Peru

Ascent to Mismi volcano

At the confluence of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

Petr Liška
Wrote 2409 articles and follows him / her 241 travelers
Ascent to Mismi volcano
Inserted: 24.02.2016
© gigaplaces.com
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Trek to the source of the Amazon II .: The second day of the march to the source of the Amazon is the most difficult of the whole trek. For most of the day you will move at altitudes over 5,200m above sea level. In addition, much of the way in uncomfortable rocky terrain with a heavy backpack on his back as a bonus. This stage will really test you. On the other hand, you will ascend to the volcano Nevado Mismi (5,625 m above sea level) – the highest point of this trek with quite interesting views and you will sleep in a magical place – just a few meters from the source of the world's largest river Amazon.

View back to the Colca Valley

In the morning, the stream next to the fence is frozen, so get more water in the evening. Additional drinking water will be available at the end of the day. The first part of today's march is a gradual ascent to a flat saddle lying practically at the confluence of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. When you turn back you will see mountains towering over the Colca valley on the horizon

View back to the Colca Valley
Author: © gigaplaces.com

In the saddle in a deserted region

After about an hour of climbing, you will reach the saddle at an altitude (4,980 m above sea level). The deserted, desolate landscape stretches for tens of kilometers on each side. However, there is not much that could catch your eye. But the worst is yet to come. If you go this route, you may regret not following the classic ascent to Nevado Mismi.

In the saddle in a deserted region
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Alpine desert

You have to get out of the saddle, not on the way straight west. You will walk at an altitude of over five thousand meters above sea level in the alpine desert. Caution – non-acclimatized individuals are in direct danger of death here. In the event of a mountain sick outbreak, you have virtually no way to get back to civilization.

Alpine desert
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Just before the divorce

After more than an hour of walking from the saddle, you will get to places where you can be better oriented. In addition, the summit of the Mismi volcano begins to peek slightly over the ridge. This is where the most challenging and dangerous part of the whole trek begins.

Just before the divorce
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Views of Nevado Mismi

The journey to the ridge, part of which already acts as a watershed between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, is quite challenging. A slope full of cracked stones is traversed. The historic glacier, which is long gone, has made a pretty big clearing here. After a half-hour traverse, you are finally on the ridge. Below you is a wide valley through which a classic ascent path leads. The horizon is dominated by the volcano Nevado Mismi, although not significantly.

Views of Nevado Mismi
Author: Jan Miklín © gigaplaces.com

Challenging march along the ridge

Before you reach the saddle, from where a relatively comfortable path to the Amazon valley descends, you will have an almost 3.5 km walk along this rocky ridge at an altitude of 5200–5300 m above sea level. In addition, almost every boulder you step on is swaying, so you have to be extremely careful not to injure yourself. In case of any injury, there is very little chance that you will get some help quickly.

Challenging march along the ridge
Author: Jan Miklín © gigaplaces.com

In the saddle (5 330m asl)

After more than two hours of suffering on the ridge, you are finally in the main saddle (5,330 m above sea level), ie. back on the classic path. You are exactly in the divorce. Streams to the east are collected by the Colca River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. To the west is the river Carhusanta, the longest source of the Amazon, which flows into the Atlantic after a large line of thousands of kilometers. Here you have to decide whether you will descend in the direction of the Amazon spring, or you will overcome and climb another 300 meters more to the top of the Mismi volcano.

In the saddle (5 330m asl)
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View of the saddle and Mismi

The saddle itself is the only place on the ridge where there are no piles of stones. The ascent to Mismi, of course, continues along an „ugly“ path.

View of the saddle and Mismi
Author: Jan Miklín © gigaplaces.com

Tireless ascent to the Mismi volcano

From the saddle to the top, it is almost two hours after the stone fields – „an ugly road to an ugly mountain“. Sometimes you will have to go around the so-called ice penitents. The final ascent is on dusty rubble, where some traces are sometimes visible, but very few people come here.

Tireless ascent to the Mismi volcano
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The top of Nevado Mismi

The Mismi volcano (5,625 m above sea level) does not have a single peak, it is actually about a 1.5 km long sharp ridge. The volcanoes Ampato and Sabancaya can be seen nicely from it.

The top of Nevado Mismi
Author: © gigaplaces.com

View of Chachani and Misti

To the south, 90 km as the crow flies, volcanoes rise directly above Arequipa – Chachani and Misti.

View of Chachani and Misti
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Surreal views

The views of the desolate volcanic landscape around you are so surreal

Surreal views
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Under the saddle

The journey from the top of the Mismi volcano to the saddle is shorter, but it will still take you about an hour. The descent from the saddle to the Amazon valley after volcanic dust is like a balm for the feet after a day of „jumping“ over rocks.

Under the saddle
Author: © gigaplaces.com

The beginning of the Amazon Valley

The last part of this rough stage is the reunion to the beginning of the Amazon Valley. Several streams that spring from the rock wall are among its springs. However, you will not visit the largest of them until tomorrow.

The beginning of the Amazon Valley
Author: © gigaplaces.com

Rock walls above the Amazon valley

High vertical walls rise directly above you. Set up your tent at the bottom of the stream. However, finding a flat patch is not entirely easy.

Rock walls above the Amazon valley
Author: © gigaplaces.com
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