Objective: Yanapaccha 5460m, Chopicalqui 6354m & Alpamayo 5947m, Peru
After my trip to New Zealand last year (Practice Run No.1), I had set myself some objectives I wanted to achieve this year. Then with wrist surgery at the beginning of the year followed by a long and protracted rehab period, I was about to call this year a write off and reset for next year. But the past six or so weeks I have started to feel much better so decided to put plans back in place.
So what am I up to now?
Well, my current objective (Practise Run No.2) is to attempt three peaks in the Cordillera Blanca (translated to White Corridor) in the Peruvian Andes. The three peaks being:
- Yanapaccha (5460m) – An acclimatisation climb plus opportunity for skills training.
- Chopicalqui (6354m) – To attempt a true +6000m climb.
- Alpamayo (5947m) – This one was never on the original to-do list, but when I saw a photo of it, I was immediately intrigued so added it in. I will admit, I initially thought there must be a relatively easy route up one of the ridgelines but no such luck. The main route is called the French Direct route, and as the name suggests, it goes directly up the main face.
So the past 6 weeks have been extremely hectic trying to get back to some reasonable level of fitness, plus putting all planning in place for the trip, while also begging / borrowing / buying / stealing all the gear I need (ok, not too much stealing). Almost ready to go.
Cheers,
Steve