9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping
D89, T4.34/7.5, Av19.40, Max59, Tot15244, 5180
Cold at Junín pleasant temps as altitude decreased, mild at camp
Well all night these people were playing this one trumpet instrumental, every 5 minutes it would come on all night till 0500 in the morning.
Waking early the best shower ever had under a suicide head was enjoyed, it was super hot and consistent, though as always the flow is a bit lean.
Anyway, it was welcome. Boiling some water also allowed me to shave.
The first half hour of the day was spent purging phlegm from my throat.
It feels good but is not a good sign.
I headed into town to have breakfast, and find a pharmacy. Amoxil for two days was bought.
I tried to get a cab to the lake, but evidently the walk in is an hour or more.
This idea was flagged.
I got on the road about 1000. Still on the altiplano, it was wet and cold. I actually didn’t have much energy. After awhile hills were seen ahead of me.
The end of the altiplano had been reached, from here it was all downhill.
The climate changed rapidly, to very pleasant conditions.
Stopping at one stage to fish a small roadside stream though no luck was enjoyed.
Altitude was being lost all the time now, it was great riding.
The scenery changed rapidly to an almost moon like environment on the surrounding ranges.
With a cream coloured rock present.
Lunch of trout soup was enjoyed at Peaje Casaracra
From here it was just a case of following the Montaro river down to La Aroyo.
Arriving here at 1500. manadarins were bought and eaten while chatting with the vendor.
This place is surreal, it is a town surrounded by these cream coloured mountains The colour comes from the exposed rock in all shapes and size. Across the river is a huge processing facility and an even huger smoke stack.
I'm sure the Sea of Tranquility could be near here.
The area produces zinc, lead and copper. The river Mantera plays a big role in the process no doubt. It runs with a colour far removed from the crystal clear streams were I was trout fishing.
Though efforts are being made to clean it up, so I was told.
Looking for a motel but finding nothing suitable. A decision was made at 1530 to go on, as it was all downhill.
Still following the Mantaro , the kms were quickly accumulated.
At 1430 looking for the nights camp began, one by a clean creek, though good was vegetated in these plants with sticky seeds, it was also partly visible from the heavily used road.
It was decided that a better site could be found.
At 1720 an open area was spotted above the road. It was perfect.
Things were finally set up just before dark.
The tarp was not used. It was amazingly mild here.
Tea was mushroom soup, full of fresh broccoli and bread rolls filled with yams.
The Amoxil combined with the milder temps had me feeling a lot better.
Around this area are many "highest of" points, south west of here near Ayacucho
is the highest driveable pass in the world at 5059m. West of La Aroyo is the highest train passenger station, Est. Ticlio at 4758m.
D89, T4.34/7.5, Av19.40, Max59, Tot15244, 5180
Cold at Junín pleasant temps as altitude decreased, mild at camp
Well all night these people were playing this one trumpet instrumental, every 5 minutes it would come on all night till 0500 in the morning.
Waking early the best shower ever had under a suicide head was enjoyed, it was super hot and consistent, though as always the flow is a bit lean.
Anyway, it was welcome. Boiling some water also allowed me to shave.
The first half hour of the day was spent purging phlegm from my throat.
It feels good but is not a good sign.
I headed into town to have breakfast, and find a pharmacy. Amoxil for two days was bought.
I tried to get a cab to the lake, but evidently the walk in is an hour or more.
This idea was flagged.
I got on the road about 1000. Still on the altiplano, it was wet and cold. I actually didn’t have much energy. After awhile hills were seen ahead of me.
The end of the altiplano had been reached, from here it was all downhill.
The climate changed rapidly, to very pleasant conditions.
Stopping at one stage to fish a small roadside stream though no luck was enjoyed.
Altitude was being lost all the time now, it was great riding.
The scenery changed rapidly to an almost moon like environment on the surrounding ranges.
With a cream coloured rock present.
Lunch of trout soup was enjoyed at Peaje Casaracra
From here it was just a case of following the Montaro river down to La Aroyo.
Arriving here at 1500. manadarins were bought and eaten while chatting with the vendor.
This place is surreal, it is a town surrounded by these cream coloured mountains The colour comes from the exposed rock in all shapes and size. Across the river is a huge processing facility and an even huger smoke stack.
I'm sure the Sea of Tranquility could be near here.
The area produces zinc, lead and copper. The river Mantera plays a big role in the process no doubt. It runs with a colour far removed from the crystal clear streams were I was trout fishing.
Though efforts are being made to clean it up, so I was told.
Looking for a motel but finding nothing suitable. A decision was made at 1530 to go on, as it was all downhill.
Still following the Mantaro , the kms were quickly accumulated.
At 1430 looking for the nights camp began, one by a clean creek, though good was vegetated in these plants with sticky seeds, it was also partly visible from the heavily used road.
It was decided that a better site could be found.
At 1720 an open area was spotted above the road. It was perfect.
Things were finally set up just before dark.
The tarp was not used. It was amazingly mild here.
Tea was mushroom soup, full of fresh broccoli and bread rolls filled with yams.
The Amoxil combined with the milder temps had me feeling a lot better.
Around this area are many "highest of" points, south west of here near Ayacucho
is the highest driveable pass in the world at 5059m. West of La Aroyo is the highest train passenger station, Est. Ticlio at 4758m.
Trout fishing Peruano style, the trout netted were no more than 125mm long
La Oroya,
Three tiers, above, the ore, in the middle the processing plant and below, the river Mantaro.
Early morning, the road and river below the site.
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Leaving the altiplano
This train didn't have many carriages but was struggling up this incline. At one point blowing flames from the exhaust.
near mines, the rivers many shades, here the Mantaro, a brown colour.
Clean water was obtained here for the nights camping.
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