Pumahuanca, Mountain peak in Urubamba Range, Peru
Pumahuanca is a mountain peak in the Cordillera Urubamba rising to 5,318 meters with steep slopes and prominent snow ridges between Halancoma and Chicon. The mountain features rock and ice formations that create several climbing routes of varying difficulty.
The first documented ascent took place in 1958 via the western route, opening new possibilities for exploration in the Urubamba range. This climb marked an important step in the development of mountaineering activity in the region.
The mountain name comes from Quechua, joining words for cougar and rock, showing how indigenous peoples connected their world to animals and landscape features. This naming reflects the long relationship between Andean communities and their mountains.
Climbers typically start from Cusco, travel to Yanahuara, then hike through the valley for about three hours to reach base camp. Proper acclimatization is essential before attempting the summit due to the high altitude throughout the route.
The final stretch involves crossing steep ice and rock with gradients between 45 and 60 degrees, making it a short but demanding technical passage. This section separates casual hikers from experienced climbers and demands careful footwork on mixed terrain.
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