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Without a doubt the best place for mountaineering in Peru is the spectacular
Cordillera Blanca which is accessed from the town of Huaraz. There are plenty of
peaks over 5,000m and an incredible 33 peaks over 6,000m including
Huascaran which at 6,768m is Peru's highest peak.
The more remote Cordillera Huayhuash is 4 hours by bus from Huaraz and has 7
summits over 6,000m, the highest of which is Yerupaja at 6,634m.
If you are planning an expedition to climb a mountain in Peru, becoming
a member of the South America
Explorers is an excellent idea. You can use the services of their club houses in
Lima and Cusco which include an extensive library of books, maps and trip
reports. (www.saexplorers.org)
Cordillera Blanca
The Cordillera Blanca is truly a climbers paradise. Many people come to Peru
just to visit this region and can sometimes reach several summits over 6,000m in
a two week stay. Climbing is best done during the dry season (June to September)
with optimum conditions usually in July. Acclimatization is essential so allow between 4
days and 1 week before starting the ascent depending on the height and
difficultly of the mountain.
The peaks of Ishinca (5,534m) and Pisco (5,752m) are suitable for
inexperienced climbers. Alpamayo (5,957m), generally regarded as Peru's most
beautiful mountain, is suitable for intermediate climbers, while Huascaran
(6,768m) can prove quite a challenge.
Huaraz is the largest town in the area and the most popular place to use as a
base for exploring the surrounding mountains. There are many trekking and climbing companies in Huaraz that can help you
plan your trip, provide suitably experienced guides and rent out equipment.
However more serious expeditions should bring their own equipment. A great source of information can be found in the Casa de Guias (House of
Guides) which is located in the Plaza Ginebra in Huaraz. They keep
a list of registered guides.
Cordillera Blanca: Peaks which can easily be climbed by
trekking
|
Peaks |
Duration
(Days) |
Altitude |
Months
for Climbing |
|
Hatun
Montepuncu |
4 |
5,415
mts. |
all
year |
|
Huarapasca |
2 |
5,530
mts. |
all
year |
|
Ishinka |
3 |
5,534
mts. |
all
year |
|
Maparaju |
4 |
5,326
mts. |
all
year |
|
Pastoruri |
1 |
5,220
mts. |
all
year |
|
Pisco |
3 |
5,752
mts. |
all year |
|
Rima
Rima |
2 |
5,203
mts. |
all year |
|
Tuco |
2 |
5,454
mts. |
all
year |
|
Urus |
3 |
5,420
mts. |
all
year |
|
Vallunaraju |
3 |
5,686
mts. |
all
year |
|
Wamashraju |
3 |
5,434
mts. |
all
year |
Cordillera Blanca: Peaks
which can be climbed with moderate difficulty
|
Peaks |
Duration
(Days) |
Altitude |
Months
for Climbing |
|
Aquilpo |
4 |
5,050
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Caullaraju |
3 |
5,597
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Copa |
4 |
6,137
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Champara |
7 |
5,878
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Chequiaraju |
4 |
5,512
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Hualcan |
4 |
6,122
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Paria |
4 |
5,500
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Raria |
3 |
5,576
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
San
Juan |
4 |
5,884
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Tocllraju |
4 |
6,052
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Urhuashraju |
5 |
5,544
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Yanapaccha |
5 |
5,393
mts. |
May
to Sept |
Cordillera Blanca: Peaks
which can be climbed with a degree of difficulty
|
Peaks |
Duration
(Days) |
Altitude |
Months
for Climbing |
|
Alpamayo |
8 |
5,957
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Artesonraju |
5 |
6,025
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Caraz |
6 |
6,020
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Cayesh |
8 |
5,424
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Contrahierbas |
6 |
6,050
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Chacraraju |
8 |
6,108
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Chinchey |
7 |
6,309
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Chopicalqui |
5 |
6,354
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Huandoy
Norte |
6 |
6,393
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Huascaran |
6 |
6,768
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Huastsan |
6 |
6,395
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Oxshapalca |
6 |
5,881
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Palcaraju |
5 |
6,272
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Piramide
Garcilazo |
6 |
5,865
mts. |
May
to Sept |
|
Pucaranra |
7 |
6,156
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Pacahirca |
7 |
6,088
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Quitaraju |
7 |
6,036
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Ranrapalca |
6 |
6,162
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Rataquenua |
5 |
5,338
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Santa
Cruz |
8 |
6,241
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Taulliraju |
8 |
5,830
mts. |
June
to Sept |
|
Ulta |
7 |
5,782
mts. |
May
to Sept |
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