Day 7: Jancapampa to Huillca via Yanacon

Hiking time: ~ 6.5 hours
Elevation gain: 1060 m/3478 ft (biggest ascent of the trek)
Elevation loss: 510 m/1673 ft
High Point: Yanacon 4610 m/15,125 ft
Campsite: Huillca ~ 4100m/13,451 ft

Today would be our biggest climb up to Yanacon Pass, as well as one of our more “quiet” days on the trail. We crossed Jancapampa after breakfast and started our first ascent through the trees near the river, which was chilly in the shade. We climbed steadily and after we crossed the river I was happy to feel the sun. We walked along the river and had a short climb to another pampa. We took a short break here while assessing the rest of the trail to the pass. At this point Joel caught up to us with the horse and Norah was eager to ride, so off they went. The rest of us crossed the pampa and began the final climb to Yanacon. I slowed down a bit on this part of the climb - my legs were really feeling it. It wasn’t very steep, but it took me awhile (about 4 hours and 20 minutes to the pass from Jancapampa). I was happy to reach the pass and didn’t even care the views weren’t nearly as good as other passes on the trek.

We had a nice break at the pass and started down to Quebrada Yanta Quenua on a series of switchbacks and eventually onto a flatter trail that took us past various livestock. It didn’t take long to reach a small farm and walk out on a pampa with alpacas (this area is referred to as Huillca). It is possible to camp at this point, however we continued across the pampa and up Quebrada Tayapampa a little ways for a better spot away from the livestock and poop. Plus, we had some better views (could see Alpamayo) and were by a small waterfall - it was a nice site. Steve took off to hike to Lagunas Safuna Baja and Alta while Norah and I hung around camp. Dinner was a tasty beef stir fry, rice, and French fries. We had fantastic stars and also a nighttime visitor through camp - a horse was neighing and licking our tent. I suppose it was better than a bear or a thieving pack of raccoons!