What It's Like to Hike the Peruvian Andes
Photo by Alex StrohlPeru was always somewhere that fascinated me, from Incan culture to the towering peaks of the Andes and the landscape's stark diversity. I had never been, but knew from experience that trying to fit everything in wasn’t the best way to experience a place. So my friends and I decided to pick a specific mountain region, the Cordillera Huayhuash, and immerse ourselves in what became eight days, 80 miles, all over 14,000 feet above sea level; enduring altitude sickness, wet tents, and sleeping bags, all amongst the incredible scenery of the Peruvian Andes. One of the most amazing things about the Cordillera Huayhuash was its scale, the incredible expanse of the alpine plateau. My hiking partner Isaac, standing off in the distance, gives some perspective, but it really is a place you need to experience for yourself to truly appreciate.
Photo by Alex StrohlSeeing these hot springs, high up in the mountains as we arrived in the early evening, was surreal. It had been a long day of trekking, and the hot water was a welcome friend. For a little while we had this treasure, tucked away at the Viconga campsite in the Andes, all to ourselves; able to relax and really take in the view. The hot springs are family-owned, and it cost us only around $3 per person to get in.
Photo by Alex StrohlOne of the most interesting parts of the trek was interacting with the locals. The lifestyle this high in the Andes was fascinating. The architecture in particular was intriguing to me— these beautiful stone buildings dotted the high alpine, and really helped tell a story about the people living in them.
Photo by Alex StrohlIt had been a rainy night at camp and we were all restless to get moving—one of those mornings where nothing but motion could warm you up. Our donkey handler was just coming back down the trail in a rain- soaked poncho to await our departure. We watched as he rode along the lakefront, thinking about how far removed this world was from everything else.