Cusco - Lima - Huraz
After recouperating in Cusco we decided to move on to Huraz but discovered we´d have to go via Lima (the Capital). We got an overnight bus to Lima that left at 5 but got nowhere fast - we were still in Cusco 3hrs later…. We were quick to discover that traffic was going nowhere all streets had been closed for a car rally!!! This along with the fact our bus didn´t move very quickly meant we didn´t arrive into Cusco till midday the next day . The bus also drove the long way to Cusco through the area recently affected by the earthquake which was interesting to see even if it was from a bus. Most places were in ruins and people were living in tents but from what we could see people were getting back to everyday life kids flying kites small restaurants selling breakfast etc.
Lima didn´t really appeal to us so we decided to head straight on to Huraz that night but we did get to visit the San Martin square. We also called into a pub famous for wax works of great soccer players. Garrett can now proudly say he had coke (coca - cola don`t panick) with Maradona. So off we went again on another overnight bus and again our luck was out just as we were drifting into a lovely sleep we were woken and told to move to a new (not as comfortable) bus. Two hours later we were parked up on the side of a road after the tire blew out (don´t seem to be having much luck with buses lately). We eventually got to Huraz were we decided we were due a treat so we booked ourselves into a really nice room complete with a Jacuzzi (pretty cool).
The following day we looked around to organise some ice climbing in the nearby mountains we found a company we were happy enough with so arranged to leave the next day on a two day trip. We left around 9 the next morning on a tourist bus heading to the same glacier ( Mt. Pastouri ). We arrived around 12 with a stop at a site or two - cactus valley and naturally formed carbonated water (there were some really cool llamas here that you could have photos with, they were wearing hats and sunglasses and shawls!!!). We picked up an additional traveler who was only there to try climbing for the day so once the bus parked up we headed off in a quieter direction to everyone else where Christian could try out his ice climbing skills. Slightly boring for us as we had to sit around and watch him for 2hrs!!! At two it was time for Christian to catch the bus back and time for us to set up camp. We had two guides with us Walter and Hindi (that was his nickname) and between the four of us we had the two tents up in no time. One tent directly behind the other and both put up real close to the hill to reduce the wind attacking us during the night. Our camp was right beside a small lake (the glaciers are melting and the lake was formed from the meltwater) with the glacier in the background. Garrett headed off to try some ice climbing for an hour after we´d had lunch and they were just finishing up when it decided to snow - heavily. We all climbed into our tent (which was the bigger of the two) to cook dinner. When the two guides opened the outside door to leave all you could see was white it was brilliant until we tried to sleep - me being the eternally cold person i am woke up a couple of times in the night due to the cold or it might have been from the noise of some of the glacier falling - eerie when there is no other sound to be heard….
It was up early only to discover that the sky was overcast so delayed our departure time from camp till nine at which time we put on the really awkward snow shoes and crampones for a hike to the summit which is a lot tougher than one would think as the boots are heavy and you are at 5000ft. Eventually got to the top where we had a nice view (it was still fairly overcast) and also another hilltop - no snow here so my big boots hindered me and after a slight slip i decided (very wisely) to stay put while the three boys walked to the top. A half hour later they returned and we headed back to camp.
A snowfight, snowman and some sliding later we arrived at the base of the glacier were it was time to do some more ice climbing again. Garrett of course got straight into it and got to the top of the rope, i on the other hand got to the first peg (rock climbing and ice climbing are out for me i think i just don´t have the arm power). After this it was a quick rush to pack up and get back in time for the return bus to Huraz. As the bus trip wore on our faces started to get redder and redder oh yes!!! it had been so cold and overcast we´d forotten about sunscreen can only guess what little sun there had been had reflected on the glacier.
We woke up the next day both with sore faces but as usual i was worse my lips had doubled in size and were blistering - Garrett thought it was hilarious (I secretly think hes trying to kill me.)
S&G