Huascarán Norte from the approach to Chopicalqui

On the way up, the weather wasn't particularly good, but on the way down it was fine and I took lots of pictures. From the trail head to base camp is just half an hour, so it would only make sense to use that if you need a rest day between climbs, or if you're not properly acclimatized yet. Right after base camp, the trail follows a moraine ridge for a while, then it crosses the old glacier before heading up a moraine ridge on the other side, up to moraine camp. This photo is taken in from the bolder field where the glacier used to be. The pointy summit on the left may look quite respectable compared to Huascarán Norte, but that's just a matter of perspective. It's not a big peak at all, it's the start of the moraine ridge on the other side and to get up that ridge takes perhaps 10 minutes or so. 5 July 2011.