Gary plans to return here for another climb. Our guide explains that this is classic tambo design with several houses, wasi and storehouses, qollqa inclosed by an outside wall or kancha. A traditional lunch of coca tea, boiled potatoes, roasted corn and avocado salad served inside the ancient walls fuels us for the afternoon journey. We continue winding down a steep head wall to camp below three waterfalls at the end of a great glacier carved valley. We have now completed a circle around the Huayanay massive.
Ice covered towers crown the valley.
We set our tents beside the ruin of several Inca houses. Remains of ancient stone corrals surround the camp. After several cups of coffee and breakfast of fruit, yogurt and hot cakes, we pack our duffle for the waiting mules and set off down valley. As we descend in altitude, herder's huts and small farms chakrasbecome numerous. We pass grazing cows, barking dogs and children coming and going along the trail.