Third stage of the Huayhuash trek, we wake up to clear skies at the Carhuacocha campsite, amazing!
Huayhuash
The third stage takes us from Carhuacocha camp to Huayhuash camp at 4,290 metres, via the Siula pass at 4,800 metres. Distance: 15 kilometres, 700 metres of elevation gain.
As every morning, Ricardo arrives at 5.30 am to offer us coca tea to wake us up, and what an impressive wake-up call it is. It has been clear all night and the tent is frozen on the outside, today 5 degrees below zero.
Huayhuash
We pack up and have breakfast: today, crepes with chocolate syrup, quinoa soup with pineapple, cereal with fruit and yoghurt, and black tea. Wonderful.
Today our snack is tangerines and biscuits.
We begin walking around Lake Carhuacocha, the images speak for themselves. The reflections of the snow-capped Siula and Jerupaja mountains take our breath away.
Huayhuash
Huayhuash
We left the lagoon and headed towards Paso Siula. Along the way, we saw some small animals that looked like rabbits but had long tails, known as vizcachas.
Our first stop was at the Gangrajanca lagoon viewpoint. The cerulean colour of its waters and the snow-capped mountains surrounding it were impressive; it was truly breathtaking. We walked from one side of the viewpoint to the other, trying to take in the best views.
During this stage, we meet a group of very nice Israeli boys several times.
We continue towards the viewpoint of the three lagoons: Gangrajanca, Siula and Quesilococha. The slope is constant and steep for at least a kilometre, but the views are worth the effort.
Huayhuash
Huayhuash
From the viewpoint, we observed the three lakes together, the snow-capped Siula Grande, Siula Chico, Sarapo, and Carnicero, which has an impressive glacier.
After stopping for lunch, we continued on our way until we reached the Siula Pass. The last three hundred metres are quite steep and difficult to climb. The Siula Pass is at 4,800 metres. We took a short break to eat a few metres below, where Giovanni and Freddy were waiting for us with a delicious meal. What more could we ask for?
We began the descent from the pass to the Huayhuash camp at 4,290 metres.
To our right were the snow-capped mountains Jurau and Carnicero, although it was starting to cloud over.
Huayhuash
Surrounding the lagoons and enjoying the birds that inhabit them, we arrive at the Huayhuash camp, facing the snow-capped Trapecio and Jurau mountains, which are hidden by clouds. In the past, this camp was located at the Quesilococha lagoon, but Ricardo told us that the environment was being degraded, so they moved the location a few metres.
We inflate our mattresses as we do every day and go for a snack, today coca tea with popcorn. The group is great and we laugh a lot.
The afternoon turns very cold. Remember that above 3,500 metres you always have to sleep with your head covered with a hat. Holy has a hard time on those days, he can't sleep because of the cold and asks for hot water to put in his sleeping bag.
Dinner is at 6 p.m. as usual, soup and fried aubergine with potatoes. Delicious.
It doesn't look like it will clear up tonight, but let's hope we're lucky and it's sunny tomorrow.
Huayhuash Trekking with Franpisco Adventure €446/person (500$) for 5 days, not including the entrance fee to the indigenous community (220 soles/person)
- Log in to post comments
