Tag: x-t1

Failed attempt at Laguna Churup (Peru)

Hi !

Unlike John “Anibal” Smith of the A-Team, my plans don’t always come together.

We were all pumped about doing the Laguna Churup trail, even though there was some rock climbing involved, something we weren’t really comfortable with. The weather was looking good when we left, just slightly overcast, which would mean we would not cook under the sun all the way up there. We were so confident we added an extra 8km (to go from the hostel to the park entry and back).

When we started the rock climbing part, the weather actually turned bad, cold and wet, something I wasn’t really prepared to face, and ended having to turn back before reaching the lake at some 4450m (we were maybe 10 minutes from it), when the snow became severe. The worst part was to climb done on wet slippery stones, trying to reach for snow covered ropes… even though we were able to do it without any injuries.

Two lessons learnt on that day: avoid what you are not comfortable with and bring more layers to adjust for the weather.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Pitec (Peru)

Hi !

After the busy streets of Huaraz and an excursion to Laguna Wilcacocha, it was about time to hit the road to a more remote location. Pitec was the perfect choice.

It took 20km of an epic unsealed road, passing through rural areas, to reach the plateau at some 3700m (we started at 3000m). Here’s the view from our accommodation, the last hostel before the National Park entrance (some 4km away).

A very cold night was expected, the hostel was minimal as about every other houses up there, but it was guaranteed to have the same view the next morning while I enjoy a breakfast..

The plan for the next day was to do the Laguna Churup trail (a short yet challenging trail, which involves some scary climbing using pre-installed ropes).

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Peruvian woman looking at the Cordillera Blanca (Peru)

Hi !

Today was the first acclimation hike to reach Laguna Wilcacocha at 3700 meters. It is a 600m ascend over 5km (or 7.5km if like us you miss the shortcuts). The overall idea is to test yourself at hiking above 3000 meters. And I won’t lie, it was actually different from my traditional hiking experience: very quickly I felt out of breath, and couldn’t just walk it without a break. No headache and no extreme tireness though, so I think I avoided the high altitude sickness, but a few more challenging hikes should confirm that before we start trekking (Santa Cruz Trek).

All of that wouldn’t be fun if there wasn’t a reward up there: a view of Huaraz with the white peaks of the Cordillera Blanca in background. Also a pleasant surprise, as this place was sort of the picnic area for the locals to enjoy their sunday afternoon. There was in particular this Peruvian woman, contemplating the view like the rest of us.

I guess a more postal card picture would have been the reflection of the white peaks on the lake itself, but a very welcomed chilling wind made sure the lake was all but mirror still waters.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River (USA)

  • Comments Off on The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River (USA)
  • Migrated, Photo

Hi !

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is, I must confess, quite the insane thing to witness. It doesn’t aim at competing against The Grand Canyon, but it certainly tale a story of cataclysm, massive erosion and other life threatening thing.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

The Yellowstone River (USA)

  • Comments Off on The Yellowstone River (USA)
  • Migrated, Photo

Hi !

Yellowstone is the land of terrific volcanic activities, and then you can find the most peaceful river. Of course the events which led to such landscape where cataclysmic, but then it happen a bit more than half a million year ago.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Colors of Yellowstone (USA)

  • Comments Off on Colors of Yellowstone (USA)
  • Migrated, Photo

Hi !

Yellowstone’s wonders are revealing to my eyes rich colours and beautiful landscape, which I’m not sure I’ve properly captured in this shot, but you get what you get.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Sunset on the Grand Teton (USA)

  • Comments Off on Sunset on the Grand Teton (USA)
  • Migrated, Photo

Hi !

The night falls on the Grand Teton National Park, in such a dramatic way. My trip there is now finished, even though I only hiked 60km out of the many hundreds kilometres of trails available there.

I highly recommend to everybody to pay a visit, camp a couple of night, for it is really a neat place for wildlife, hiking and chilling.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned.

Road to the Grand Teton (USA)

  • Comments Off on Road to the Grand Teton (USA)
  • Migrated, Photo

Hi !

Sometimes some great road leads to some great hikes, and with great hikes come great scenery !

Well I’m writing these lines having abused the local IPA a little bit too much… So I’m just gonna say I would love to knock one of these bastards out…

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Sunrise on the Grand Teton (USA)

  • Comments Off on Sunrise on the Grand Teton (USA)
  • Migrated, Photo

Hi !

After a first night in the Grand Teton National Park, 25 miles south of Yellowstone, I woke up in front of some spectacular scenery. I can’t wait now a for a hike in the canyons between these mountains.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Friendly squirrel in Boston (USA)

  • Comments Off on Friendly squirrel in Boston (USA)
  • Migrated, Photo

Hi !

Boston bas been for a while a city I wanted to visit. And like every little boy’s dream, it eventually get achieved. But who would have guessed that I would have had been welcomed by the most brave squirrels on earth ? (Or the better ones at begging)

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

1 2 3 4 5