Climbing in the Cordillera Blanca with Logan Talbott
Q: What’s it like to climb in the Cordillera Blanca? Describe the variety of terrain and range of skill level of the climbs.
Logan: Imagine walking along a small footpath winding through a huge green valley, with crystal clear water flowing down the middle and wildflowers here and there. Above you and surrounding you are immense, towering snow-capped peaks that rise almost 10,000 feet above. This is the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. The stunning scenery is among the most jaw-dropping and impressive regions I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. The mountains are steep and there are few easy routes to the top. From the massive Huascaran (22,205’/6,768m) to the stunning fluted face of Alpamayo (19,511’/ 5,947m), The “Blanca” is a climbers dream. We run introductory (Peru Climbing School), intermediate (Climb Pisco and Chopicalqui) and advanced climbs (Alpamayo and Quitaraju Expedition, Climb Artesonraju) in The Blanca, with something for everyone.
Q: What makes the region so special?
Logan: Climbing and trekking in Peru is a very unique experience. We run trips all over the world, and each place has Its special attributes. Peru though….it just blew me away the first time I visited. The people are so incredibly friendly and our local team is so dialed that I can’t wait to return. As your bus crests over the plateau and nears the high altitude town of Huaraz, the towering peaks of the Cordillera Blanca come in to view for the first time. Combine the insane terrain with the vibrant culture of downtown Huaraz (think South American cowboy version of Chamonix) and you have a winning combination for a memorable trip.
Q: What is Peruvian food like?
Logan: You’ve got to try Lomo Saltado, and the Pachamanca at the end of the trip will blow you away!
Q: What is the training like for some of these peaks?
Logan: Like any big mountain objective, lungs and legs are the things to focus on. While some of the more technical peaks (Alpamayo) require steep ice climbing, you’ll never get there without first having a very solid level of cardiovascular fitness. I find that ski touring in the winter and trail running in the summer is the best way for me personally to keep my base-level fitness at an acceptable level for these types of trips. I’ll through in some strength training and rock climbing to round things off.
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