Trekking: Cordillera Huayhuash Day 2

Second day: Wednesday

Lake Mitucocha 4,200 m – Carhuac Pass 4,650 m – Lake Carhuacocha 4,150 m

Julio calls for breakfast.

Today we climb to the Carhuac Pass at an altitude of approximately 4,650 m; then descend to Lake Carhuacocha, where we will set up camp at approximately 4,150 m.

After breakfast, we break down our elaborate camp with a kitchen tent, dining tent, and three sleeping tents and leave the camp before the mules are even loaded.

We hike leisurely across meadows and moss toward the pass. Today, Julio is strictly in front, as we simply dropped him on the first day after a break before crossing the highest point and didn't see him again until we arrived at the camp.

The slope is gentle, with the beautiful snow-capped Huayhuash mountain range always in view on the right.

We trek up to the pass through tall, coarse, prickly grass. From the pass, we once again see the lagoon beneath which we camped; the even more beautiful glacial lake further up captivates our gaze.

The path continues rocky at a constant altitude until we reach meadows with grazing cows again.

We notice a pregnant cow with her ruptured amniotic sac hanging down, who, in her labor, is struggling with us up the mountain to a flat area where many cattle are grazing.

As we settle down for a rest, the cow lies down a few meters away. Interestingly, three bulls surround the soon-to-be-given mother, as if trying to ward off danger.

I would have loved to experience the natural spectacle that I often witnessed in the stable as a boy again in the wild, but we decided not to disturb the animals and moved on.

The trail descends through pastures; we see herds of cows, lakes, and small rivers until, in the distance, we spot a beautiful lagoon fed by numerous glaciers. Unfortunately, the view of the lake is blocked by unspectacular grassy hills as we continue our hike toward the campsite.

But we turn steeply downhill around the last of the aforementioned elevations, and a magnificent view opens up to us.

Upon closer inspection, it's the same lake from an hour earlier, only now from a new perspective; much closer, even more magnificent to behold. I take a photograph, we linger, and take in the wonderful view.

Just as we're about to leave, we hear the rumbling of a calving glacier. By chance, we witness enormous masses of ice crashing into the lake, causing the water level to rise noticeably.

I shudder at the thought of what would happen if house-sized chunks of ice thundered into the lake and tidal waves broke the moraine towards the valley with tremendous force.

Happy about the eventful day, we descend the steep path to the camp at Lake Carhuacocha (4,150 m), where our camp is already fully set up by Gaucho Allende: our tent is set up on the flattest spot possible.

The comfort our two companions provide us with is commendable and unique. In addition to the magnificent scenery, we are able to enjoy the hospitality and empathy of these simple people.

Grateful for the impressive experiences, I fall asleep contentedly.