Day 14 – Bouldering near Huaraz
We decided last night that we’d either go bouldering or mountain biking today. We woke up, had the rather skimpy hostel breakfast, and left by 8:30am or so. We got spinach and cheese quiche on the way, S1.50 ($0.50), and I got a bag of puffed corn, S0.50 ($0.17).
We went to the first outdoor adventure store we could find (possibly the most common type of store in Huaraz) and I rented climbing shoes for the day for S5 ($1.67). We then went to another place to rent a crash pad for S20 ($6.67) for the day. Once set, we headed off for Los Olivos, a bouldering place just outside Huaraz. It was about 30 minutes walk from Plaza de Armas.
There were great boulder problems and the rock had good holds. It’s a pourous type of rock with big jug holds. We also saw some sport routes bolted. We spent about two hours climbing, until I gave up since the skin on my fingers was getting torn up.
We headed to the upper floor in the mercado central and had the menu of the day for S4 ($1.33). Soup and a grape beverage along with fried trout for Alex and lomo soltado for me – very filling. Then Alex thought he was getting a glass of papaya juice for S4, but it ended up being a full litre. I had to help him with it. The juice is amazing here – always pure from the fruit with no added concentrate, sugar, or liquid. We had a glass of orange juice from the street yesterday for S1.50 ($0.50), freshly squeezed then and there.
We got back to the hostel, showered, and now I’m finishing up the blog. Dinner next. We’re planning to stay in Huaraz again tomorrow and perhaps leave for 7-10 days the day after to do either the Alpamayo Circuit or the Alpamayo Circuit combined with the Santa Cruz Trek.
| Published on June 14th, 2011 | | Posted by admin |