Many people have a vision of the Cordillera Blanca as a pristine mountain ecosystem. Unfortunately, this is simply not the case.
Tourists are particularly guilty.
It has become common at Col Camp to find dozens of empty wine bottles, food wrappers in many languages, and general filth. Beyond being aesthetically unpleasant, trash poses serious health concerns, both for humans and other animals, as well as fauna and flora. It takes very little time or effort to pick up that can, bottle, or wrapper, and help maintain the natural beauty of the area. The SAE Lima clubhouse will supply the garbage bags. Wood is scarce and burnt patches of earth are ugly.