Haylli mamapacha.

Even though the winter temps are very cold, the glacier is disappearing because of what’s happening during the summer/rainy season, which is becoming longer and longer. The tropical glaciers in Peru have a fragile existence; they exist near the tropical zone so just a few degrees difference in temp (higher) can put them over the edge as far as not being able to regenerate. These glaciers don’t have the temperature “buffer zone” of those nearer the Arctic and Antarctic zones. Also, the sun is super hot at the high altitudes in the Andes, which speeds the vaporization of the ice water. It’s actually not melting but vanishing into the air.

Have fun at Ausangate, I don’t think we’ll make it this year but you’re welcome to stop by here in Cusco!

I didn’t check for silk underwear for El Hijo, so I don’t know if they had them. We are sticking to the stuff we bought in Cusco and, yes, we will probably smell like wet dogs when we get back from Qoyllur Rit’i.

I hear your pain. There is a store in Larco Mar called Tatoo where they sell trekking gear. I was surprised – or shocked – by the prices though. I know they carry stuff for kids because I bought some -shirts for mine.

Saludos

I’m always making do here with less than perfect solutions. The American in me can get so frustrated sometimes.

Paul, anyone can come to it. About 100,000 people come from all over Peru and northern Bolivia. Are you and Melanita thinking of coming? We climb the mountain next Saturday.

Silk long johns work better than wool for the purpose, lighter, as warm, and they wick moisture. If possible synthetic clothing like Coolmax, and a pair of windproof lined Polartec pants.

One of the things about Peruvian culture – or should I say Lima – that I find interesting is the topic of cold weather clothing. By now you are familiar with the “lluvia terrible” that everyone complains about. Through the years visiting my family, I have given them Polartec jackets and waterproof shells but apparently the concept of layering has not registered.

There is this belief that if it is raining in the ‘cold’ winter, you put another heavy wool sweater on top and that should take care of it, even though you are sweating and smelling like a wet animal. I have tried to explain to them many times that a sheep will always get wet under its coat no matter how thick it is.

So to this day, they are amazed when we visit in the Peruvian summer months and see how light our US winter gear is, and cannot comprehend how we can keep warm with it.

Saludos and good luck in your trip