MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

The Andes, the Earth's largest mountain range, extends along the west edge of South America, reaching its most spectacular high-mountain scenery and biotic diversity in the Cordillera Blanca of northern Perú. The Cordillera Blanca is the highest tropical mountain range in the world, encompassing many of the highest peaks of the Andes. Among them, Huascarán (6768 & 6655 m) is the highest of the tropical peaks, Alpamayo (5947 m) -the most beautiful mountain in the world-, Huandoy (6356 m), Chopicallqui (6354 m), Tocllaraju ( 6034 m), Pisco (5752 m) among others. The Huascarán National Park has been established to protect the Cordillera Blanca. This park is the largest protected area and biosphere reserve of the tropical Andes.

The park also protects numerous archaeological sites. These remains from different periods and levels of cultural development provide us with opportunities to understand how these Andean civilizations managed so well to live in harmony with their natural environment. Within the park, and surrounding it, native groups and communities still inhabit and use the land as their ancestors did. These friendly and welcoming people have inherited a rich, colorful folklore, wisdom on Andean resources management, and spiritual insights that we must help to preserve.