Ice walls
Deeply crevassed.
PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0
Pastoruri is a cirque glacier in the southern Cordillera Blanca, part of the Andes in Peru's northern Ancash region. It is one of the few glaciers left in the tropical parts of South America, about 58 km in a straight line from the city of Huaraz. The glacier covers about 8 square kilometres and runs about 4 km, capping a peak of around 5,250 metres above sea level. It is retreating fast, having lost 22 percent of its area and 15.5 percent of its ice mass over 30 to 35 years. It lies in Huascarán National Park, home to more than 700 other glaciers. Its blue-white ice walls, deeply crevassed and cliff-like at the edges, end in a still grey lake at their foot, and small ice caves open in places. Bare rocky slopes in greys and browns surround it, with snow-capped peaks beyond. The altitude is extreme, so spend a few days acclimatising in Huaraz first and walk slowly. The weather is cold and changeable, so bring warm layers and sun protection.
Deeply crevassed.
At the glacier's foot.
Small hollows in the edge.
Huascarán National Park, Cordillera Blanca, Ancash, Peru
Yes, spend a few days in Huaraz first.
Yes, fast in recent decades.