A chilly start to the day with frost on the ground and ice on the stream, followed by cresting the Salkantay Pass at 15,200 feet, then continuing into the tropical valley at Challway. The views through the Salkantay Pass are amazing, and well worth the brutal switchback hike to get there. We took lunch in a nice grassy field after going through the pass and heard a massive avalanche in the mountains near us.

Cold Morning in Soraypampa

Cold Morning in Soraypampa
A very cold morning in Soraypampa as we get ready to climb Salkantay.


Out to Pasture

Out to Pasture
Horses grazing on the slopes between Soraypampa and Salkantay


Happy Hikers

Happy Hikers
Gabo and Shelby are glad to be done with the switchbacks!


Right of Way

Right of Way
A pack of horses and mules come barreling down the slope from Salktay towards us.


There

There
At the top of the Salkantay pass – the old sign.


Proud moment

Proud moment
We’re all bundled up, but sweating under our layers from the hike up the Salkantay Pass


Lines and Colors

Lines and Colors
Colored mountains and interesting shear lines surround Salktantay


Yes, You’re Here

Yes, You're Here
It’s a cold, stark place at the top of the Salkantay Pass.


Cheers

Cheers
Gabo and Shelby ham with the sign.


Blue Glacier

Blue Glacier
The Salkantay Glacier is blue in the midday light.


Heading Down

Heading Down
Gabo leads us down the west side of the Salkantay Pass towards greener, warmer climes.


Into the Rain Forest.

Into the Rain Forest.
Shelby stops for a moment of reflection as we descend into the rain forest towards Challway.