August 17, 2023
Pristine alpine lakes in front of the impressive Cordillera Huayhuash (John Hodder)
Today our Peru trekkers made it to the top of Punta Yauche, sitting at 15,825 feet! After reaching the top, they were able to descend back to about 13,000 feet along the shores of Jahuacocha. This camp has incredible vistas of the mountains while being nestled lakeside. Tomorrow the group keeps going and will cross Pampa Llamac Pass!
Audrey Simonson
August 15th 2023–
Trekking over Punta Cuyoc, the highest point of the trip (John Hodder)
IMG Guide Tyler Nachand called in celebration this morning because the team reached their highest point yesterday at Punta Cuyoc 16,550′. While these highpoints throughout the trek are not summits, the team was elated by the spectacular viewpoints and their achievements in amazing terrain. The team spent the night at Hatun Cuyoc 14,770′ before departing over San Antonio Pass today.
All is well in Peru!
August 14th, 2023–
Mules on the trail walking over the Portachuelo de Huayhuash pass (John Hodder)
IMG Guide Tyler Nachand reports after a restful night at Huayhuash, the team moved well yesterday to reach Paso Portachuelo Huayhuash (15,670′), the highest pass to date. All climbers are acclimatizing well with each step requiring less effort. Impressive views continued throughout the duration of their day and at their camp near Lagoon Viconga (14,470′). This morning, the team woke up and began heading towards the highest pass of the trek, Cuyoc (16,550′).
August 12th, 2023–
Pristine alpine lakes in front of the impressive Cordillera Huayhuash (John Hodder)
After a restful night at Lagoon Carhuacocha, IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports today the team has successfully trekked through the impressive Siula Pass, (15,740′), where the Cordillera Huayhuash stretches out in its grandeur, with spectacular peaks surrounding the views. They descended to an area known as Huayhuash (14,100′) and were rewarded with a hearty and delicious meal. The team hopes to get some good rest before they continue their way towards Paso Portachuelo Huayhuash (15,670′) tomorrow.
August 11th, 2023–
Mules with their load off after trekking above Laguna Carhuacocha (John Hodder)
IMG Guide Tyler Nachand checked in from Lagoon Carhuacocha (13,700ft) reporting high spirits and clear weather. The team enjoyed spectacular views today while trekking over Carhuac Pass at just over 15,000ft. The team is utilizing the classic ‘trek high, sleep low’ strategy to enjoy phenomenal high-altitude views and sleeping comfortably at a relatively low elevation to help facilitate their acclimatization. The team has one of their best views ahead of them tomorrow, from the famed Siula Pass at nearly 16,000ft. The position will be unmatched as the Huayhuash sprawls in the valleys below.
All is well in Peru!
August 11th, 2023–
En route to camp near Laguna Mitucocha (John Hodder)
It’s been a busy two days for the Huayhuash trekkers in Peru. IMG guide Tyler Nachand and the team are now “off the grid†and checking in by satellite phone. They report that on Wednesday the team departed Huaraz and drove to the town of Llamac, and then continued to Cuartelwayin, at 13,800 ft for their first night on the trek. On Thursday, the team started with an uphill ascent to their first pass (Paso CCaccananpunta) at 15,400 ft, before dropping down into a fertile valley, around a ridge, and then up to their second camp slightly below Laguna Mitucocha, at about 14,000 ft. The weather has been excellent, perfect for trekking and the incredible views, a great way to start in the Huayhuash!
August 9, 2023
IMG Huayhuash Team at Laguna Churup
IMG leader Tyler Nachand reports that the team had a second acclimatization day with perfect weather. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel in Huaraz the team set off for a hike up to Laguna Churup. Following the climbers’ adage “climb high, sleep low” they hiked up to 14,750 feet (4500m) with stunning views of the lake and only a handful of other hikers, before descending back to Huaraz. Now the team are doing their final packing for the beginning of the Huayhuash Trek tomorrow.
Eric Simonson
Aug 8, 2023 –
Tyler and the team on their acclimatization hike (Tyler Nachand)
IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports that the Huayhuash Trek team had a nice acclimatization hike today, ascending from Huaraz (10,000 feet) to about 12,300 feet at Laguna (lake) Wilcacocha. Afterward, they had a relaxing lunch at our Peru guide Maximo’s refugio, with stunning views of the central and southern peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Maximo and his family grow potatoes, wheat, and barley on their farm outside of Huaraz, in addition to being in the tour business. Tomorrow the team will do a second day of acclimatization hiking in the Huaraz area before they start the Huayhuash Trek. So far everyone is acclimatizing well and having a great time.
The team enjoy the views of the Cordillera Blanca (Tyler Nachand)
August 7th, 2023–
IMG guide Tyler Nachand reports from Peru that the Huayhuash trekkers all arrived on schedule with their luggage.  That’s the news we like to hear!
First views of the Cordillera Blanca for the Huayhuash trekkers (Tyler Nachand)
Yesterday the team linked up with our longtime local Peru guide Maximo Henostroza and traveled north from Lima and then turned east to the town of Huaraz, immediately adjacent to the very spectacular Cordillera Blanca range of mountains. Huaraz is nearly 10,000 feet in elevation so the team will spend the next two days doing acclimatization hikes in preparation for starting the Huayhuash Trek. This trek will take them nearly 90 miles through 8 high altitude passes, the highest at an impressive 16,700′.  It sounds like everything is off to a good start!
Huayhuash Map (Tyler Nachand)
July 24th, 2023–
On the summit of Uhuru Peak (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Ang Jangbu reports that the team had a very nice climb to the Top of Africa today, with 100% of the team reaching the true summit in perfect weather. The team climbed the Barafu Route to Stella Point (where they hit the Crater rim), then traversed left around to the highest point at Uhuru Peak. After reaching the summit, they descended back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and to get packed up, before continuing their descent to Mweka Camp down at treeline. After a good night sleep they will finish the descent tomorrow morning back down to the Mweka Gate, where they will get picked up for the drive to Moshi at the foot of the mountain. Well done team!!
Departing Barafu Camp at midnight (Ang Jangbu Sherpa)
Last steps to Stella Point with Mawenzi in the background (Eric Simonson)
Sunrise over the summit of Mawenzi (Eric Simonson)
Back to Mweka Camp tired and happy (Ang Jangbu)
