With the views at least partially absorbed and photos taken, I had to crack on with the descent in order to make it some way down the mountain to find a campsite. After the short dirt road descent and a quick chat with some tired-looking local mountain bikers going in the opposite direction, I was finally able to descend at speed on the beautiful asphalt, down the most perfect array of bends. For me, this was the big bonus of doing the route in this direction (clockwise) – it left the smooth, grippy tarmac for the descent.
Beautifully crafted hairpins!
Spectacular light
After a little internal debate, taking into account the local cow population, I settled on a discrete campsite not far from the road and settled down a very content man, particularly happy in the knowledge that the following day was predominantly downhill!
The next morning was a glide down through the valley, regularly straining back at those utterly spectacular peaks which had been my neighbours for the better part of the last week. I actually felt rather sad to be leaving the mighty Huascarán behind…
Waking up beneath the majestic Ulta
Chilly, beardy, happy coffee time...
Looking back up the valley at Contrahierbas
Looking back at Huascarán
With the descent done, it was ‘surprise surprise’ a uphill slog through the valley to Huaraz, accompanied by rather a bit of traffic. I headed to the famed Santiago’s House (hostel) to clean up, relax and plot my next steps/pedal strokes.
The view from the balcony at Santiago's House
A very 'happy' sunset
The world's worst ice cream shop ('Casifrio' means almost cold)!
This week is definitely going to take some serious beating.
Looks epic mate, good work! Trim the beard, the donkeys don’t like hairy men.
Haha, so that’s the trick – I ought to have got tips from you before I left! 😉
Great pix and story line!
Am I jealous? Would I survive? Would I get lost? Answer definitely “yes” to at least two questions…..
What temp extremes have you been through?
Keep going and look forward to next report
All best wishes
Thanks Chris – it’s been perfect riding weather so far. 20C or so during the day – hot sun but cool in the shade. Can get down to below zero at night but the sleeping bag has performed well so far! Bolivia could be a different matter…
Campbell. this is superb. love reading your blog and the pictures are awesome.
A shame you don’t have a picture of you holding your bike aloft at the top of the highest peak! but i guess you probably didn’t have the energy to lift 50Kgs or whatever the crazy weight of your bike is?
The climb over the tunnel looks like great tarmac for road biking?
Thanks Ed! Yep, a little too heavy to lift the bike! After my culling of superfluous gear, I think I’m down to about 43kg now!!
Yep, it would be a fantastic climb on a road bike too if you went through the tunnel (there is a Strava segment for it!). There are plenty like it too – just quite geographically separated! If you knew the routes/terrain, you could do a great lightweight bikepacking-style tour, staying in hostels every night. Might need a gravel/adventure bike though! Euro 20?!!
Another truly inspiring blog, with even more sensational pics of stunning clarity.
The scale and steepness of those switchbacks are breathtaking – far surpassing the TdF equivalents.
After all that effort, I hope you bought an ice cream for Sally too!
Thanks! I just cooled her tyres off in the snow…
What a gentleman!
Epic Campbell! You look like your having a great time! Those mountains look amazing!
I defo need to get a theta as well! All about the 360s!
Yep, thanks Lee – I think the 360s work pretty well for these truly epic vistas!
Yikes you are starting to look proper Neanderthal !! Omg to wet tent and dodgy tum, gosh what a story you have every week compared to the 9-5 Groundhog Day slog – amazing and so brave, love your work!
Stunning pics and hope you found beer on your birthday and had one or five for Ben X