In the summertime of 2014, I put collectively a traverse of Peru\u2019s Cordillera Blanca. One of many world\u2019s highest and most lovely mountain ranges, to the very best of my information, it was the primary time that such a trek had been accomplished.<\/em><\/p>\n Starting on the village of Hualcallan and ending at Pastoruri Glacier, the route consisted of a mixture of established trails, cross-country scrambles, and the occasional stretch alongside backcountry filth roads. Measuring roughly 400 km (249 mi) in size, it took 16 days to finish and included greater than 20 mountain passes ranging between 4,347 m and 5,201 m (14,262 ft-17,064 ft). <\/em>After eight years and fairly a couple of requests, I\u2019ve lastly put collectively a \u201cfast & soiled\u201d information for the route (no level speeding these items \ud83d\ude09 ). The article consists of GPS information, logistical suggestions, alternates, and trekking notes for the route\u2019s 4 levels. <\/em><\/p>\n Views from slightly below Ishinca Go (5,201 m), the very best level on the CBT (Stage 2).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n CBT Shout-outs<\/strong><\/span>: Earlier than getting began, I\u2019d like to say two folks in regard to the CBT \u2013 Austin Lillywhite and Ryan \u201cDirtmonger\u201d Sylva. The previous accomplished three of the trek\u2019s 4 levels in 2017 and was sort sufficient to offer data on a few alternate routes. The latter is an outdated pal who, together with a pair of mates (Bobcat and Stef), accomplished the CBT in 2018 and has contributed up to date logistical data, images, and route choices from their journey (Be aware<\/strong><\/span>: For extra on Austin and DM see on-line assets<\/a> beneath).<\/em><\/p>\n Contents<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Nearing Paso Yanayuca (picture courtesy of Ryan \u201cDirtmonger\u201d Sylva) (Stage 1)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n At a Look<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Distance<\/b><\/span>: \u00a0249 miles (400 km) approx.<\/span><\/p>\n Common Length<\/b><\/span>:\u00a0 16-22 days<\/span><\/p>\n Begin \/ End<\/b><\/span>: \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Highest Elevation<\/span>: <\/b>Ishinca Go (5,201 m\/17,064 ft)<\/p>\n Lowest Elevation<\/b><\/span>: Hualcallan (3,133 m\/10,279 ft)<\/span><\/p>\n Complete Elevation Acquire<\/strong><\/span>: 25,417 m (83,389 ft)<\/p>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The pyramid-shaped Alpamayo (5,947 m\/19,511 ft) illuminated by the late-afternoon solar (Stage 1)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Rising as much as 10 m (33 ft) excessive, Puya Raimondii<\/em> <\/a>crops are endemic to the high-altitude areas of the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes. They’re the world\u2019s largest Bromeliad and are referred to as the \u201cQueen of the Andes.\u201d (Stage 4)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cordillera Blanca Miscellanea<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cordillera Blanca Vary Overview Map<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One Route, 4 Phases<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n For the needs of resupply, I cut up the CBT into 4 levels (click on on the hyperlinks beneath for journal entries from 2014). Every of the stage trailheads is accessible by public transport, which means that people that aren\u2019t involved in thru-hiking the CBT may probably do a number of of the levels as stand-alone hikes (Be aware<\/strong><\/span>: Distances have been up to date as of 2022, and can fluctuate relying on route decisions):<\/p>\n Cordillera Blanca Traverse \u2013 Google Map Overview<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Nationwide Park Allow<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The CBT takes place in Parque Nacional Huascar\u00e1n. For any multi-day hike within the park, you\u2019ll have to acquire a trekking allow from their workplace in Huaraz (-9.53203, -77.52984) earlier than setting out.<\/p>\n Season<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cashan Go in late August (5,157 m\/16,919 ft) \u2013 One of many hardest of the CBT\u2019s 21 passes, Cashan could also be snowbound early within the mountain climbing season (Be aware<\/strong><\/span>: The southern facet of the go nonetheless had fairly a little bit of ice\/snow when this picture was taken) (Be aware 2<\/strong><\/span>: The go is the little notch within the centre of the picture)(Stage 3)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n How Lengthy Will it Take?<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Laguna Cullicocha (4,620 m) \u2013 The primary of many lakes alongside the route (Stage 1)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pre-CBT Acclimatization Technique<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n After the preliminary climb out of Hualcallan, virtually all the CBT takes place above 4000 m (13,123 ft). I can\u2019t emphasize strongly sufficient that it is a hike for which you could be well-acclimatized earlier than setting out.<\/p>\n In an effort to keep away from potential points with AMS (Acute Mountain Illness<\/em>), plan to spend on the very least two or three days in Huaraz (3640m \/ 11,942 ft) earlier than starting the CBT. Throughout your keep within the regional hub, do some brief excursions such because the Laguna 69 (-9.01074, -77.61178) and Laguna Churup (-9.48503, -77.42871) trails, each of that are simply accessed through public transport from Huaraz. When you’ve got the time, I\u2019d additionally counsel mountain climbing the close by Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit<\/a> earlier than the CBT. For extra data on acclimatization, see Ideas for Excessive Altitude Mountain climbing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Snow-capped horizons close to Alto de Pucaraju (4,615 m) (Stage 1)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Transport<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The village of Hualcallan is the start line of the CBT. This picture was taken from the switchbacks above the village.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The rapidly-shrinking Pastoruri glacier, the southern terminus of the CBT.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Water & Resupply<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Meandering stream in Quebrada Honda (Stage 2)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tenting & Lodging<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n On the route itself<\/em><\/span>, you’ll be able to wild camp<\/strong> just about wherever you want. That stated, I\u2019d keep away from establishing too near villages or shepherd encampments (which can be patrolled by territorial guard canine).<\/p>\n There\u2019s one full-service mountain hut alongside the route \u2013 Refugio Ishinca.<\/strong> Located within the shadows of \u00a0Toclarraju<\/em> (6,032m) and Polcaraju<\/em> (6,110m) peaks,\u00a0Refugio Ishinca<\/em> was an surprising bonus. Half anticipating a semi-dilapidated backcountry outpost, what I acquired as a substitute was cozy beds, good meals, useful employees, and even a solar-powered bathe!<\/p>\n In City<\/em><\/span>: The regional capital of Huaraz<\/strong> has a large number of choices to swimsuit all budgets. Throughout my time on the town, I stayed on the Resort Churup, which I can extremely advocate. Juan Quiros Romero and his household have been wonderful hosts, the breakfasts have been first-rate, the rooms snug, and so they saved my additional baggage after I was out within the boonies. Double thumbs up.<\/p>\n Relating to the opposite cities alongside the route, in Chacas<\/strong>, I arrived late and ended up staying at a dodgy place whose solely redeeming characteristic was that it was centrally situated. As for Chavin de Huantar<\/strong>, I stayed on the characterful Hostal La Casona on the Plaza de Armas. I\u2019m 99% sure that this was the identical place I stayed at in 1996, and for the sake of nostalgia, I couldn\u2019t resist returning 18 years later. On the distant probability that they’re studying this submit, shout-out to my 1996 touring\/mountain climbing companions, Sylvia, Fleischy, and Dave.<\/p>\n Campsite (Stage 2 \u2013 Shallup Go Alternate)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chacas Village<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Refugio Ishinca<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Photogenic llama at Chavin de Huantar archeological web site (semi-obligatory facet journey between levels 3 and 4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n GPS & Maps\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n I put collectively the CBT route in 2014 with the assistance of the below-listed topo maps, Google Earth, and Jim Bartles\u2019s basic Cordillera Blanca textual content (see beneath). When mountain climbing the route, I used stated maps and a Suunto M-2 compass for navigation. I additionally took alongside a Garmin Foretrex, with which I took waypoints of notable spots alongside the route.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n FWIW, since 2015, Gaia GPS<\/a> (along with Google Earth) has been my go-to mapping software when planning these kinds of journeys, although I\u2019ve periodically used Caltopo<\/a> when placing routes collectively within the States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thehikinglife.com\/the-hiking-life-2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/P1010253-scaled.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n