My wife and I just returned from an 18 day trip to Peru where we tried to see as much as possible by trekking in the Cordillera Blanca and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
It was a hard trip, but well worth it. Peru is so rich photographically and the people are very warm. When taking people photos while trekking, I simply asked "uno foto por favor?" and they were happy to pose. Then I would show them their picture on the LCD.
In the first week, we trekked the popular Santa Cruz route and acclimatized by crossing Punta Union Pass - 15, 560'. We worked our way to Pisco Base Camp and camped on the glacier moraine below the peak. We started our climb at 3:30 am and I took this photo of Huandoy Peak just after sunrise. Sunrise doesn't just "kiss" this peak - it hits it full on. Clouds were swirling in the valley below and we thought that they may obscure our views from the summit; but it stayed clear and we had great views at 9:30 am from 18,860' on Pisco. This peak sits in the heart of the range and is considered the easiest climb in the Cordillera Blanca. It was challenging enough for us though, highlighted by a leap over a 3-4' wide crevasse 100 yards from the summit. By contrast, Huandoy peak is almost unclimbable because of constant avalanche danger - we heard them booming through the night.
In the 2nd week, we trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu - a magical journey. I'll post more in the next few days.
Posted by Scott Bacon on September 5, 2006 at 12:37 PM
Wow-wee! Can't wait to see more. Sounds like a fantastic trip!
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 5, 2006 at 12:54 PM
Oh holy jeebus!!!.
Posted by Evan Anderman on September 5, 2006 at 12:58 PM
I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your pictures, sounds like an awesome trip.
Posted by Jack Brauer on September 5, 2006 at 1:43 PM
Oh man I am so jealous!!!! Can't wait to see more.
Posted by Jody Grigg on September 5, 2006 at 1:49 PM
Discussion
11 repliesMy wife and I just returned from an 18 day trip to Peru where we tried to see as much as possible by trekking in the Cordillera Blanca and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
It was a hard trip, but well worth it. Peru is so rich photographically and the people are very warm. When taking people photos while trekking, I simply asked "uno foto por favor?" and they were happy to pose. Then I would show them their picture on the LCD.
In the first week, we trekked the popular Santa Cruz route and acclimatized by crossing Punta Union Pass - 15, 560'. We worked our way to Pisco Base Camp and camped on the glacier moraine below the peak. We started our climb at 3:30 am and I took this photo of Huandoy Peak just after sunrise. Sunrise doesn't just "kiss" this peak - it hits it full on. Clouds were swirling in the valley below and we thought that they may obscure our views from the summit; but it stayed clear and we had great views at 9:30 am from 18,860' on Pisco. This peak sits in the heart of the range and is considered the easiest climb in the Cordillera Blanca. It was challenging enough for us though, highlighted by a leap over a 3-4' wide crevasse 100 yards from the summit. By contrast, Huandoy peak is almost unclimbable because of constant avalanche danger - we heard them booming through the night.
In the 2nd week, we trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu - a magical journey. I'll post more in the next few days.
Brian