Iván on the slopes of Ampato

Time to turn back. We had just heard two ominous low sounds, as if a snow slab was trying to break free. Surprising, as there had not been fresh snowfall for a while, as far as we knew, but the sounds were a loud and clear signal.
The two of us had hired Iván, a local guide, for the climb, and he was more disappointed than we were. Well, going down was the only possible choice. Sometimes a mountain is just too dangerous.

25 May 2011.