Cordillera Huayhuash facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Huayhuash
View of the range with Yerupajá in the center
Highest point
Peak	Yerupajá
Elevation	6,635 m (21,768 ft)
Dimensions
Length	30 km (19 mi) N-S
Geography
Location in Peru
Country	Peru
State/Province	Áncash, Huánuco, Lima
Range coordinates	10°18′S 76°54′W / 10.3°S 76.9°W / -10.3; -76.9
Parent range	Andes

The Huayhuash is a stunning mountain range in Peru. It is part of the mighty Andes mountains. The name might come from Quechua words. These words mean "weasel" or "squirrel." This special area became a protected zone in 2002. This helps keep its amazing nature safe. The range stretches across three regions: Ancash, Lima, and Huánuco.

Discover the Huayhuash Mountains

Huayhuash range as seen from the International Space Station in 2008.

The Huayhuash mountain range is about 30 kilometers long. It runs from north to south. It has seven peaks that are over 6,000 meters high. One of these is Yerupajá, Peru's second-highest peak. It stands tall at 6,617 metres (21,709 ft).

Another famous peak is Siula. It is 6,344 metres (20,814 ft) high. This peak became well-known from the book Touching the Void. Mountaineer Joe Simpson wrote this book.

Compared to the nearby Cordillera Blanca, Huayhuash has narrower valleys. It also has higher mountain passes. Many smaller peaks surround the ice-covered ones. Several passes here are over 5,000 meters high. Even the valley floors are often higher than 3,000 meters. The green areas of the range are part of the Central Andean wet puna ecoregion.

Few people live in this area. There are only small villages, usually below 4,000 meters. The snowline is around 4,800 meters. The closest villages are Chiquián (3,400 m) and Cajatambo (3,375 m). Some mining used to happen here. A road to the north goes up to 4,750 meters. In 2002, the Peruvian government made Huayhuash a "reserved zone." This stopped new mining and other activities.

Tallest Peaks of Huayhuash

Jirishanca

Siula

Here are some of the highest peaks in the Huayhuash range:

Trekking Adventures in Huayhuash

The Huayhuash range is famous for trekking. The Huayhuash Circuit is a challenging hike. It is much harder than the famous Inca Trail in southern Peru. Fewer people trek here than in the nearby Cordillera Blanca. The circuit usually takes 10 to 14 days. The time depends on the route you choose.

Most of the trek and campsites are above 4,000 meters. This is above the tree line. So, the landscape looks rugged and mountainous. You get amazing views over huge areas. The region is known for its beautiful glacial lakes. You can also find hot springs at Viconga Campsite. You might see Condors, llamas, alpacas, and viscachas.

Trekking is best done in the dry winter months. This is from May to September. The cities of Huaraz and Caraz are good places to start. They are over 100 km away. You can organize your trip and get supplies there. Chiquián used to be the main starting point. But now, buses go deeper into the mountains. They go to the village of Llamaq (3,300 m). Private transport can go as far as Cuartelwain camp. These are now the new starting points for treks.

A more difficult option is the Alpine Circuit. This route goes closer to the peaks. It involves some rock climbing and glacier travel. It takes about 8–10 days to finish.

There are several beautiful lakes in the area. These include Solteracoha (or Solterococha), Siula, Jahuacocha, Carhuacocha, and Sarapococha.

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  Mitucocha camp and Jirishanca (6094 m)

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  Hiking the Alpine Circuit in the Waywash mountain range. In the background are (L to R) Rasac, Yerupaja, Siula Grande and Sarapo.

Safety in the Huayhuash Range

In the past, the Huayhuash range had some safety concerns. This was due to a group called the Shining Path. They used the area as a remote base until 1992. There were a few incidents involving trekkers. For example, in 2004, some hikers were attacked.

However, things have changed a lot. Local communities now charge a small fee to pass through their lands. This fee helps fund safety measures. Because of this, the area is now generally considered safe for visitors. You can still see the remains of an old Shining Path camp near Lake Viconga. It includes a shooting range and barracks.

Amazing Wildlife and Plants

The Huayhuash area protects high mountain grasslands. It also has patches of special forests. Some native trees here are the Andean alder and trees from the Polylepis family.

Many cool animals live here too. You might spot the giant conebill, a bird with a big beak. There's also the tit-like dacnis and the torrent duck. On land, you might see the Andean mountain cat and the taruca, a type of deer. High in the sky, look for the majestic Andean condor and the fast peregrine falcon. You might also see the giant coot, a large water bird.

See also

In Spanish: Cordillera Huayhuash para niños