Today we begin our five-day trek through the Huayhuash mountain range.
Huayhuash
The trek runs along the Huayhuash mountain range with mountain passes over 5,000 metres high, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks, glaciers and lakes. They say it is one of the most beautiful treks in the world, and we completely agree.
We sleep every night above 4,000 metres in tents.
On this occasion, we are a group of 11 people: seven Australians, two Argentinians and us. We are always accompanied by our guide, Ricardo, our cook, Giovani, and Freddy. The team is completed by two other people who set up and take down the camps every day.
Huayhuash
Our luggage and the rest of the equipment is carried by mules from one camp to another. They have solutions for everything, so if you have any questions, ask them and they will always find a way to solve them. For example, we weren't returning to Huaraz because we were taking a bus from Cajatambo to Lima and we had a backpack that we didn't need on the trek. At first, they were going to take it on the bus, but since the terminals were different, they decided to send another mule for 50 soles. We only carried a backpack with the essentials for the day.
Recommendations for a day pack in Huayhuash:
1. Rain poncho and rain trousers
2. Small first aid kit with painkillers, saline solution, Fortasec, a bandage, Betadine, scissors, and a thermal blanket.
3. Bring at least 2 litres of water and some energy bars.
4. Warm clothing.
5. Hat, neck warmer, gloves, sun cream.
The team provides hot water every day so you can wash when you arrive at and leave the camp. Three meals a day are included, and every day you are given a small lunch of snacks and fruit to take with you in your rucksack. Hot drinks are available at the camp at all times, accompanied by popcorn or biscuits.
Francisco's team is EXCELLENT. You can't imagine how well we were looked after.
Preparations
At 4.30 in the morning, we are picked up from our accommodation.
We have a 5-hour drive to the start of the trek. We stop for breakfast in Popca (not included in the price of the trek): omelette with vegetables, avocado, bread, fruit and coca tea for 20 soles per person.
Ricardo, our guide, gives us a banana and a snack in case we need it during the day.
We take the van again to the starting point. Here we distribute the luggage and are assigned a bag with a sleeping bag, mat and mattress.
We start walking at 11 a.m. We have a 500-metre climb to reach the Cacananpunta pass at 4,690 metres. My stomach starts to bother me and I have to stop up to five times to go to the toilet. I was already feeling a bit off when I woke up, but as I was drinking rehydration solution the whole way and was hungry at breakfast time, I didn't think it would be so bad. My stomach hurts so much that I can't fasten my rucksack. Luckily, Vanesa has hired a horse in case I needed it on the trek, and I can put my rucksack on it. Vanesa is brave. She is 56 years old, and this is her first trek at 5,000 metres!
Huayhuash
The views from the pass are beautiful, even though it's a little cloudy. Ximena, the other Argentinean, gives me some coca essence and my stomach seems to calm down.
We descend from the pass and Giovanni prepares lunch. It's incredible that these people carry food and hot water for 13 people. The rice with avocado and vegetables looks delicious, but I prefer to stick with my rehydration solution to see if I can get rid of what's inside me. I think the guinea pig didn't agree with me; I shouldn't have eaten it before the trek.
Cacananpunta pass
Today we walk 10 km to the Janca camp at 4,250 metres, where we will spend the night. As we get closer, the sky clears. How beautiful!
When we arrive at the camp, we enjoy coca tea and biscuits (which I don't try).
We share the camp with other groups. There are only two toilets for everyone.
The worst part of the camp is the cold you feel while waiting for dinner, so if you don't have enough warm clothing, it's a good idea to ask the team for it before leaving so they can provide you with warmer jackets. The temperature at night can drop to 6 degrees below zero.
Huayhuash
Huayhuash
After tea, we set up our mats and inflate our sleeping pads by blowing into them! Even though I'm not feeling well, I'm not bad at inflating them.
The sleeping bags are thick and we are given an extra fleece bag.
Dinner is at 6 p.m. when night falls. I eat half a banana and go to the tent because I'm freezing. I have trouble warming up even though the sleeping bag is nice.
Huayhuash
At midnight, I have to get up to go to the loo again. Ximena has given me a pill for intestinal spasms, and it seems to be working.
Huayhuash Trekking with Franpisco Adventure €446/person (500$) for 5 days, not including the entrance fee to the indigenous community (220 soles/person)
Breakfast in Popca 20 soles/person
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