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Castellano
Santa Cruz trek (taking 2 to 5 days) is the most famous trek in the Cordillera Blanca with spectacular views and altitudes between 2,900 and 4,800 m. Catalina Heredia of Colombia did it together with 5 others in four days. |
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I highly recommend to take "burritos" to carry your luggage over the irregular and dusty paths. You have to climb some parts where you will notice that the altitude makes it hard to breath. Burritos are driven by an "arriero", in our case this was friendly Raul Solis. A guide is practical for beginning trekkers or if you are alone. Advanced trekkers will find a good map sufficient. The paths and camping areas are well marked and well known by the "arrieros" who can be excellent travelling mates. Keep in mind to take food and a tent for your donkey driver if you hire one. |
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We chewed coca leafs that are supposed to make you more resitant against the altitude. To me it also seems to be a discusting habit. You put a handful of coca leafs in your mouth and slowly masticate it. For the full effect locals add ´cal´ (powdered limestone) which reacts with the coca and numbs your mouth. You are supposed to chew and spit for about 20 minutes, not swallowing the green coca saliva which can make your stomach ache.>>>>> |
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Get the coca leaves in local markets together with the delicious bread and cheese of the region which makes perfect food for the trek. The well matured "Urcon" cheese (queso urcon) is recommended. It is very important to take good sun block at these altitudes. It is cold just at night, during the day the sun is very strong.
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The first day we walked for 5 hours, most of the time going up from 2,900 to 3,600 m. At the first camp "Llamacorral" it is possible to get beer, bottled water, soda, and chips; It is the only place during the trek where you can buy goods. The second day we walked for five hours, taking it very easy. The path is mostly straight but at the end, just before reaching the camp, you climb up to 4.100 m.>>>>> |
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From the Taullipampa camp site you can see the spectacular summits of the Taulliraju (one of the most difficult to climb -about 21 days), the Rinrijirca, the Quitaraju the Pumapampa, Paria y Artesonraju. The famous Alpamayo summit can be seen if you halfway your second day make a little sidetrek to the North. I didn´t go up the path to the Alpamayo peak which is clearly marked. |
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The third day was the longest of the entire trek. We walked for seven hours, going up to the Punta Unión, the highest point at 4.750 m. and then going down in another valley, which seemed warmer and more humid with different vegetation. Just before arriving to the third camp site we went through a beautiful forest of Quenual trees (typical for the region). The "Quenualpampa" camp is at 3.800 m. in a valley surrounded by Quenual trees, rivers and water falls. It was our coldest night and we woke up surrounded by a thin layer of ice on the inside of the tent.>>>>> |
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The fourth and last day was the shortest (3 hours) but hard . At the end you climb up a steep hill to get to the road at a place called Vaquería. Here waited a 'combi' that took us in 2 hours over a stunning pass and along the famous green lakes of Llanganuco to Yungay. From there you can change combis to return in 2 hours to Huaraz for 3 sol. |
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Entrance fee to the park near Cashapampa was 5 sol. But for foreigners the entrance fee for the national park is 20 dollars. This we payed on our way out near the Llanganuco lakes. Fires are forbidden inside the park so take a gas stove. |
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Stoves are easy to get in any of the different places specialized in camping equipment arround Huaraz, as are tents (remember to take one for the donkey driver), sleeping bags (it is a very cold place), pots, drops to purify water (there is clean water all over the place, but still it is better to purify it). By Catalina Heredia
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