GLACIAR PASTORURI

40 km after Huaraz, on the road to Lima, we take a bumpy dirt track that goes into the puna with its short grass and its swamps where bulls and horses graze. The track leads through the Quebrada de Pachacoto towards the splendid snow-capped volcanoes. After Carpa, at an altitude of 4,000 m, at the foot of the nevus that lick it, it makes its way between the puya Raimondi, these incredible cactus in the shape of one-branched candlesticks that grow here in abundance. They can grow up to 10 m tall and live for more than 100 years, flowering only once. Surprising!

At the top of the pass, at 4,850 m (one of the highest in Peru), a path on the left leads to the famous Pastoruri glacier. The glacier is one of the symbols of the evils of global warming. Indeed, in 40 years, it has lost more than 52% of its ice cover and it is no longer possible to ski or climb it. However, the landscapes are superb and you can still get close to the first snows, unfortunately not so eternal anymore... The trail then continues towards Huanzalá, Huallanca, La Unión, skirting a serac balanced above it. This high valley offers perhaps one of the most beautiful landscapes of the sierra. All along the 30 km or so of track, circular thatched shepherds' huts can be seen between the streams.

If you are in the area, the Pastoruri glacier is not to be missed, as it is feared that in a few years there will be very little ice left at its heights.