Vallunaraju

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The last two days have been spent climbing Vallunaraju and surround peaks. It was about a two hour drive even though it is probably about 20 miles and then a several hour climb to where the guide and myself set up base camp. Just reaching this camping area and viewing the surrounding landscape great. After a few hours of restlesss sleep at this altitude it was off to the climb at 12:30. Very cold and somewhat difficult we spent the next 12 hours climbing and trekking in the area. The pics do a much better job of showing the area then I could do with words.

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Photos

Follow the Guide
Taken shortly after starting. About 1 AM

Vallunaraju
Just below the summit

Vallunaraju
The summit from a few meters away - very cold and windy

Kitchen at Base Camp
get used to noodles and bread - Conor would be thrilled

Coca Tea
Put leaves in hot water for five minutes. Drink and chew the leaves for altitude aclimitization

Camp Right View
Looking towards Huaraz

Camp Neighbors
Another guide with two Peace Corp workers from Peru

Base Camp
Before the snow rolled in

Camp Dinner
Noodles of course

Base Camp
Another view towards Huaraz

Base Camp
Guide setting up tent and the snow rolled in a few hours later

Sunrise
Still up hiking about 7 AM on the glacier

Base Camp
Yes we had to carry this all up

Ranrapalca
Sun Just starting to rise

Guide
With Huascaran in the background

Coca Leaves
For making tea

Comments

[Karen M]

Yeah - how is the
coca? You NEVER told me this was the kind of "TREK" (loosely defined) that you were doing?