Pucajirca, Mountain summit in Cordillera Blanca, Peru
Pucajirca is a mountain mass in the Cordillera Blanca with three prominent peaks all exceeding 6000 meters, with the northern summit at 6046 meters as the highest point. The massif displays characteristic snowfields and steep rock formations across the Ancash region.
The first recorded ascent of the northern summit occurred in 1955 when American mountaineers reached the peak. This marked the beginning of modern climbing activity on this massif.
The name Pucajirca comes from Quechua, where 'puka' refers to red and 'hirca' means mountain in the indigenous language. This naming reflects how local communities connect their landscape to their own words and meanings.
Reaching this site requires proper preparation since the massif sits in a protected area with specific requirements in place. Visitors should check beforehand what access conditions and procedures apply to visits.
The massif presents itself as a complex climbing area with three separate summits, each offering different routes and technical challenges. This three-peak configuration makes it a distinctive challenge for experienced mountaineers.
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