July 2013. Scott Berry and I completed Jeremy Frimer's alpine circumnavigation of the Cordillera Huayhash mountain range outside of Llamac, Peru.

Over 8 days, we undertook what is quite possibly the best hike in the world. We made two glacier crossings, one rappel, and there is even some low 5th climbing near one of the passes. The route consists of approximately 20,000' of elevation gain and descent over 60 miles, crossing five 5500+ meter passes, and is the single most beautiful trip I've ever had the privilege of taking.

More info on this trek can be found on Jeremy's website here: http://jeremyfrimer.wix.com/huayhuash-alpine

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Brother and sister playing in the streets of Chiquián.

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Our friends we shared a bus ride with from Chiquián to Llamac; the gateway to the HuayHuash.

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Hiking out of Llamac.

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First views of the range out of Llamac.

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Yerupajá and Rasac bathing in the alpenglow.

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Qonsti Casha is used in roof construction of adobe houses to create a lattice on which ceramic tiles are placed.

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Mataji, and her offspring.

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The Wamanpinta plant is boiled in water and used as a diuretic, more specifically for UTI's.

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The adventure begins! Heading for Rasac Punta after our first night at Jahuacocha, counterclockwise around the range.

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Rasac Punta finally in sight now...

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Qallu-qallu; qallu in Quechua means tongue; and is used as a remedy for heart pain.

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Looking down Rasac Punta, the first pass. We crampon up, and set camp for the second night near the small lagoon in the photo.

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Alpenglow on Rasac Oeste.

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Looking back on Rasac Punta and Rasac Oeste, on the morning of our third day. Jaeger solo'd the first ascent of Rasac Oeste up the obvious ramp. He then continued on to climb Rasac proper.

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Numerous ice lines up the south face of Rasac from Quebrada Segya.

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The route from Rasac Punta up the pass north of Rosario.

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Nearing the pass...

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Carnicero shrouded in clouds. 5960 meters.

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Yerupajá South Face, West Face of Siula Grande and Serapo

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Looking back on our route from near our camp for the third night at Laguna Jurau.

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Gaining the glacier above Laguna Jurau.

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Scott applying friction.

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Jurau D, E and F. 5500+ meters

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Passing through Trapecio Punta.

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Our camp for the fourth night below the West Face of Trapecio. 5653 meters.

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South Face of Trapecio. Alex Lowe solo'd a vertical ice flow up the right side of this face.

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Nevados Jurau from the south. Departing from the Valley Circuit... gunning for Siula Pass where we spend our fifth night.

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Siula Grande's East Face from Siula Pass.

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Yerupajá East Face from Siula Pass. Messner climbed a new route on this aspect in 1969.

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Yerupajá's flutings.

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Yerupajá Chico and Jirishanca.

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Dropping below Siula Pass.

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Jirishanca Chico from the Jirishanca base camp.

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Jirishanca.

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From the pass east of Jirishanca Chico.

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Alcaycocha. 4670 meters.

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The route begins to arc to the west around Jirishanca Chico out to this hanging valley. The locals had trapped a herd of "wild" horses in here, hence our name.

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We found hundreds of these ammonoid fossils being pushed up out of this fault at 17,000' entering the hanging valley. Also known as shaligram when these holy stones are found on the bank of Kali Gandaki River in Nepal. It is forbidden to purchase shaligram. Vishnu is sometimes known as shaligram, and the stone is a material manifestation of Lord Krishna.

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We spend our sixth night just below the hanging valley. After encountering difficulties in the pass north of Paria Peak, we try our luck on the pass south of the peak. It doesn't go.

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Wrong way!

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Go this way!!!

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Night #7 on the ridge/pass!

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Descending Garagocha Punta to Laguna Garagocha. We make one rappel here.


After eight days, we're back on the streets of Chiquián! Hope you enjoyed!
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