make very good firewood and building material. The pressure of human settlements has all but destroyed this habitat, only 1% of the Andean forest is of this type. This ecosystem contains many endangered birds and plant spieces that can only survive here, and as the woods help retain water and soil, it is of extreme importance for the whole region that they are protected. There, that ends todays lesson in global ecology......
The walk back up the next day takes us through a number of small villages, with a crowd of children begging for bon bons and chocolate.....
A lot less clean, and far more tired than when we started - but extremely happy to have seen such amazing landscapes....
Even on a rainy day the water from the glacier turns this lake an amazing colour.
2 comments:
We're very impressed by what you achieved on that trek, Lucy! You must be getting very fit by now. Tim and Elisabeth
Salut misstinguette,
tu me fais rêver avec tes aventures. Je fais régulièrement passer tes images autour de moi et je crois que tu fais naître des envies d'ailleurs à un bon nombre de personnes... Profite!!! et continues à nous donner de tes nouvelles.
Milbiz de panam'
Jul
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