The day’s track. This time cutting off the duplicate ride from Huaraz to show the lakes we’re headed to, in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Cordillera Blanca
We’re headed here
After riding back north from Huaraz we head east again at the town of Yungay. In 1970 an earthquake caused an avalanche which destroyed the town killing 20,000 people. Only 92 people on higher ground survived. All the buildings are newer than 1970
A few minutes beyond Yungay
Miles through this beautiful valley
A perfect country road
And after a while closer to this peak, over 20,000 feet and the cloud on the lee side is being created somehow and pulled away at an incredible speed. I watch it for quite a while
Higher up approaching a pass some ruins
My first Peruvian ruin. I grab my knife and go to check the precision masonry
Huh? It goes straight in. That’s disappointing
Higher up
Then up through this rocky pass. The video doesn’t show it well but it’s rough. It’s breathtaking
Down to the outflow of the first lake
There are interesting small trees
Interesting bark
Interesting flower
A little further
Then up onto a high ledge between the two lakes. That’s Lucinda checking out the view. It just doesn’t get any better than this
Midpoint
Stray cows at the lake end. They must be wild I think
Down to a strange causeway between Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha
Then up into the mountains beyond the lakes
The ride looks like it could go on forever, but it’s been a rough ride up and it’s 60 miles back to Huaraz. A friend asked me the other day if I remembered how rough the ride was up to Montevideo was in Costa Rica – I remember well.
Peru is turning out pretty well.
Saludos
