Fiestas Patrias

Fiestas Patrias is the Independence Day celebration in Peru. In honor of this day, Peace Corps gives us free vacation days which we must use or forfeit. Hence, I grudingly left site and all the marvelous work I was doing and sulked off to a three day backing trip in the Callejón de Huaylas, near Huaraz. Libby, Travis, and I went to Laguna Shallap, at the end of Quebrada Shallap (just to the right of Quebrada Quilcayhuanca... if you were wondering...) :)

Laguna Shallap: The topographical map that Libby had showed the glacier touching the lake. As you can see, the glacier has receded considerably and most likely there is actually now a second lake which we attempted to see but I don't think you can unless you have a helicoptor or mad climbing skills...

One last look at Andean Glacier beauty before Global Warming takes it all away.. :(

Trying to see the other lake: Isn't my boy a cutie??

View from the tent, ya know, just another campsite...

Back in Huaraz: View of the main drag at night.