2010 Dates: (15 days):
June 26-July 10
August 8-22


Land Cost:
$3,495

Client to guide ratio 4:1

No previous climbing experience required. This trip is fully porter supported, so you carry only a daypack while trekking and climbing! Trekkers should have extended backpaking experience as this trek is considered moderate-strenuous and involves off-trail travel.


Trip Leader: Shayan Rohani


Climbing Grade: Beginner

Trekking Grade: Strenuous

Here are what a few of our past trip-takers have to say about our Cordillera Blanca adventure:

“Travel – great, guides – greater, acclimatization times and activities – great, climbing – great, scenery – spectacular.” - Mark M.

“This was the best planned trip I’ve been on. Shy and Tyler are superior guides who not only have the trip wired but showed great leadership, amazing knowledge, and a wonderful overall attitude.” – David R.

"Very best trip I’ve been on!" – David T.

"This was the best mountaineering trip I have ever been on! Hats off to the many many people on staff with Mountain Madness in Peru that made this trip so awesome." - Dan D.

"Outstanding trip, a wonderful, exciting, unique experience for a seasonal trekker." - Jonathan K.

We begin this journey with a trek up the spectacular Quebrada Quilcayhuanca valley. Our route then takes us over pre-Inca trails over several passes with stunning views of such famous peaks as Cayesh, Ranrapalca, and Chinchey. During the trek we are surrounded by incredible peaks, turquoise lakes, and lupine covered meadows. Along the way we climb three straightforward 5,000+ meter peaks suitable for those with no mountaineering experience. Ascents include Maparaju, Huapi, and Ishinca. Trekkers will be challenged with the terrain but will find intriguing walking far off the Gringo Trail.

FOR BEGINNER CLIMBERS this is a perfect trip for those looking experience at high altitude climbing and that have little or no basic mountaineering skills. Our ascents are located in one of the world’s finest mountaineering areas and offer straightforward glaciated climbs. And if you prefer not to climb trekkers can journey alongside the climbers making for a perfect trip that suites diverse interests.

Each climb offers moderate glacier climbing challenges with occasional route finding difficulties through crevassed areas and just enough steep snow and ice sections to keep things interesting. Participants will find ample opportunities to get hands-on experience with all the complexities involved with expedition climbing, from learning about altitude illness to determining exactly what equipment and food will be needed.

FOR ADVENTUROUS TREKKERS this relatively unknown route follows paths but also includes challenging walking off trail where few others have traveled. The result is a truly off the beaten path experience. Along the way some straight-forward glacier travel/walking is encountered that poses no technical difficulties but offers a chance to get an up close and personal view of Andean glaciers. And even if you have no intention to become a climber you may find the option of climbing one of the three straightforward 5000+ meter peaks to enticing too pass up! These ascents are suitable for those with no mountaineering experience - we’ll provide instruction during the trip. Each day provides a different view and after more than a week off the beaten path we arrive in the Ishinca Valley where participants have the option to climb the famous 18,138 foot Ishinca or explore this beautiful valley. After that we return to the bustling town of Huaraz for a celebration dinner and traditional dancing, Peruvian style! 

Team members will also enjoy the intriguing culture of Peru. Two languages are spoken in the region, Spanish and Quechua. The indigenous Quechua people, whose ancestry can be traced directly to the Incas, continue to weave intriguing tales and myths around the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. These people continue to live in the shadows of the Andes, practicing subsistence farming and animal husbandry much as their ancestors did. This rich cultural backdrop offers interesting glimpses into the past and one of South America’s most important cultural vestiges, the vast Inca Empire, and adds immensely to the overall experience of this trip.

Included in Trip Cost:

• Four scheduled hotel nights
  
• Food while on the mountain
  
• Park Fees
  
• Group climbing and cooking gear
  
• Scheduled restaurant meals
  
• Pack animals and porters for group gear
  
• Ground transportation from Lima and return and while in the mountains
  

• Airfare
  
• Personal equipment
  
• Staff/guide gratuities
  
• Alcoholic beverages
  
• Unscheduled hotel nights and restaurant meals
  
• Trip and medical/evacuation insurance
  
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, room service and so forth
  
• Services available at the mountain huts
  

CLIMBERS QUALIFICATIONS: This trip is well-suited for beginner climbers with little or no climbing experience.  We do however suggest that you have some previous mountaineering experience prior to joining us for the Toclaraju extension. Climbers are expected to know the basic mountaineering skills and preferably have some experience at high altitudes, but this is not required. Completing a Mountain Madness six-day Glacier Mountaineering School is an excellent way to prepare for this trip. 

TREKKERS QUALIFICATIONS: Trekkers joining the trip need no mountaineering experience and can choose not to participate on the climbs. Trekkers need to expect some off-trail travel and have backpacking experience, although the trek is porter or pack animal supported. Excellent physical fitness is required for this trek.

RECCOMMENDED EXTENSIONS:
Visit Cusco, trek the Inca Trail, and explore the ruins of Machu Picchu. This is a great way to acclimatize before your climb and the Inca Trail is suitable for friends and family to join you.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The mountains of the Cordillera Blanca of Peru contain some of the greatest vertical relief outside the Himalayas and offer climbing challenges equal to those in the great ranges of the world. The Cordillera Blanca is located in the Ancash region of Peru, about 400 km to the northeast of Lima. The range is one portion of the 7,500 km Andean chain that runs along the West Coast of South America. The Cordillera Blanca contain more than 300 summits and the world’s highest tropical mountains (more than 27 over 6,000 meters), and are considered by many the most beautiful range in the Andes. Elegant corniced ridges, delicately fluted ice faces, and inviting, easy access valleys make it a climber’s paradise.

TRAINING PROGRAM: This trip is physically demanding and we cannot over emphasize the importance of physical conditioning. We suggest you begin your training program at least two months prior to departure. While strength is important, endurance training should be your primary focus. Walking up hills and stair climbing are both excellent ways to condition your lower body. Begin slowly, without the weight of a pack, eventually adding weight as you increase your training pace. Take a long hike (4-6 hours) several times with a weighted pack (40-60 lbs.) up and down hills or on small mountains (weight your pack with water containers and pour out the water before your descent to minimize knee stress). Supplement this activity with running, cycling, swimming, racquet sports, basketball, etc. for additional aerobic conditioning. If possible try to take at least two longer hikes of 6-10 hours with at least 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Several days before your departure you should rest and drink plenty of water.

WEATHER: Like all big mountains, the peaks of the Andes generate and attract their own weather, making conditions impossible to predict. April through August typically have the best weather, but be prepared for a wide range of temperatures, from freezing nights and snowy, windy conditions, to bright sunshine intensified by high altitude. The wide fluctuation in temperatures makes it important to bring everything on the equipment list.

FOOD: Mountain Madness is renowned for providing the finest mountain cuisine available. All of the meals from the trailhead and back will be provided, including pastas, rice, soups, dehydrated and fresh foods. Bring along your favorite snack foods, energy bars and after dinner treats.

TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. This comprehensive travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delays, medical expenses, and emergency assistance. A Travelguard insurance application is provided with all trip bookings.

MEDICAL AND EVACUATION INSURANCE: If your insurance policy does not cover international travel and mountaineering expeditions you will receive policy information from Liaison International with your booking that we strongly recommend you consider.


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Itinerary

Included in the cost of your trip are scheduled group restaurant meals. All meals in the mountains will be provided

Day 1: Fly to Lima, Peru. Overnight at the comfortable Villa Molina.

Day 2:  Travel to Huaraz.  Hotel night.

Day 3:  We get an up close glimpse of the fascinating subsistence farmers living scattered throughout the mountains on our first acclimatization hike.  Final trip preparations and a nice dinner follow.  Hotel night.

Day 4: Leaving Huaraz and traveling through pastoral Andean scenery, we head up to the shimmering deep blue waters of Laguna Churup on our second acclimatization hike.  That night we are treated to a relaxing stay at “The Way Inn” a beautiful European style mountain chalet with inspiring views of the  mountains that await us.

Day 5: Today we hike through the broad and beautiful Quilcayhuanca valley to the base camp of one of the Blanca’s most stunning peaks, the soaring ice encrusted tower of Cayesh.

Day 6: Today we climb Maparaju (5,326 meters). Our ascent begins with an approach on pre-Inca trails to the Abra Villon Col (4,996 meters). From the col we put our crampons on and ascend a beautiful glacier plateau with a few steep steps to the summit. We will be greeted with amazing views of Huantsan and Cayesh among many others. Trekkers have many day hike options.

Day 7: After a big breakfast, we spend the afternoon hiking to the beautiful hanging valley of Cuchillo pampa.  For the next two nights we will sleep here below the enormous south face of Puka-ranra.

Day 8: Rest is the theme of the day.  A great day to wash, read, take a short hike to a nearby lake or simply lay back and breath in the pure Andean air.

Day 9: Today we hike to the pass above the lake and ascend Huapi (5,415 meters), an exciting snow climb to a spectacular summit with outstanding views of the Chichey Massif.  Trekkers travel over a pass between two deep glacial valleys with amazing 360 degree views.

Day 10: Trek thru the sweeping granite clad Cojup Valley.  On the way we will marvel at the power of nature as we see the evidence of a massive 1940s land slide that caused a devastating flood which destroyed half of Huaraz.  We camp on the shores of Laguna Perolcocha below the massive east face Ranrapalca.

Day 11: Our ascent of Ishinca (5,530 meters) is over easy glacier terrain.  The famed summit view is well worth the effort!  If time and conditions permit we traverse the peak, going up one route and descending another.  Our last camp, arguably the best, sits perched high in the peak studded Ishinca Valley.

Day 12: Hike out through the justly popular Ishinca Valley to our awaiting ride to Huaraz.  Hot showers and a delicious celebration dinner await!

Day 13: Extra day

Day 14-15: Return to Lima and home.

NOTE ON ITINERARY: Although we do our best to follow the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other factors beyond our control.


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