Anqosh (North) Face of Huascarán Sur's West Ridge
Sharon was hit by a falling stone in the small couloir through the rock band above the bergshrund. It was our mistake to begin climbing after losing so much time in the glacier approach from West.
Anqosh Face Bergshrund
We search for a way through the threatening bergshrund onto the face above.
Sharon surveys the route
Sharon studies the route above us on the Anqosh Face. Yanapaccha and Chopicalqui are behind her.
Sharon Leaving Bivouac
Sharon prepares to leave our bivi site beneath the final difficult pitches of the top headwall.
Looking Down the Final Headwall
Sharon front points up onto the final Headwall
Huascarán Norte Behind Sharon on the Headwall
As Sharon surveys the final meters of the headwall, we anticipate a less exposed bivouac on the West Ridge.
Off Width Crack Above
Looming over our heads, the West Ridge seems within reach. Yet we must surmount a difficult, unprotected off width slot.
Surmounting the Difficult Off Width Slot
Easily the most challenging pitch on the climb, the off width slot is unprotectable and scary.
Exhausted!
We are exhausted after surmounting the difficult last 100 meters to the Spanish West Ridge of Huascarán Sur.
Bivouac on the West Ridge
We anchor our ropes to the rock for a bivouac underneath the huge cornices of the the West Ridge.
Spanish West Ridge Towards the Top!
We follow the final meters of the 1961 Spanish West Ridge route to the vast summit icefields of Huascarán Sur.