Ishinca from Urus

Two of the most popular acclimatisation peaks in the Cordllera Blanca can easily be climbed from the Ishinca valley are Urus Este and Ishinca. From the valley, neither summit is visible, but after hiking up the easy slopes of Urus for a while, Ishinca comes into view. Urus Este is the easier of the two. It's a much shorter climb, and, as glaciers go, this one is not particulary dangerous. Ishinca is longer, and starting a few hours before sunrise is highly recommended. The glaciers are bigger, and have some crevasses. The most notable one perhaps is the bergschrund right below the summit on the SW side. However, from this distance, none of that is visible. The many agencies in Huaraz will be happy to guide novices up these mountains, and if you've never had the pleasure, this is as good a place to start as any. Ideally, climb both, if you have to choose, then climb Ishinca. 24 July 2011.