We continue on our trip, bordering mountainsides which, at the appropriate time, show us the entrance to a peaceful valley. Its quiet slopes lead us to the highest point called Punta Carhuac at 4,650 m .(15,250 ft.). The view shows us a Cordillera reluctant to fascinate us with all its splendor. For a moment, we have to be satisfied with it. We continue on our adventure on a flat valley that descends gently towards what seems to be a large windowpane. This makes us think that we will find a great slope at the end, but to our surprise we are met with enormous Lake Carhuacocha . Our senses and emotions are overwhelmed, but if we turn to look to the lake's surroundings, we will be truly amazed before the natural scene. We find ourselves at the defiant walls of Yerupaja Grande, Yerupaja Chico, Siula, Carnicero, Jirishanca Grande, Jirishanca Chico, mountains whose bases are decorated with beautiful bodies of water named Lake Quesillacocha , Lake Siula and Lake Cangrajanca . They pour into enormous Lake Carhuachocha 's blue-turquoise waters. The view is generous to us, since we can enjoy the mountains up close while the flowing water sings to us. We think such a view would not be possible had the Creator's hand not taken part in such a mesmerizing scene.
We continue on our way at the head of the lake towards a mountainside which we have to ascend among occasional slopes until we arrive to the top of a slightly challenging valley. We leave behind the beauty we were enjoying a few hours before. After a somewhat prolonged walk, we arrive to Punta Carnicero at 4,600 m .(15,090 ft.) where we are delighted by new natural surroundings. We go down a valley and head towards some lakes we have to border. Snowcapped Carnicero, Jurau and Trapecio are our faithful companions. We head to a village named Huayhuash, inhabited by indigenous farmers and ranchers who live in unique stone or adobe buildings with straw roofs. These friendly locals have preserved rich, ancestral customs and lead a peaceful lifestyle. This little town gives an excellent view of the majestic snowcapped Trapecio and Puscanturpa, true protectors of these peoples and elongated valleys. Our next step can be seen from here, as we walk along a trail that allows us to see a long traverse to the pass. Little by little, we begin to gain some altitude without much effort. We hike along occasionally rocky terrain which serves as dens to playful vizcachas , cute little animals resembling rabbits but with long, squirrel-like tails. Once in Punta Portachuelo at 4,750 m .(15,580 ft.) , seeing how close Puscanturpa and the majestic Trapecio southeast face are, is true motivation for our effort. If we look to the other side of the pass, the beauty does not end, since Cordillera Raura and its glacial peaks are located there. In spite of neither being too high nor challenging, this mountain range's summits offer a lovely landscape that we will remember with gratitude. We continue on our route following an encouraging downhill slope with gentle rolling hills and a natural area that constantly gives us pleasurable moments. We go around Lake Viconga 's emerald-green waters, which serves as a dam.
A few kilometers further down, we find a great source of thermal waters that extends several meters along the valley, inviting us to take a dip in its numerous water pits rudimentarily built by the inhabitants. It is truly relaxing for our bodies to be surrounded by the stillness of nature and its magical beauty, inviting us to enjoy it. What else could one ask for? As we take a pleasant, warm bath, we recall these experiences, which possibly, we may never relive. After this soothing experience, we hike on a valley which has Puscanturpa as its eternal, watchful guard and another peak that shyly emerges as we rush by. Cuyoc, imposing rock and ice giant, invites us to continue and enjoy its amazing walls as they rise up before us, showing us an entrance to another valley. At 5,000 m .(16,400 ft.) , Punta Cuyoc is the highest pass in our circuit. It is occasionally covered with snow and provides us with a wonderful view of the entire Cordillera. Deeply moved, we welcome the greatness and majesty of these mountains, gathered like an ensemble of exuberance and beauty. One of these, Cuyoc's northeast face, forms in a gigantic, totally vertical rock tower that emerges from the Huanacpatay Valley which proudly displays slopes on both sides. We admire two striking lakes that can be seen in the depths of this valley and a river with fascinating drops that gladdens our journey with its graceful movement.
As we go around the south side of this valley, we find the entrance to Calinca Valley . In a sudden descent, we enter its flat grasslands which lead us to the vicinity of Lake Jurau emerald-green waters along a less strenuous trail. We are met by Jurau's west face, an imposing ice and snow wall. Some of its companions, which stealthily protect the valley, incluye Carnicero's southeast face and Trapecio's west one. Encouraged by this valley's magic, we head towards Lake Sarapacocha , where one feels in a true paradise. This is by no means an exaggeration, although one would need to experience it personally. We are completely surrounded by the verticalness of ice walls that seem to have been taken from a gifted imagination. Its setting, icy and defying vertical walls, are only part of what our eyes can see in this wild paradise, filled with a silent, mysterious presence, leaving us amazed and speechless. We must point out that the west faces of Sarapo, Siula Grande and Siula Chico as well as the south faces of Yerupaja South and Rasac pose real challenges even for the most extreme climbers. Crossing their crevassed glaciers and serac masses hanging from the upper areas appear to be impossible trials, similar to those to come when having to face vertical walls that lead to icy summits and corniced ridges, resembling the blade of a knife. Just thinking about the possibility of being there sends chills down our spine as we recall that this wonderful place witnessed the most exciting story of mountain climbing survival. Feeling rewarded after having visited such a breathtaking place, we begin our journey towards a town named Huayllapa, among the slopes of surrounding mountains. Due to a downhill slope, a noisy river begins to flow more rapidly upon nearing this village. This town's narrow and only street welcomes us with typical adobe buildings and shingled roofs. Friendly adults and children watch curiously as tourists come in. Rich customs and traditions are maintained as the only existing lifestyle. Here, life is always peaceful and devoted to work in the fields.
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