Freedom to Roam: Santa Cruz Trek

Trail Head at Cashipampa

After spending a few days in the hills above Huaraz with our friends Eli and Katy, we decided to do the ever so popular Santa Cruz Trek located in the Cordillera Blanc 1.5 hours north of Huaraz. After loading up on supplies (food, tent, sleeping bags) we catch a jam packed collectivo (shared ride van) with locals and ride out the uncomforatable ride to Caraz where we catch a taxi to take us another 2.5 hours to the trail head at Cashipampa. Jam packed really.. Every possible square foot of these vans are taken up, elbow to elbow, knee to knee thats how they do it. A cultural experience.

We spent four nights on the trail, with rain occuring every night. I did worry a little too much about our leaky tent causing troubles but a little bit of plastic tarp and rain ponchos purchased for 9 soles ($3) went a long way. The real trouble we ran into with water occured on the second day. The start of the second day was amazing. Weather perfect with sunshine and peaks over 6000 meters came into view. We passed beautiful alpine lakes and the famous Alpamayo (Paramount pictures mountain). Half way through the day we lost the trail by mistaking it for a cattle trail (we were told you cant lose the trail). Soon our party of four was split by the river Eli going up the right side of the river while the rest of us went up the left side where the trail was non-existent (little did we know). After figuring out that we were on the wrong side of the river and Eli was on the trail we needed to find a river crossing. Crossing the fast moving steep river would not be easy and claimed a victim. So... we became a little desperate to cross the river and we were forced to bush wack our way along the river to find a suitable crossing. In times like this bad decision making can come easy as I said before trying to cross a section of river that moved to fast and deep. Desperatly trying to cross this section and with lifeguard Eli on the other side in sandles and swim shorts to give a helping hand, I lost. My body was thrown towards the water, my feet were were taken out and I lean into the river to catch myself. The weight of my pack pushes me down as I try to balance myself and get out of the water. Eli yells "get out of there", I look down only to see our Camera (prized possesion for the trip) soaking wet with water dripping out the neoprene case. Should have put it into the dry bag. Meirda! Thinking the worst for the camera we still try to revive it, taking serious measures to dry it out and bring it back to life Julia babies it from the time it got out of the river till when we get to camp.

Sin camera for the next day still trying to revive it (at this point we haven`t yet attempted to power it on) we cross the pass of the trail, Punta Union at 4760 meters and see the most picturesque views I`ve viewed. The next night we camp on the other side of the pass at an alpine lake, the camera has lost the condensation in the LCD screen and appears dry. We attempt to power it on and Success. The camera DOES work. We hike the rest of the trail downhill throught the valley and meet some interesting villagers along the way. All in all a great trip with a few forgetable road blocks along the way. The next day we rest and hangout in town and make a big descion for adventure the next day.