Day 3. Chaclan Col
Summary: A pleasant hike up grassy slopes past a lake culminating at a col with some of the most spectacular views on the Alpine Circuit.
Elevation Gain: 700m Elevation Loss: 400m Distance: 7km
Ascent: Walk up grass slopes E of Mitucocha to reach a grassy bench. Turn S and slog uphill toward a grassy break in a cliff band above. The grassy break has a trail up it, which leads to a ridge crest. Do not cross the ridge crest. Instead, turn right (S) and walk up the ridge crest to 4880m elevation before descending to the the left (E). (This avoids a wet, slabby cliff blocking the end of the valley). Descend to Alcaycocha Lake (4670m). From the S end of Alcaychocha, maintain your elevation on a good trail that side-hills toward the S. Curl under two rocky ribs then abandon the trail, turning SW and grinding up firm talus to a Chaclan Col (4780m). Bathe in the stunning view of the enormous SE flank of Jirishanca.
Descent: Two cliff bands, hidden until one is standing right on top of them, complicate the descent to Chaclan Lake; however each is solved via easy scree gullies. Camp is by the creek that flows out of Chaclan Lake (4487m) and provides jaw-dropping views of a world class peak, Jirishanca, the hummingbird beak of ice. Donkey-supported groups need to continue downhill and traverse a sidehill (gpx) to camp at Carhuacocha (fee of S/30).
Elevation Gain: 700m Elevation Loss: 400m Distance: 7km
Ascent: Walk up grass slopes E of Mitucocha to reach a grassy bench. Turn S and slog uphill toward a grassy break in a cliff band above. The grassy break has a trail up it, which leads to a ridge crest. Do not cross the ridge crest. Instead, turn right (S) and walk up the ridge crest to 4880m elevation before descending to the the left (E). (This avoids a wet, slabby cliff blocking the end of the valley). Descend to Alcaycocha Lake (4670m). From the S end of Alcaychocha, maintain your elevation on a good trail that side-hills toward the S. Curl under two rocky ribs then abandon the trail, turning SW and grinding up firm talus to a Chaclan Col (4780m). Bathe in the stunning view of the enormous SE flank of Jirishanca.
Descent: Two cliff bands, hidden until one is standing right on top of them, complicate the descent to Chaclan Lake; however each is solved via easy scree gullies. Camp is by the creek that flows out of Chaclan Lake (4487m) and provides jaw-dropping views of a world class peak, Jirishanca, the hummingbird beak of ice. Donkey-supported groups need to continue downhill and traverse a sidehill (gpx) to camp at Carhuacocha (fee of S/30).
above Mitucocha
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approaching Chaclan Col
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Chaclan Col
lower gully descending to Chaclan Lake
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Jirishanca's enormous SE face from Chaclan Lake camp
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Donkey-supported groups need to descend from Chaclan Lake to the east end of Carhuacocha Lake to camp with the Valley Circuit folk
At three we stood in the plumes of snow born on the summit. Wind shrieked up from the east and inflated us. For an instant we knew the consciousness of Jirishanca and saw the world as it does. There was nothing to say, nothing to do, and nowhere to go but down.
~ Dean Caldwell, 1972
