Posted on Jun 26, 2015
During June some of the Expedio team took time out for a trek in the Cordillera Blanca in Peru. We could try and disguise it as a corporate retreat for analysis and self actualisation. In reality it was an amazing 10 day trek at altitude. Only 30km long by 15km wide, the compact Cordillera Huayhuash (pronounced why-wash - with the second syllable rhyming with "rash") really punches above its weight. Packed into this small region are three major summits over 6000m, countless other razor-sharp peaks, bejewelled alpine lakes, chaotic ice falls, gargantuan rock faces and fascinating contorted strata. Magnificent scenery awaits at every turn; it’s not surprising that this circuit has many people’s vote for best trek on the South American continent.
Along the way there was time for ample contemplation. As we trekked at above 4000 metres most of the way, with a mountain pass every day – one of over 5000 metres – we were in awe of the mountain scenery, alpine lakes, and lack of anything much else. No cellphone connections. No internet. No roads. No cars. No shops. Our team of donkeys, and donkey driver, carried our provisions for the ten days. Below zero every night, but with brilliant high altitude sunshine every day, it was a real test of physical endurance for desk jockeys.
And of course there are the inevitable comparisons. I will leave it to you, patient reader, to draw the comparison between the preparation needed for a trip such as this, and the job of an industrial real estate agent. Because in both endeavours, without correct preparation, failure is potentially not far away.
Planning is critical for an adventure such as this. Whilst it may be insignificant compared to the adventures of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, it pushed us a reasonable way towards our physical limits. Whilst we did carry our faithful PLB (personal locator beacon) we have no idea whether there would have been the equivalent of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter within 1000 km to come to our aid, should we have needed it.
Typically most people do this trek in an organised group with guides, cooks and donkeys (with drivers). We chose to use a map as our guide, and hired 4 donkeys and donkey driver to carry our tents, cooking gear and enough food for 10 days for our party of four.
Ensuring we had the correct amount of food – and gas to cook it with – and layers of clothing, plus emergency equipment was all part of the preparation. Once we were out there, there was no going back. The only way out would be to ditch some gear and straddle a donkey. Even that wouldn’t get us far as donkeys are typically carrying only 30kg. Up close and personal they are incredibly hard working – but small. I am in awe of their ability to climb mountains with weights on their backs. And then at the end of the working day have to go out and forage for their dinner. At altitude there isn’t a lot that grows.
Each morning we awoke at sub-zero temperatures and donned a few extra layers – not that there were many layers less during the night – to tackle the day’s mountain pass. As the day warmed a few layers would be shed. But the biggest challenges were not the wind and the cold, they were personal and physical, and the rewards massive in terms of stunning vistas and accomplishment. I learned that I could do almost what a donkey could do. I could climb a 5000 metre mountain pass. But the donkey could do it quicker, with our food and gear on it’s back, and without breaking a sweat. Very humbling.
But then I consoled myself by thinking that the donkey didn’t have to plan and prepare for the trip. It just had to do what the donkey driver told it.
And that’s the difference.
For more about the trek : http://thewindinourwheels.blogspot.co.nz/2015/06/the-huayhuash-circuit-trek.html
For more about the Cordillera Blanca:
