Day 6. Touching the Void
Summary: The stunning stage is that of the legendary Touching the Void. This day is both figuratively and literally the high point, taking in a summit at 5152m. And it ends at a campsite that might even feel sacred to atheists.
Elevation Gain: 800m Elevation Loss: 600m Distance: 10km
Ascent: From camp at Jurau Lake (4343m), ascend the moraine to the NW then descend the other side to enter the pleasant Sarapococha Valley. Joe Simpson and Simon Yates’ base camp is about 2km up the valley, on the left side. A distinct angular/jointed boulder 8m in height marks the spot. As you approach a terminal moraine get some water (there isn’t any more until camp), and then gain a trail rising on the left valley wall, which eventually climbs onto a shoulder overlooking Sarapococha. Small cliffs loom above. Once beyond the cliffs, switchback, hiking up steep grass. Slog upwards on grass, picking up a faint trail, to Velilina Pass (5060m). Hike north along a stunning alpine ridge-crest, a sidewalk into the sky, for 2km in total. The 360-degree views are among the best on the Alpine Circuit, including the famous Siula Grande and infamous Simpson crawl route down to the right. Skirt around rocky outcroppings on the right and left to crest Cerro Gran Vista 5152m (high point of the entire circuit).
Descent: Walk straight north toward Rasac (“The Toad”) over a 5097m summit and eventually reach a pass made up of white sand (which is 400m S of Seria Pass). Descend scree then a trail to a magnificent camp at the outflow of Caramarca Lake (4575m)
Summary: The stunning stage is that of the legendary Touching the Void. This day is both figuratively and literally the high point, taking in a summit at 5152m. And it ends at a campsite that might even feel sacred to atheists.
Elevation Gain: 800m Elevation Loss: 600m Distance: 10km
Ascent: From camp at Jurau Lake (4343m), ascend the moraine to the NW then descend the other side to enter the pleasant Sarapococha Valley. Joe Simpson and Simon Yates’ base camp is about 2km up the valley, on the left side. A distinct angular/jointed boulder 8m in height marks the spot. As you approach a terminal moraine get some water (there isn’t any more until camp), and then gain a trail rising on the left valley wall, which eventually climbs onto a shoulder overlooking Sarapococha. Small cliffs loom above. Once beyond the cliffs, switchback, hiking up steep grass. Slog upwards on grass, picking up a faint trail, to Velilina Pass (5060m). Hike north along a stunning alpine ridge-crest, a sidewalk into the sky, for 2km in total. The 360-degree views are among the best on the Alpine Circuit, including the famous Siula Grande and infamous Simpson crawl route down to the right. Skirt around rocky outcroppings on the right and left to crest Cerro Gran Vista 5152m (high point of the entire circuit).
Descent: Walk straight north toward Rasac (“The Toad”) over a 5097m summit and eventually reach a pass made up of white sand (which is 400m S of Seria Pass). Descend scree then a trail to a magnificent camp at the outflow of Caramarca Lake (4575m)
Historic site of Simpson and Yates' basecamp.
Sidewalk Into the Sky
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Descent to Caramarca Lake
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Caramarca Lake
I wanted it to be perfect before I removed the axe…there was a sharp cracking sound…the sudden jerk turned me outwards and instantly I was falling.
~Joe Simpson, 1988
