Happenings in Huaraz

Oh hey there!

Sorry its been so long since the last post but I promise to fill you in on our happenings! So we left off in Trujillo where we successfully navigted to Huaraz from. We took a night bus so arrived at about 9am in Huaraz but our hostess was ready and waiting for us at the station! Maruja took us back to her casa and fed us breakfast. After a quick power nap we were somewhat ready to go so we headed in to town to explore and try and plan out our next few days. Huaraz was almost completely destroyed in an earthquake in 1970 so it isnt the quaintest town but it lies beside the Cordillera Blancas so it has that going for it. We wandered into a cute restaurant called California Cafe that served up some delicious food and feeling refueled we headed to Galexia Tours to scope out our adventure options. We decided to go ice climbing the following day and then hit the Santa Cruz trail the day after for 3 days of trekking. Excited, we had a delish dinner and headed to bed early for our crack of dawn adventure the next day.

Ice climbing was pretty unreal. We were picked up from our hostel and drove for about 2 hours up a bumpy road until about 4500m. It was a 40 min walk from the car park to the edge of a glacier which is where we set up shop and climbed the midday way. I think I can speak for the whole group in saying the ice climbing was like rock climbing but more awkward and different in that you spend a lot less time looking for holds and a lot more time making your own with your ice axe. We all really liked it though and walked away feeling like little mountaineers. Unfortunately both Steph and I took a major turn for the worse that day. (I officially declare it the low point of my trip) and we quickly decided that trekking for 3 days was not going to be in the cards. Unfortuntely we had already paid for the trek and so we spent the drive home from climbing coming up with a strategy on how to break the bad news to Galaxia. Needless to say they were not impressed and we argued with them for quite a while before finally agreeing to half our money back and a day trek to Laguna 69. We left feeling a bit cheated and a bit relieved that we got anything back.

The next day we took a personal day and lounged around, read our books and added facebook pics. In the afternoon we headed into Huaraz to lounge some more and then we met up with our French friends from Vilcabamba for dinner! They were headed off to hike the Santa Cruz trek the following day and though jealous we agreed it just wasnt meant to be for us. SO! The next day we headed out to Laguna 69 instead! We drove to 3900m and then hiked about 3 hours to the lake at 4500m. AGAIN Steph and I took a turn for the worse and it was a hard slog upwards. We were with a couple of very nice Danish girls though and they kept our spirits high! I was feeling pretty good on the way down but poor Steph was still hurting and I know she was wishing for the hike to be over. Unfortunately for her though as we walked off the trail into the car park it became apparent that our driver had forgotten us. SIGH! 3 hours from home by car we started walking towards the highway. After another hour we managed to flag down 1 cab for the 7 of us and Allison, Les and I huddled in the trunk. At the next town we ended up splitting up in the two taxis for the rest of the journey which was more comfortable at least! We rolled into Huaraz 14 hours after leaving that morning exhausted and a little angry at Galaxia. HOWEVER! there is a silver lining! That night we went out for the GREATEST meal Ive had on the trip - a fruited indian curry and thus the day was saved!

The next day we were off to Lima and I will update you on that soooooon!!! Love and miss you guys!!

HALS