Administration before the Ishinca Valley

Today saw the team complete pre-expedition administration prior to departing for the Ishinca Valley for 5 days tomorrow. Final crampon fitting, prussic loop cutting as well as food purchases were all completed. The plan for the next 5-days is as follows:

Wed 30 Apr 14 – Walk to Ishinca base camp 4390m. This is in the remote Ishinca valley, over 8-hours from the nearest road. The long walk in will involve over 1000m ascent but is over gradually ascending terrain through a beautiful mountain valley.

Thu 1 May 14 – Alpine mountaineering skills day and acclimatisation at base camp.

Fri 2 May 14 – Attempt Urus 5420m and return to base camp.

Sat 3 May 14 – Recovery day, possibly attempt Ishinca 5530m, weather, conditions and group dependent.

Sun 4 May 14 – Return to the hostel at Huaraz.

With fairly constant rain in Huaraz and snow in the mountains this phase will enable us to gain an appreciation for the conditions on the higher mountains.

The next update will be on return from the Ishinca valley on Sun 4 May 14, finger crossed with some good news.

Cerro Recres Punta, 4618m

The final acclimatisation walk was set on the east side of Huaraz, the Cordillera Negra.  With stunning panoramic views across to the Cordillera Blanca we were glad of the early start and gaps between the clouds. We had glimpses of what is to come with Copa and Huascaran seen dominating the horizon. The walk started from Callan Punta and gradually ascended a dirt track before we struck off and headed for the summit at 4618m. The Blanca by this stage was mostly covered in cloud as seen below although there was still time for some macro navigation before heading back to Huaraz.

The view to the Cordillera Blanca, far left: Huascaran, far right: Copa.

The boys from 22 HQ & Sp Sqn, Sprs Hill and Wagstaff at 4618m.

Laguna Churup, 4450m

With another 0630hrs reveille the team were soon bouncing their way to the hamlet of Liupa to commence the 1200m ascent to Laguna Churup. The walk through agricultural land on incredibly steep gradients soon passed below us as we reached the hamlet of straw huts known as Pitec. The route was then straight up to the lake with a couple of steel wire rope sections over the vertical rock steps. Only LCpl Eaves braved the ice cold waters for a quick dip. The route down was twice as quick as the way up and the team were soon back in a bouncing bus on route to Huaraz after 7 hours on the hill.

LCpl Eaves braving the ice waters.

Spr Roslyn at 4450m with Mount Churup behind at 5300m.

The team at Laguna Churup, with LCpl Eaves still braving his swimming gear.

Spr Hill descending the rock step using the steel wire.

Scotland comes to Peru!

The day of 2 halves.

First Half. Today saw the team immerse itself into ancient Peruvian culture with a visit to Chavin de Huantar – the site of a remote Peruvian temple dating backing to 1200BC. After a brief visit to the museum we moved to the site of the ancient temple buildings in awe of the construction methods used so long ago. The site has various parts including numerous underground passages as seen below.

The ancient site of Chavin

The team in one of the many underground passages.

Second Half. The day could not be all culture so to make use of driving over the high Andes pass at 4516m, we completed a route around Laguna Querococha. The distant memories of the Scottish training exercise (wind, rain and bogs) were soon fresh in our minds with swirling mists and a lock or laguna all in sight. Despite only being a short distance, the trek was between 4200-4000m, meaning at this stage of the expedition it was plenty far enough!

L-R: LCpl Bayliss, Spr Sheldon and Cpl Berry in the Scottish, wrong, Peruvian Andes.

Spr Sheldon (in shorts!), Cpl Berry and Spr Dalley with the laguna behind.

Spr Roslyn striding on at 4000m.

Acclimatisation walk to Shaurama (3850m)

The first acclimatisation walk was planned so we could walk from the hostel with the aim of reaching about 3800m. The maps at a scale of 1:100,000 tested even Cpl Ahara and Cpl Berry’s navigational skills but with some scrambling and re-sections the route was completed as planned. The views proved impressive although by midday the growing clouds had turned to black thunder clouds in the mountains to our West and East.  By far the biggest challenge was the altitude and at times only a few paces could be made before we were gasping for oxygen.

The route for the day: up the right ridge, down the left - Simple!

LCpl Bayliss (blue top) traverses one of the narrow gaps.

LCpl Eaves posing again.

Our final objective: Huascaran, looking very high and very snowy...

The team just below 3850m with Huaraz below.

New Flash - Saffron Walden Reporter.

“Team of soldiers from Carver Barracks seek to summit Peru’s highest mountain” – Saffron Walden Reporter. The latest media article can be found on the Saffron Walden Reporter website.

The team at Carver Barracks, ready for the expedition.

We have arrived

22 heavy kit bags, 11 overweight day sacks and 11 very jet lagged soldiers arrive in Huaraz. After 32 hours of travelling the team have made it to the hostel located at just over 3000m. The hostel, La Casa de Zarela, has been hugely useful with sorting logistics so far and despite Miami airport's attempts to foil our 2hour connecting flight plan, we made it through without issue.
The next few days will see us getting used to the altitude with some low level walks, so pictures to follow.
For emergencies please contact me (Capt Damian Warren) on the Peruvian mobile: 0051942668119.

Left to right: LCpl Eaves, Spr Wagstaff, Spr Sheldon and Spr Dalley outside of La Casa de Zarela - our base in Huaraz.

Hot Off the Press - Sapper Matthew Dalley

Today, Tuesday 22 April 14, saw the first press release go live with Sapper Matthew Dalley from Tunbridge Wells in the Kent and Sussex Courier. Which is also linked from Kent local news and South East Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association.

The team also had a number of photos taken for the Saffron Reporter, so fame is already upon us! If you forget the blog link, just Google “Exercise Peruvian Cat” and we appear as the top link.

Next update to follow from Huaraz.

Nearly Off

The team departs for Peru on Wednesday 23 April and all being well we should reach the town of Huaraz on Thursday 24 April.  We will be staying at La Casa de Zarela when we are in Huaraz.  Peru is 5hrs behind the UK but should you need to get a message to the team by phone, the hostel number is: 0051 43421694.

The first phase of the trip will be acclimatising so the majority of the time will be spent doing non-technical walks and conducting administration for the first mountaineering phase into the Ishinca valley planned for the start of May.  The weather will be playing a major part of the planning at this stage, so fingers crossed the current thunder and lightning showers have stopped.