Aiming higher: Laguna Huangagocha

From Huamochuco we plan to head higher and wilder. The route will take us over 4300m. We are still working on our altitude acclimatisation, which limits how much we can increment our night time altitude. As we have spent quite a lot of nights now between 3000 and 3200m and this will be a relatively short day, we decide to push the limits just a little and aim at Laguna Huangagocha at 3850m. It allows a potentially rather nice campsite, and makes the following tough and high day a little more feasible.

After a steep climb out of Huamachuco, we have an easy 10km downhill on tarmac and then turn off onto a dirt road, its rough and we are climbing steadily. Many roads in the mountains in Peru are there courtesy of the mining traffic. So, we politely stand to one side, whilst a convoy of around 15 heavily laden trucks pass, going not all that much faster than us. We time our breathing to avoid the worst of the dust.

We turn off the “main” dirt road, onto a much steeper and bumpier one and with some huff and puff arrive at the lake. Its the first time we have been really away from towns and villages for a night - and it is lovely.

We are there in good time, so can take it easy enjoying a wonderful rainbow before turning in early. At this altitude its chilly once the sun has gone.Leer más