The most famous outlook in Ulta valley
Ulta valley known mainly by views of Huascaran and rough road leading through Punta Olimpica to Chacas is also a nice starting point for super outlook from the pass of Punta Yanayacu. From the base camp ( 4200 m asl ), which can build anywhere in the local meadows, it will take you approximately three hours to the pass.
Neighbor Chopicalqui
Right from basecamp there are in the morning beautiful views of the neighboring mountain in massif Chopicalqui ( 5575 m asl), which change the color in a few minutes from red up to sharply white…
Nevado Ulta
Incredible pyramid of Nevado Ulta (5875 m asl) and behind it Nev. Chugllaraju ( 5575 m asl ) tower on the other side close behind the pass Punta Olimpica.
Nevado Chopicalqui
The path rises relatively slowly through the valley of the river Cancachua and with every meter opens more and more the panorama of Chopicalqui mountain ( 6354 m asl), which significantly exceeds the neighboring unnamed hill visible from BC.
Lake Yanayacu
The path then branches off from the main river into a side valley and rises along the moraine to the lake Yanayacu (4524 m asl), where you get from BC in a brisk walk at about an hour. There is a need to closely monitor the path, or rather watch where you tread to, because otherwise you can sink into the muddy bofedales.
Panorama of Huascaran and Chopicalqui
The most challenging part of the hike starts from the lake – the elevation of more than 300 vertical meters to the pass Yanayacu (4850 m asl). Terrain can be full of snow and early morning also icy. However, the views are really worth the effort made. In the distance is also finally visible the highest mountain in Peru – Huascaran, whose ridge looks from this side pretty boring compared to the wonderful top of Chopicalqui.
Punta Yanayacu
The pass itself is relatively small, but a few altitude meters above it there are rock plates beautifully smoothed by the glacier with great views. The most beautiful view is of course of Chopicalqui, but it is also not bad to other directions. It is visible that the glacier was here until recently.
Ridge Ruricocha
Directly above the pass raise the glaciated slopes of the long ridge of Ruricocha.
Lakes in the valley of Ichic Ulta
If you do not plan to go back the same way and have all the equipment with you, you can go down to the other side of the pass to the unnamed lakes already overgrown with local high mountain forest and walk to the town of Yanama to the main road leading to the pass Portachuelo and go back from here.
The outlook from the moraine
You can extend the return the way with the ascent from the lake to the moraine, from where opens a lovely view to the entire valley of the super winding road to Punta Olimpica and of the long ridge Ruricocha. Punta Olimpica is a pass where you may not expect from the distance that a road is leading here. But the descent from the moraine to trekking path is quite difficult. You can easily sprain your ankle on the slippery rocks full of lichen.
Ruricocha
Ridge Ruricocha does not have any significantly distinct peaks, but it is quite interesting.
Ruricocha
Ruricocha has altogether 4 peaks, one of which exceeds 6000 meters above sea level.
Base Camp
The base camp is very peaceful and quiet. There are days, when you do not meet a living soul here. However, unless local stray cows get to like you :-)
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Article: Olimpica trek
Olimpica trek belongs among the shortest in the mountain range Cordillera Blanca. But this does not change much about the fact… continue reading