(July 22 – written by Dave)
Today was epic…
CHECK – Trip record riding height – 4,900 metres (16,000 feet)
CHECK – Stunning mountain views all day
CHECK – Super hard riding with dirt, rocks and a ripper paved downhill to finish
CHECK – 10 hours in the saddle
CHECK – Pulling into town at sunset
CHECK – subzero temps in the morning (-1C)
CHECK – Llama
CHECK – dinner with cycling friends to recap the whole thing (Philipp and Kathrin)
CHECK – Exotic new plant – Puya Raimondia
CHECK – too many pictures to post
CHECK – too tired to write more – photo highlights of the day follow
Early morning – Nancy taking on the dirt
A lower peak – not much snow on this one
Llama herd grazing
Seen late in the day – burrrr
Odd moss filled creek near the first summit
Our road
Puya raimondi plants
Codillera Blanca
And another
More puya raimondi – odd plant
Ice falls
Another Cordillera Blanca peak
At the top – 16,000 feet. The last photo I was allowed to take or we wouldn’t make it to town before dark. The downhill had some great views and an amazing set of super fast switchbacks – just imagine that the next couple photos show them – haha
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You did it!
Phew!
Congratulations on riding up to 16,000 feet. Great scenery
Cordillera Blanca would be worth a return visit. The equatorial bulge helps but we never thought we’d ride out bikes to 16,000 feet – crazy!
Another WOW day. Good for you. It looks beautiful! The 10 hours on a bike doesn’t sound that great but the rest of it is amazing!
It was actually 10 hours total time. Pushing and eating don’t count as riding time. There was some pushing!
Great photos. Happy you survived the 16,000ft. Not so sure I could do that. I’m still amazed at the high altitude life and farming communities. The tree line in the Sierra Nevada runs around 9-11000 ft.
There isn’t a distinct tree line here, which is odd. But the equatorial bulge does help give you more air to breath. Still, you are correct, 16,000 feet is high!
Wow that’s a long time riding for one day! But yes beautiful sights to remember! Sleep well!
A day to remember – you are spot on. Sometimes those days where you’re on the edge are the best ones to share!
Amazing!
Now you know what you missed being altitude sick in Huaraz – an amazing place the Cordillera Blanca.