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
A very cold morning in Soraypampa as we get ready to climb Salkantay.
Out to Pasture
Horses grazing on the slopes between Soraypampa and Salkantay
Happy Hikers
Gabo and Shelby are glad to be done with the switchbacks!
Right of Way
A pack of horses and mules come barreling down the slope from Salktay towards us.
There
At the top of the Salkantay pass – the old sign.
Proud moment
We’re all bundled up, but sweating under our layers from the hike up the Salkantay Pass
Lines and Colors
Colored mountains and interesting shear lines surround Salktantay
Yes, You’re Here
It’s a cold, stark place at the top of the Salkantay Pass.
Cheers
Gabo and Shelby ham with the sign.
Blue Glacier
The Salkantay Glacier is blue in the midday light.
Heading Down
Gabo leads us down the west side of the Salkantay Pass towards greener, warmer climes.
Into the Rain Forest.
Shelby stops for a moment of reflection as we descend into the rain forest towards Challway.
