A long-exposure (Sony a7RV + Sony 16-35 mm f2.8 gm II, @ 34mm f22, 30 secs., ISO = 64 with a 10-stop B+W ND filter) of my view from camp at laguna Carhuacocha.
The peaks, from left to right, Yerupaja (6,617 m.), Yerupaja Chico (6089 m.), and Jirishanca (6094 m.).
A quick Google search will reveal that this is a much-photographed location. As such, I wanted to render the scene a bit differently.
© Bob Loudon.
Given the enormity and scale of the landscape here, it is easy to feel small. The forces of nature that formed these mountains, however, also formed us. I love the line from the Joni Mitchell song, Woodstock, “we are stardust, we are golden. We are billion-year-old carbon. And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.” A beautiful articulation of how connected we are to the world and universe around us. Llaucha Pass.
Local Horseman. Near Quartelhuain, Ancash, Peru. Cordillera Huayhuash.
A view of the valley near Quartelhuain. The mining road can also be seen here.
Adolfo Valdez Rivera. My superb guide during the trek. Adolfo and I have become fast friends. Adolfo’s knowledge of the Huayhuash is impressive and extensive. It should be, he’s lived in this area all of his life. His ability to spot a promising vantage point for photos was invaluable and I came to rely on him for (very) accurate weather forcasts (remember, we had no internet access for the entire 11-day trek) and route suggestions. Adolfo is a big reason why the trek was such a success for me.
Mining road, near Quartelhuain.
On the approach to Cacanan pass from Quarteluain.
Abner Valdez Rivera (front) and Ubaldo (behind, with horse). Both men are as hard-working and kind as you will find anywhere. Abner was the man in charge of the horses, donkeys, & mules and his job was to pack up camp and transport all of our gear to the next campsite. Ubaldo is a super-talented cook and story-teller.
Adolfo looks down into the valley from Cacanan pass.
Adolfo approaching Trapecio pass.
Sunrise over Laguna Carhuacocha. In this image, the sun lights up the tips of the peaks. To catch the sunrise, I had to work fast. Sunrises & sunsets occur with blinding speed near the equator. In less than 20 minutes the burning reds turn into flat whites and the show has ended.
Pre-trek hike #1: Laguna Wilcacocha.
Pre-trek hike #1: Laguna Wilcacocha.
Pre-trek hike #1: Laguna Wilcacocha.
Pre-trek hike #1: Laguna Wilcacocha.
Pre-trek hike #1: Laguna Wilcacocha.
Pre-trek hike #2: Laguna Rajucolta. Huantsan (6,369 m), located in the Cordillera Blanca (Huascaran National Park), in the late afternoon sun.
Jirishanca Chico (5,446 m).
Siula Pass
Puscanturpa Norte
A young wrangler lassos a runaway mule. Given the heavy loads these animals must bear, I don’t really blame it for running. Campamento Janca.
Yerupaja Grande (6,617 m, left) and Yerupaja Chico (6,089 m, right) glow in the morning sun. This telephoto view is from campamento Janca.
Trapecio Pass (5010 m)
Trapecio Pass (5010 m)
Campamento Janca.
Andean Condor soars above the Cordillera Huayhuash
Milky Way over Huatiac.
Adolfo approaching Trapecio pass.
Trapecio
Abner Valdez Rivera
Rain storm off of ruta 3N, on the way back to Huaraz.
Yerupaja Grande (6,617 m, left) and Yerupaja Chico (6,089 m, right). Photo made from Campamento Janca.
Yovani Gloria. My incredible cook and a man who loves a great joke or story. His seemingly effortless ability to prepare a superb meal in camp, next to a glacier, or on a mountain pass defies explanation. He is a truly talented Master of cuisine. To call him simply a cook doesn’t give him the full credit due for what he does.
Pre-trek hike #2: Laguna Rajucolta. Telephoto view of Huantsan (6,369 m), located in the Cordillera Blanca (Huascaran National Park).
Abner tightens the ropes holding a portion of the day’s load to be transported from our camp at Janca (Laguna Mitucocha) to Laguna Carhuacocha.
Siula Grande.