1. Ausangate Ausangate is the highest mountain in southeast Peru, at over 6000m This is a new and optional segment of our course this year, likely taking place a week before the main course starts. It is an exciting opportunity to get well off the beaten track into some high mountain areas, with abundant wildlife, and very traditional Quechuan communities. This optional segment will only be offered to the first 8 people who sign up, and who make a commitment to being physically fit at the time of the trip. You will be carrying much of your own gear over 8 miles a day at 4000-5000m elevation

2. Scenes from the puna grasslands surrounding the base of the mountain.

3. Approaching Ausangate. Snow often falls in the afternoon and night with thunder storms.

4. Some of many alpine lakes. Puna geese, and scenes from the high glacial valleys around Ausangate.

5. A dung storage hut; dung is used as fuel for fires. Alpaca meat hanging out to dry. Looking down on Ausangate Cocha

6. Arriving at the 5000m pass.

7. Scenes from our planned mountain campsite: pin cushion plants around the lake and the abundant flightless giant coot in the lake.

8. At home with Victor’s family, site of our proposed service projects. Planting potatoes.