Rock Climbing and canyoning in Cusco Peru.

EXPEDITIONS

Posted: by EFREN LOPEZ in

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The project has between its objectives the organization support and participation in different expeditions, born out of a desire to explore the remotest areas of all around Cusco region, in search of new and exciting adventure destinations, getting accurate information about those areas, promote their preservation and develop then for tourism. All interested people can take part of this great adventures, for us the safety is first, we are a team of professionals and specialist in exploration expeditions. We invite you to participate on different expeditions discovering new and hidden places.

Qapac Chaca Expedition (22/11/14).

We were summoned by a team of National Television to help them during Qapac chaca Expedition in Apurimac region at the department of Chincheros to the program "Reportaje al Peru"

The expedition´s objective was to reach the foundations of Inca Bridge QapacChaca one of the longest bridges in the Inka Empire still in use until 1930, first we needed to navigate 4 km downstream  by the Rio Pampas to a rockery the closest to the bridge, then climb up to the bridge foundations, once there the cameraman and reporter should film a segment of program "Reportaje al Peru", finally we should continue about 6 km more to an exit point near the road where we expect the rest of team.

Within the team we had two outstanding national reporters, Luis Pilares  organizer of Capac chaca expedition in charge of filming and photographing the whole expedition, Manolo del Castillo reporter to the program to Reportaje al peru.

Two mountain guides Marco Perez and Efren Lopez, who had to climb up, secure and take the whole expedition team to the foundations of Inca Bridge

A boat captain Richard and Safety kayaquer Ediberto Benites both of them to help us to navigate the river Rio Pamapas and its furious rapids.

once organized the team, early in the morning we decided to check the entry, exit and filming poitns, them we made a scouting from the upper parts next to the river Pampas analyzing the possible difficulties that might arise during the expedition, with all equipment ready we left the Pampas bridge towards the Qapac chaca bridge  navigating about 4 km downstream after some rapids, we got as close to the river side and climbed to the foundations of the bridge, after reporters filming the segment designated we continued,

as it was the first time we navigated this part of the River Pampas, we had to go through several dangerous rapids and decided not to pass others stronger and portage all equipment and boat which took us more time than scheduled, night came and we were still missing about 2 km to go but we decided leave the river because the danger to navigate in the dark and wait in a beach in the middle of nowhere about 2 hours after which came the rest of team to help us out with all the equipment we carried with us.

At the end we fulfill the main objective of the expedition Qapac chaca and certainly this was one of the best expeditions of the year and a pleasant experience thanks to invitation of Marco Perez and Luis Pilares.

II Survival Course and workshop (11,12,13/ 04/14)

Thanks to the support of "Climbing in Cusco" the Proyect, the Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism - (Dircetur) and the organization of Mag Ronal Miranda. Was held for the second time in the city of Cusco. The Survival Course and Workshop the art of self-sufficiency, dictated by Turism lic. Efren Lopez, survival instructor, explorer and mountaineer. This course and workshop was developed during the 10th, 12th, 13th of April 2014 and consisted of a day of theory and two days field trip. 

The first day in the morning and evening we had a theorical lecture of the various basic topics on survival was performed as: Survival in history, The psychological aspect of survival, basic survival techniques for fire, water, shelter, orientation, food, five great survival stories, Related Areas, etc. This lecture was held in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce of Dircetur  with the participation of several assistants.

The second and third day the field trip was made, in a survival camp in a forest on the outskirts of Yaurisque village located 30k south west of the city of Cusco, where we strengthen the practical aspect of the course in participants through various exercises guidance, exposure of edible plants, fire, shelter, water, signal for help. they gave the participants with an introduction to the basic skills to deal with situations of survival in natural environments with common elements.

At the end of the course workshop turned out a success thanks to the interest and good cheer and participants during the 3 days a very special thanks to all the individuals and institutions involved in conducting the course.

Apurimac Canyon Scouting and exploration (20/01/14).
The last week of January 2014, we were invited by a private company to conduct a scouting in the Apurimac river canyon, the main objetive to reach a gps coordinates in an inaccessible and isolated area next the bank of the river.
After reviewing the possible points of access , in our first try we followed the river upstream, about 5 km which was not a good option , as we were in the middle of the rainy season , much of the river bank was flooded and some access bridges had disappeared , the  place  was surrounded by huge walls of approximately 400m vertically , and it was not possible to access it by the river, the use boats or kayaks were consider but nobody sail this river during the rainy season.

So we went back and changed our strategy , with the help of some satellite photos we deduced the best access route, we followed an auxiliary basin from the top mountains to the Apurimac riverbed
the explorers team  descend from a village called chonta located at the top of the mountains about 3800 m to the bottom of the Apurimac canyon at 1700m following a ravine  and traversing, slopes , canyons, dense vegetation , thorny bushes , gullies etc.
after two hard work days we reached the coordinates indicated by gps, data were recorded , took pictures so we decided to return with the required data , the scouting exploration was successful, without doubt a challenge for our skills.

Vilcabamba Expedition (16/06/13).
At june we participated of a real challenge for our climbing skills, a research team of renowned archeologists,  were looking for Inka remains into Vilcabamba mountain range north west of Cusco, as a part of its project, they located different places that they were investigating and request us, to reach an inaccessible area, codename “quecosa” located into a snow covered mountain ridge.

During one week the task involved explore steep terrain, navigation in moraine, ice climbing, mix climbing,  glaciers and crevasse traversing, insane rappels full of loose rocks, tracking gps points in rugged areas surrounded by huge cliffs, long walks carrying technical equipment, etc.

At summary, we explored new areas into the deeps of Vilcabamba mountain range, even we had bad weather conditions, most of time it was foggy, cloudy and rain, we reached “quecosa” after attempt twice, we also climbed Apu Marcana Mountain 5350 mts after 17 years, unclimbed according local settlers. we enjoyed amazing landscapes and we were able to see choquequiraw archeological complex and Apurimac river and valley from the top of this snow capped mountain.

At the end the expedition obtained expected goals, without doubt one of the best experiences of year, Thanks for invitation of mr Marco Perez and mr Peter Frost the leader expedition for trust in our skills and made us part of this great adventure.
 

Rescue at Pukacocha Ausangate (17/05/13).
last last friday night, may 17th , I received a phone call from my friend Marco, he was organizing a rescue team to help a french walkers group, that had an emergency in the Ausangate area, near Pukacocha Lake into an isolated area of vilcanota mountain range, one of walkers fell from horse and broke its ribs, could not continue walking, to come out, receive help  and reach the road or closer town the walkers group should walk two days trough rugged terrain.

The next day at dawn, we left cusco to the area of Chilca to meet with a group of local settlers that helped  us with rescue labors thanks to the knowledge of locals and our inquire, we found a different  access to the area where the injured was located, even than weather was bad and snowed partially we found campsite. After 5 hours hard walking.

Once there Marco the rescue leader began to prepare Injured evacuation, I helped as interpreter of french group, 30 min later we left Pukacocha and walked back about 5 hours returning at sunset and under the night to the place where ambulance wait for injured ready to transportate him to cusco Hospital about three hours more.

Finally the rescue was succesful. thanks to help of Justino Quispe, Julian Huanca, Jorge Huaman, Benito Quispe, Luis y Manuel Condori and Balbino Hancco local settlers of Chilca and surroundings that helped to rescue a visitor life.

Survival Course and workshop (15/12/12).
Thanks to the invitations of The U.A.P Universidad Alas Peruanas, its Cusco Tourism school and lic. Ronal Miranda, for invitation to participate of The Survival Course and Workshop organized by this University in the DIRCETUR auditorium at December 15 – 16 – 17 2012. One of our team founders was chosen as expositor, thanks to his experience and knowledge as survival instructor. Efren was the right person for this assignment, during three days the participants received an introduction to the survival world.

The first day we had a lecture by  two different expositors, the first expositor was the Former Comander of Peruvian Army Pedro Serruto. The second expositor was lic. Efren Lopez specialist in Tourism, explorer, mountaineer and survival instructor, during this day assistants  learned about the five basic survival skills and his different applications on wilderness, as techniques to get water, fire, refuge, orientation and food, and at the end of the day we made an survival equipment  exposition with different survival devices, local edible plants.

The second and third day we participated of an outdoor travel with conference participants to show and practice the practical matters of survivors under a survival situation simulation on wilderness enviroment, at the end the activity was successful and a good challenge because weather conditions helped group to improve its survival skills.
Thanks to the Universidad Alas Peruanas, DIRCETUR. 

Tracking Ancient Inka Trails (25/06/12).

The exploration took place in the border of Cusco and Puno south of Peru, we were contacted by a Tourism Company to track a possible Inca trail in the area that descend from high in the andes to the deeps of Quincemil jungle, exploration was planned for seven  days and cover about 50 klm. two members of our team were selected for this task, Efren and Ronal. After first day travel and approximation, the second day we began with real exploration tracing route from  Quicho a small village in middle of the andes located over 3461m. from this point we located and followed an ancient Inca trail used only by some farmers around this isolated area, first part of trail is an up hill of 2 hours until reach the highes apacheta (high pass) 4360m.  from this point we descended 2 hours more through the Qolqeorco valley to Palcay last village on trail. third an fourth days we continued descending from the high andean valley to the mid elevation jungle following trail, the fifth day expedition we continue descending and after three hours the Inka trail dissapear in middle of the forest vegetation so we decided to continue for the river bed downstream until reach the mid point of route at 2300 m.  with only two days more we decided to return for report our advances.

Looking the missing Helicopter (08/06/12).

The last 5 june an helicopter with 14 people got lost  when it was returning from the jungle across the edge of the eastern slope of Vilcanota mountain range in the mountain of Mama Rosa area, I was lucky because I participated in one of the searching teams thanks to the invitation of the Cusco mountain guides, (Marco, Americo, Alfredo and Cesar).

After three days of bad weather conditions, nobody can reach the area because it was heavy snowing,we were a team of 5 people and traveled to the Ocongate area the 8th june at night, next day at dawn we started the search according to the last gps register that helicopter sent at 13° 27´36.00´´S, 71°7´23.92´´W.

We reached the coordinates at 9 am the area was covered by snow capped mountain and rocky peaks, the bad weather still remained, more teams of local people and police joined to the search, around eleven am the helicopter was located by a team of three local studens of CEAM “Hight Mountain Study Center” at 13° 30´935´´S, 71°06´419´´W. Unfortunately the helicopter crashed againts the mountain Mama Rosa and exploded, all passengers died, finally police teams were in charge of bodys recuperation.

Aventura Forestal (14/02/12).
A team of experts in peru were gathered to participate in the  design and control the construction of the new thematic adventure park called aventura forestal, located on the northern  coast of Peru in the portuary city of Chimbote. Thanks to the iniciative of Mr Rober Gomes a young visionary Peruvian entrepreneur  and the invitation of my friend Marco Perez the team head, I participated on this visionary project.

it was a new concept on entertainment park, the construction was based on aerial circuits of hanging bridges of steel cables that can challenge you phisically and mentally in different  ways and difficulty level, this park was built on 5000 m2 eucalyptus forest extension with two circuits of 500 mtrs long and 3 to 18 m heigh, full of different challenges with the complete safety systems for children, young and adult people.

It took about two months of hard work finish the park, it was an amazing experience full  of challenges that team (Marco, Efren, Daniel) enjoy solving and re-design the park during construction. at the end we were amazed with the park, that we helped to built.
In few words aventura forestal is a new and innovative attraction in northern area of Peru if you have opportunity to visit chinbote, don´t miss Aventura Forestal.
currently I received news about Aventura Forestal is still getting bigger, I hope return soon.

Zip Line Ccorca with History Chanel (03/07/11).

Thanks to the invitation of a great friend Marco Perez, some project members  were selected, (Efren Lopez and Ronald Miranda) to form a team that would help during the filming of a segment to the program "Around the world in 80 ways" of  The History Chanel.

Our main task was to provide safety to the actors and cameramen during the filming of their tour  in the largest zip line of Cusco, located on the cliffs of Tecsecocha in the district of Ccorqa at 45 km west of Cusco city.

This Zip line was considered the highest in South America, it has three different sections of cables over 150 meters height and a stairs section or via ferrata.

The first Zip line section has 200 mts wire the second 180 mts wire then a section purely vertical to unclimb, a  40 meters ladders and the last section 350 mts wire.

Definitely a challenge to our skills, traverse all zip line with all group, at the end it was an adventure full of adrenaline .

Here the link of video: Zip Line Ccorca Cusco by History Chanel

The First Peruvian Glaciological Station (20/05/11).

Thanks to Peruvian Meterorological Research Center and its new researchers, the last season 2011 we have been helping them to give a new step on the Peruvian scientific history.

We helped the group of researchers to find a classified point into a glacier located over 5300 meters at south east edge of Vilcabamba mountain range, in the border betwen Cusco and Puno, once we got there we set the first Peruvian Glaciological Station for monitoring the biggest glacier in Peru and in all the Tropical World Zone. Tracking more specifical data for peruvian glaciologist, about the advance of global warming, effects and impact for the planet.

Lucre Rock Climbing Expedition  (15/06/10/).

Trip organized by the proyect and participated a team of (Efren, Armando, Miguel and  David )local climbers, explorers and photographers  for the exploration of sandstone wall of 40m. / 132f. Height,  near  lucre, a little village located at 30 km south of Cusco, during season 2010, with perfect scenery for exploration and opening of new rock climbing routes in the surroundings of Cusco.
The face was initially explored by the team. after check rock features we did rappells and climbed the wall, we realized that entire area was sandstone so we decide explore more areas in the surroundings identifying 2  red sandstone walls, finally we identify 3 possible areas for the practice of these activities. 

Arin Canyoning Exploration (12/ 03/10).

60 km. north direction of Cusco city, about 1 hour 20 min, drive  In the Heart of Sacred Valley of Incas is located the village of Arin, after a very scenic 20 minute walk through field and forest in north direction. Simple access and exit, there is located a water channel system of medium volume, that descend from upper part of  the valley, used by local farmers to irrigate fields, this chanel ends in a 40m./131f.  Artificial waterfall, the project organized the exploration of these area, with a great interest and enthusiasm to promote adventure activities, the explorers team aim to find the safest and fastest way down, the Identification of canyon Trip, Planning and Route Finding.

Pachar Rock Climbing Night Seccion (18/07/09)

One of the first rock climbing night seccions of season 2009, took place into the sacred valley next to a little village called Pachar about 90 km From Cusco. we started at  9 pm with a good atmosphere, under the cover of the night a team of 4 local climbers managed to climb 3 of the 5 volted routes with a medium graduation of 6a, 6b and 50 meters height. We prepared equipment, falshlights ready, on belay ... up to the fourth pitch, it was a quite a long climb in midle of deep dark until reach the anchorage system. 3 hours later at thirth route, at midnight a skinny rain fell and wet the wall, despite adverse meteorological conditions, the night seccion was succesfull and allowed us to gain more experience and deal with such climbing conditions.

Scouting Huanacauri Mountain (14/05/09)

About 30 km, south west of cusco is located Huanacaure mountain, It´s consider Sacred because since Incas period this was an important mountain, were the Inkas used to performed Sacred rituals, even now you can find many archeological complexs  in the surrounding of this mountain that is still respected for locals

Thanks to the invitation of “Bio Qosqo”, we were contact by owners of  large extentions of  land around this mountain at Surihualla Llamas Suri farm, as a part of hits project that involve tourism activities development,  they allowed us to realized scouting activities in all the mountain area in order to identify and find areas for practice of rock climbing and rappell, the interesting thing was that for reach this landscaping places you had to do it carrying all provisions and equipment on llamas.

During two days we went over the entire mountain and the top of peak at 4080 meters, we found interesting routes for rock climbing and big cliffs excellent for rappells.

sponsored by Anqa Cusco Tour Operador. / Bioqosqo.

Ausangate Route Finding Expedition (20/02/08)

Early season 2009 we were contacted by Cusco Regional turism Office to trace a route in the Ausangate area, from Mahuayani Village to the outlet of Sivinacocha lake, a five days trek approximately 65 km to cover following the south-east direction, over 4900 meters  in the most isolated and extreme conditions into the hi land of Vilcanota mountain range.

Three explorers of our team Efren, Ronal and Cesar decided to take the challenge, during the travel we passed beautiful turquoise lakes, as Singrenacocha, Huarorumicocha through narrow moraine trails, next to huge ravines surrounded by big glaciers and astounding snowpeaks. a real challenge for our navigation skills during day and night, despite than in the third day we had bad weather conditions as fog and little of rain, the fourth day snowed and rained torrentially, no visibility, it was almost imposible keep navigating, at the end the fifth day we reached outlet of Sibinacocha lake successfully acording to the plans, that was an amazing experience for us. 

1 comments:

1. 

   Salkantay Trek says:

   June 30, 2017 at 1:13 PM

   Salkantay trek is the alternative to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was recently named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.