Great photography day of Alpamayo (5947m)
Yesterday evening I had stomach problems and the reason was the contaminated little lake! Too late I was aware that also cows and horses use the lake as a water source! But I was lucky that today I felt fine again!
Today I first had to climb up Yanakon pass at 4610m, which was again exhausting and painful, but after 2h30 I made it and there were superb views to Pucajirca Norte (6046m) with nice cloud formations! Then there was a steep and later a gentle descent to about 4000m and there was a single farm at the end of the valley! There was an extremely young pig and I took photos of a little boy playing with all those small animals! Interesting that there were also a large group of lamas on another meadow! And always horses, pigs, cows and sheep! So far I have not seen any modern machines! Here it is still like farming was done 200 years ago!
Then I turned left and followed an old grass road! And here there were fascinating views of Alpamayo (5947m) and Pucajirca Oeste (6039m). It turned out to be one of the best photography days in my life! I shot mainly with 70-200mm 2.8 extended by factor 2. So 400mm, aperture 8.0 delivered the sharpest pictures! I am sad that I left my ultra-sharp 200-400mm at home. Even the 300mm 2.8 would have been great for ultra-sharp shots! But I was very happy with the clouds today and also with my results!
I found a great camp site with view to Alpamayo and only a few meters to a river! I am likely to stay here for 2 nights, as it is a great place and I am very comfortable with my time schedule snd food! I have still 8 days left for hiking!
I am very sure that I will visit this beautiful region again! There is even another spectacular circuit, but that also takes at least 10-12 days! The one where Joe Simpson had his accident! Then I might think about climbing Alpamayo! I met several hikers with this idea and it will be interesting to hear who succeeded.
Great weather here, maybe too much sun!
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