Huaytapallana

Our last day in Huancayo was an exhausting one. We were up early for an all day hike  to the mountain top of Huaytapallana.
Jumping on our tour bus with 10 other Peruvians and our alpine guide Christopher, it was an hour ride to where the hike began. We made a quick stop to purchase the days supply of coca leaves to help cope with the altitude. The hike was to take us over 5200m above sea level through rocky terrain and snow. Pushing off from the trail head through the nights fresh layer of snow at about 4400m we bundled up and began our ascent . If you pushed hard for ten steps you could feel your vision narrowing and head getting light, time for a fresh dip of coca. You take the coca leaves and squish them into your gums (like tobacco). We completed our first big obsticle and on the top there was a rock stack shrine where we asked the mountain permission to pass and gave an offering of coca leaves. 

Offerings to the mountains

Ascending further we got our first glimpse of the breath taking Huaytapallana glacier, which was winding down the mountains into a teal coloured lake. Looking back down the path I saw Amy sitting on a pointy rock with her head between her knees. Uh Oh... I think the altitude is taking its toll. Pushing on we hit an ice wall- the glacier! This is when it got crazy. Traversing the glacier was difficult and we needed to rope up and walk single file to avoid plummits into cravasses. After four hours of hiking we finally reached our destination. High on the snow we pulled out our plastic garbage bags and took turns sliding down the glacier. Wet, cold, and a pounding headache it was worth every minute.

More than ready to loose some altitude and get some oxygen rich blood back to our brains we began our decent back to the bus. The glacier disappeared behind us as thick fog rolled in over the hills. The hike back was bitter sweet, a great end to a great day. At the homestay we packed up our things, said our good byes and were off to catch our 10 hour night bus.