First Pass: Punta Union 4760m

Today I had my first photography session of Alpamayo! I had clear sky and tried some night photography! But very difficult to focus sharply in darkness! Otherwise some nice shots of Alpamayo. From the north side that mountain will be even more spectacular! My donkey and porter were again too fast for me! I had problems with the altitude, but finally reached the pass Punta Union! Here I paid the porter and from now I have to walk solo the next days and it will be a very tough time for me! I still have food for 12days and a second camera that I havn't used yet. Overall 45kg and tomorrow there is another high pass at 4640m! My 130l Bergans backpack is huge and in addition I carry a black bag in front of myself! Now I am the donkey!

The views and scenery is amazing here with mountains higher than 6000m. The summits are are in beautiful white! Google "Alpamayo" and you see a typical summit! Some mountains here are more impressive than the Eiger Northface! Today I camp at 4400m near a lake, where I took a bathe this afternoon! Here I am the only one. No other people and also no animals! During the day the sun is very hot even at high altitudes but the nights are very cold though! Sometimes below zero degrees! Sometimes snow, which melts during the morning!

My plan is to slow down a bit, so tomorrow I will only reach Lake Huecrucocha and on Saturday I hope to reach Jancapamba! Here I have hope to hire another donkey for the next days. At least there are a few farmers living there! I think I will concentrate on this circuit and will not go for another circuit! But this way there will be a reason to come back to Peru!

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