Day 7. Sambuya Pass.
Elevation Gain: 700m Elevation Loss: 1000m Time: 5h Distance: 12km
Summary: With all of the technical terrain behind you, this final day of the Alpine Circuit offers a mellow and scenic conclusion, ascending over a pass and an easy descent to the road. I recommend combining this day with the drive from Rondoy to Huaraz.
Descent #1: Follow trails for about 1km N of Rasacocha, then cross the creek to the E side and follow an exposed, traversing trail that curls to the E into the area between Jauacocha (4050m) and Solteracocha (4120m). Cross the valley to reach a major trail on the N side of the valley.
Ascent #1: Follow the major trail past Solteracocha. The trail then turns uphill, switchbacking into the alpine, with excellent views of Jirishanca and Yerupaja behind. Reach Sambuya Pass (4750m) and Rondoy Pass (4735m) and bid farewell to the mountains of the Huayhuash (3h from Rasacocha).
Descent #2: The trail makes a high, descending traverse of S slope of the Rondoy Valley, all the way to the homestead of Rondoy, where your ride is hopefully waiting for you.
Elevation Gain: 700m Elevation Loss: 1000m Time: 5h Distance: 12km
Summary: With all of the technical terrain behind you, this final day of the Alpine Circuit offers a mellow and scenic conclusion, ascending over a pass and an easy descent to the road. I recommend combining this day with the drive from Rondoy to Huaraz.
Descent #1: Follow trails for about 1km N of Rasacocha, then cross the creek to the E side and follow an exposed, traversing trail that curls to the E into the area between Jauacocha (4050m) and Solteracocha (4120m). Cross the valley to reach a major trail on the N side of the valley.
Ascent #1: Follow the major trail past Solteracocha. The trail then turns uphill, switchbacking into the alpine, with excellent views of Jirishanca and Yerupaja behind. Reach Sambuya Pass (4750m) and Rondoy Pass (4735m) and bid farewell to the mountains of the Huayhuash (3h from Rasacocha).
Descent #2: The trail makes a high, descending traverse of S slope of the Rondoy Valley, all the way to the homestead of Rondoy, where your ride is hopefully waiting for you.
Descending to Jauacocha.
Approaching Sambuya Pass with Yerupaja and Yerupaja Chico behind.
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Descending to Rondoy. Ninashanca behind.
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Final descent to Rondoy.
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
