1. PERU MOUNTAIN RESEARCH
The five week Peru Expedition course will begin the week after classes end in June at Western Washington University to prepare for the departure to Lima, Peru. Students are responsible for their own flights and will meet in Lima to begin the expedition abroad.
Students will develop the skills throughout the course to conduct field research in alpine environments.
PERU MOUNTAIN RESEARCH
ESCI 498D – 10 credits in Peru
June 25 – July 27, 2018
With the help of instructors and researchers, students will develop their outdoor leadership, safety skills and expedition planning techniques, while collecting samples and data for multiple climate research studies.
John All and Liz Balgord
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2. The Peruvian Cordillera Blanca, the world’s highest tropical mountain range, is part of the central Andes, in the region of Ancash. The Huascarán National Park covers most of the Cordillera Blanca above 4,000 m. The Peru Expedition will be an opportunity to explore different landscapes within the Cordillera Blanca and for students to build outdoor leadership skills and participate in scientific field research in alpine areas.

3. HUARAZ
ULTA VALLEY
From Lima, students will bus as a group to Huaraz. Huaraz is the capital of the Ancash Province at an elevation of 3,100 meters. Students will spend time adjusting to the altitude while visiting the National Park headquarters, pre-Incan ruins, the local university, a local permaculture community center, and preparing for the field. In Huaraz, students will be provided with shared rooms but are responsible for their own meals.
From Huaraz, students will begin their field experience camping in Ulta Valley. Hanging glaciated valleys offer views of mountainous topography such as the sharp exquisite peak, Ulta. We will study grazing impacts. All food will be provided in the field and will be prepared by local cooks. Gear will be carried by pack animals.

4. QUILCAYHUANCA VALLEY ISHINCA VALLEY
After a few days of resting in Huaraz, participants will return to the field for another camping experience in Quilcayhuanca Valley. Students will continue collecting data for research and can choose to participate in a number of day trips – including a completely optional opportunity to climb Maparaju peak (5326 m - 17,474 ft) and hike over Huapi pass (~5000 m - 16,404 ft) . We will mainly be looking at water quality and working with geologists from Utah.
The final camping experience will occur in Ishinca Valley. This valley has more of a tourist and mountain climber presence than the other valleys and will allow us to compare environmental impacts. We also will be able to sample on three glaciers for students who are interested. And prepared students can climb Ishinca peak (5530m – 18,143 ft). Ishinca is the mountain below…

5. DAY TRIPS
Students will have the option of participating in a variety of self-organized day trip experiences. Day trips will occur throughout the Peru Expedition experience.
Options for day trips include:
Rock Climbing
Hiking to Chirup Lake
Local craft markets
Primitive hot springs
A trip to the Wilkawain Ruins
A visit to the Dog Eco-lodge (permaculture)
PROJECTS:
Water Quality – the effects of geology, grazing, and tourism on water quality for villages
Black Carbon and other dust on snow and ice samples – darker snow melts faster and glaciers disappear
Medicinal plants – we will interview villages about plants they use and gather samples for the WWU Herbarium in the Biology Department
Climate change and grazing impacts on vegetation – we have cattle exclosures and will take vegetation data in all valleys.

6. PACKING FOR THE EXPEDITION:
Students will spend time in both the field and in towns such as Huaraz and Lima. Bringing the proper equipment and gear for the expedition will ensure preparedness in the varying environments.
Students will be responsible for bringing their own camping equipment and proper clothing for field and in-town experiences. Science and safety gear will be provided.
FOOD IN THE FIELD:
Food will be provided when students are in the field. Food is cooked by the Peruvian cook team and consumed in a provided dining tent. Plates and utensils are provided along with camp chairs and tables.
Typical meals include:
Breakfast: Bread & jam, coffee & tea, fruit and yogurt, eggs, or pancakes, or sometimes donuts
Lunch: Cheese, ham, or fried chicken sandwiches and snacks
Dinner: A time to gather and recover – we eat well! Sometimes trout or chicken cordon bleu or spaghetti…