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THE CORDILLERAS BLANCA AND HUAYHUASH
The
Cordilleras Negra and Blanca face each other across the Río
Santa, and the Cordillera Huayhuash lies about 50km to the
southeast of the Cordillera Blanca. All three are excellent for
hiking and draw enthusiasts from all over the world.
The
Cordilleras Blanca and Huayhuash are the highest of the
country’s astonishing total of 20 glaciated mountain ranges.
The largest concentration of tropical-zone glaciers in the world
is found in the Cordillera Blanca, including Peru’s highest
mountain, Huascarán, at 6,768m (22,206ft). The second highest
mountain, Yerupajá (6,634m, 21,759ft), is in the Huayhuash.
CORDILLERA
BLANCA
This
is Peru’s best-known mountain region. Only 100km from the
Pacific Ocean, and 180km long, it provides a barrier between the
desert coast and the wet Amazon basin. On the west side of the
Cordillera Blanca the Rio Santa drains into the Pacific, while
on the east side the Río Maranon drains into the Atlantic.
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