looking for trekking/climbing partner(s) in Peru

Hi,

im landing in Lima on12th Feb 09. Im planning on getting to Cuzco between 25th and 28th feb. i m looking for someone who would fancy joining me on the Salkantay trek. I reckon it can be done DIY style, therefore , being cheap if carrying our own gear..etc... unfortunately, as i am travelling on my own and for safety reasons, I cannot do the trek solo...
im a fairly fit 32 year old woman who adores the outdoors! very sociable and adventurous! i ve trekked in the Himalayas (DIY style) and spent 5 months on an Enfield accros India.

After my stint around cuzco/Machu Picchu, i ll be heading to Arequipa, where again ill be looking into doing the colca trek (DIY) , relaxing in the mountains and degustating the local brews...(hahah)...to finish off with El Misti! Arequipa offers so much that im sure some people will have some other suggestions...so feel free to message!

i m very keen boulderer and i will (obviously) have my shoes...therefore, if anyone fancies a sweaty bouldering session (or 3...). then PLEASE PLEASE message me!!

then , the plan is to go towards Lake Titicaca to finally cross the border into Bolivia( around end of March 09).

If anyone fancies joining me, get in touch and even if it s just to share experiences around a nice cold beer.

happy and safe travelling to all of you

Mags




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Hello Claudia,

thanks for your message.

yeap we could definetely meet up.

the only real commitment i have is that i have to be in Cochabamba (Bolivia) for the 6th March as i ll be volunteering at a local hospital for 8 weeks (im a physio). Ill be at the project until 4th May. After that, ill be travelling round Bolivia. However, im intending to climb Huayna Potosi and Illimani as well as doing lots of trekking around the Codillera Real. You are more than welcome to join me!

my initial plan was to then fly out to Quito (Ecuador) and make my way south to finally return to Peru and do North Peru..to finally fly back to the uk on 11th August..Boohoo!!but instead of flying to Ecuador, i may just cross the border toward Chile...but i havent thought that far ahead...i like to keep it flexible!

I would LoVEto hike down in Patagonia!! It looks just soooooo amazing!!! Besides, i ve always wanted to cycle Chile over a couple or months or more (but that ll be for another time! hahaha! soo many things to be done!!)!
If you are around the Cuzco area at the same time as me , let's meet and have chat around a pisco!

you dont say how long you are spending in South America.. what are your plans? Tell me more! you must be getting really excited now...only a few days to go and whooooosh off you go!
I get really bad travel fever! hahahaha! i just cant stop thinking/talking about for months before i leave and then i cant shut up for months afterwards...needless to say my friends will be getting a 6 months break!!!

i m travelling on a budget so i would like to camp as often as poss. im not taking a tent with me but i may take a bivi bag...As far as experience is concerned, im just very lucky to have friends that love the great outdoors and therfore we camp out (and climb) very often. I wish i could jet them with me!
As far as hiking on your own, well, let s be honest...it isnt wise nor safe to do so...if only for potential injuries...so like you, i dont hike solo abroad.

do stay in touch and let me know where you are at when i get there.

have a safe journey and take care

mags





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Ha...i ve just realised that ive made a mistake with respect to my arrival date in ·Cochabamba...i have to be there for the 6th April...not March!!until the end of May...Doh!! hahahah! i was being dizzy!! Sorry. Reply to this

Claudia,

yes it is the rainy season in Peru at the moment but by time i get to Cuzco, it ll be getting towards the end of it.

My bivy bag is the Stratophere snugpack..it is a fab one coz the head part is hooped, giving you plenty of space to read or whatever...plus a pocket to put wet sock to dry in!!

clothing either in bag or on me: (This is for the coldest/highest hikes i m going to do so it ll depends on what you do)
2x100% merino wool base layer tops (to have spare dry one when stop)
1 x 100% merino base layer bottom
2 max x underpants + 1 bra
2x socks (merino)
Rab Vapourise jacket
polartec fleece
down jacket
insulated /waterproof/windproof outer shell
1x waterproof/windproof hat (the goretex Lowe Alpine one is great!)
wind/waterproof/insulated gloves
Sunglasses polarised
1xwaterproof trousers
1xinsulated trousers
1x normal combats
1x gaiters
1x balaclava

insulation wise: down is obviously the best but for trousers/gloves/ thin jackets/ i really like primaloft.
beside i tend to prefer e-event to gore-tex...more breathability ...but on the downfall, the material is not as sturdy as goretex.

sleeping bag (down is best but if it gets wet..it takes forever to dry...mine is a british army snugpack one given to me recently..synthetic: the advantage is that it dries quickly! disavantage: heavier than down and bulkier..i tried it without a bivy bag outdoors when out with my friends and it was fab.)
bag liner )bring your sleeping bag up by one season.)
bivi bag

head torch
knife
water container+ iodine etc..
1st aid kit
Diamox tablets
ibuprofen
glucose tablets
sun protection
lip balm high factor
re-hydrating sachet

food
camera +tripod+ memory cards+ spare battery
if long hikes ill be wanting to hire a stove.

for snowy hikes, i will have to hire crampons and relevant boots.

oh and what im certainly taking with me is my smile and giggles!!!haha

i hope this helps.


when are you heading?
have a safe trip and let me know if you want to meet up.
take care and be safe
mags




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regarding my packing, the above list is as i said for the coldest and highest treks/climbs..for the earlier/warmer ones in Peru ill obviously take less.

Meeting up would be great. As you intend to be in Patagonia before March, it looks like we wont be able to meet in Peru, as i dont land before 12th feb. So, how about meeting in Bolivia when i finish my project at the end of May? or if you were to pass through Cochabamba during my time out there, drop by and ill put the kettle on! hahah

or Ecuador early or mid-July? i havent done much 'research' about Ecuador yet..but this guy on this site told me that he had a fantastic experience out there and thought the trekking in Ecuador was better than in Peru. plus i really want to do the Galapagos Island and give the turtles a good old kiss...but Ecuador will depend on what my bank manager says tomorrow soo fingers crossed ...

do you rock-climb or boulder at all? i really want to go to Valle des las rocas: new-discovered bouldering heaven apparently.
i m quite open for suggestions too. Mainly, i just want to meet and live the local culture as much as i can. Practice my very rusty Spanish (but im French so it shouldnt take long to get back into it-i hope!!!). im a very sociable person and i like to embrace new cultures as much as i can.

how long will you be in Chile for? and where do you intend to go afterwards? are you doing internal flights?

And lucky you!! a year off!nice one!

tell me what you think about the above meeting suggestions and stay in touch
take care
mags

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Hey there.
I'm all packed and it seems like i'm taking a mamoth with me ; )
Bleh. I really should master the concept of minimalism.

mags, Hope to run into you at some point. I've got all my camping gear ready ; ) with the exception of a stove.

I do rock climb. No bloudering. Will not take rock climbing shoes, my 55 liter pack will burst if i try squezzing one more item ; (

yea, maybe we can meet up in Ecuador or Bolivia. Let's see where the wind blows me ; )

see you ; )
happy travels.

Claudia Reply to this

Oh Mark!!!

this is just AWESOME news...!!!! wahooooo!!! you ve just said the magic words!!
Im less than 3 weeks to 'take-off' so i have got a real bad case of travel fever!

We ll definitely have to meet up and go for a climb!

Thanks for the message and stay in touch...

take care and be safe

Mags
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Hello,

I know this thread might be out of date - but I am heading to Huaraz to do some climbing from May 18- June 10. I'd especially be interested in meeting any experienced alpinists who would like to try two or three moderates in the region. Actually, I will probably be happy with trekking but I'd still like to give a moderate alpine route a go. Let me know if you're interested!

ps. I'm 30, doing my PhD in Michigan...and have a good amount of Canadian Rockies alpine routes under my belt. That said, I don't climb hard routes anymore. Just going for some views and good times. Let me know if you want to team up! Reply to this