Photo: Maximo and family
May 28, 1992 I take a truck from Urcos to Tinqui, riding in the truck bed with 6 Peruvians. It took 6 hours to travel the dusty mountain road that included a 15,000' pass.
In Tinqui I am greeted by Maximo, a local Tinqui guide. He convinces me to hire him for the Ausangate Trek. That night, I stay with his family in his adobe house.
Photo: Ralph at Upis hot springs
May 29, 1992 Maximo has guided European groups around the Ausangate circuit. Although he did not speak English and I spoke little Spanish, we were able to communicate. We begin the hike in the morning and after a few hours reached our first days destination at Upis.
We each took a dip in the nearby hot springs, while the other kept a close eye on our belongings. Maximo visited with the local people, but told me to be wary because they were known to steal from visitors.
Photo: Ralph at Arapa Pass
May 30, 1992 Soon after leaving our campsite, we crossed our first major pass. Arapa Pass, at 15,700', was cold and windy. We did not stay long. After a few hours of hiking we reached our campsite at ice cold Lake Ausangatecocha. On the way there we also cross Apachata Pass at 15,900'. We had fresh trout that night for dinner. Earlier Maximo met a friend of his who had caught the fish and sold it to us.
Photo: Maximo at Arapa Pass
Map: Ausangate Trek
