Chilling with the Israelies in Huaraz before setting off on the Santa Cruz hike. Check out the magnum-look on this bad boy!
Left: Sunset view from the hostel in Huaraz
Left: Chris, Alex and I got the awesome overflow room at the top of the hostel ... sweet! The Three Muskateers: Me, Alex and Chris (brothers from New Zealand)
Fun in our tent!
Our guide, Carlos, chilling.
There was a shop selling beer on the third day - woop woop!
Left: the Brits
After the 4800 meters above sea level pass.
Down into the Santa Cruz valley we go ...
At the top of the Santa Cruz pass, 4800m ASL.
And I did it, I swam in a mountain stream originating from the icy mountains! The beer was well deserved afterwards!
Sheeips and Han did every step!
Alex and the snow ... brrrr!
There was a shop selling beer on the third day - woop woop! And there were donkeys just calling to be messed with!
The many 'vistas' we saw every day.
Altitude sickness, men down!
Left: the BritsBelow: the Kiwi
More headaches, the altitude took it's toll with Alex.
Camp
sites were beaut, and cold!
sites were beaut, and cold! After the 4800 meters above sea level pass.
Down into the Santa Cruz valley we go ...
At the top of the Santa Cruz pass, 4800m ASL.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Peru, use a donkey to carry your luggage!
BEAUT SCENERY of the over 6000m ASL peaks in the Cordillera Blanca
...
...
Tea and cards at camp.
Alex loves his trees
! No seriously,
! No seriously, the bark was papery
and red - awesome!
"
Caramello," ordered many a kid as we passed through.
Caramello," ordered many a kid as we passed through.MIELIES!
July '09
4-DAY SANTA CRUISE
Sitting on a rooftop in the sun at 7 a.m., I am waiting for a bed in the hostel along with a few other early arrivals. Many adventure seekers, mountaineers and climbers use Huaraz as a base for the many outdoor activities and treks into the Cordillera Blanca and neighbouring Cordillera Huayhuash. A simple breakfast of bread and jam, coffee and mate is served to those already awake. The 21 people inside are departing shortly on one of the many trekking expeditions into the snow-capped peaks. Those of us having just arrived on the overnight busses are lazily sipping on warm brew. I was welcomed to Hebrew coffee and sweet manly voices singing to the strumming of a well-travelled guitar. The sheesha which was passed around by the Isarealies which I ended up spending the day with was a bit too early for my smoke-free lungs to partake.
After scouting out the different companies in town and the options of hikes into the cordillera, I signed up for the four day hike into the Santa Cruz valley. With surrounding icy mountain peaks over 6000 meters above sea level, it was important that one has acclimatised before heading out into the mountains. Along with two brothers from New Zealand and a party of three from England, we set off with a guide and four donkeys to carry the tents and luggage.
In the next four days we walked over icy passes, in the snow, passing lakes and mountain rivers. The slow flakes drifted peacefully onto beanies and exposed noses. The second morning began with the sound of rain on the tent and proceeded to wet us on and off as we cleared the saddle at almost 5000 meters above sea level, heading down into the Santa Cruz valley. Flanked by cliff faces and steep mountains, the valley leads eventually to a small village. Children watched intently as cards were played while we waited for a bus back to Huaraz. Dust from the passing vehicles and donkeys settled on tired bodies already in need of a shower.
4-DAY SANTA CRUISE
Sitting on a rooftop in the sun at 7 a.m., I am waiting for a bed in the hostel along with a few other early arrivals. Many adventure seekers, mountaineers and climbers use Huaraz as a base for the many outdoor activities and treks into the Cordillera Blanca and neighbouring Cordillera Huayhuash. A simple breakfast of bread and jam, coffee and mate is served to those already awake. The 21 people inside are departing shortly on one of the many trekking expeditions into the snow-capped peaks. Those of us having just arrived on the overnight busses are lazily sipping on warm brew. I was welcomed to Hebrew coffee and sweet manly voices singing to the strumming of a well-travelled guitar. The sheesha which was passed around by the Isarealies which I ended up spending the day with was a bit too early for my smoke-free lungs to partake.
After scouting out the different companies in town and the options of hikes into the cordillera, I signed up for the four day hike into the Santa Cruz valley. With surrounding icy mountain peaks over 6000 meters above sea level, it was important that one has acclimatised before heading out into the mountains. Along with two brothers from New Zealand and a party of three from England, we set off with a guide and four donkeys to carry the tents and luggage.
In the next four days we walked over icy passes, in the snow, passing lakes and mountain rivers. The slow flakes drifted peacefully onto beanies and exposed noses. The second morning began with the sound of rain on the tent and proceeded to wet us on and off as we cleared the saddle at almost 5000 meters above sea level, heading down into the Santa Cruz valley. Flanked by cliff faces and steep mountains, the valley leads eventually to a small village. Children watched intently as cards were played while we waited for a bus back to Huaraz. Dust from the passing vehicles and donkeys settled on tired bodies already in need of a shower.
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