Trip to Yungay

IF YOU NEED TO CALL THE SATELLITE PHONE, BE SURE TO DIAL 011 AND THEN 881651452184 (6-8PM EST)

Today´s visit to the site of the old Yungay Village that was completely covered during the 1970 debris flow that stemmed from a near-surface offshore earthquake. It was very eery to walk over this site knowing that many thousands of people lay buried beneath us. Also, it was even more chilling to see the remains of vehicles, buildings and trees that protruded from the buried mass. Despite this however, the scenery was absolutely incredible and we could clearly see the amount of ice that fell from Huascaran and the incredible energy it carried as it travelled down towards Yungay. Upon returning to Huaraz, a few of us spent some time cruising the markets in amazement at how many things are made with a banned substance in the U.S.(coca...not cocaine). We also attempted to play soccer in the street with a group of young peruvian kids, but were soon overcome by the altitude and their superior skills....even though they were only about six years old. I´m still excited about the days ahead in the field and some time to enjoy the higher reaches of the Cordillera Blancas. Adios amigos,
-Nick

Today we visited Yungay, a village that was taken out by a massive debris flow in 1970. The cause of the flow was from a shallow earthquake off the coast of Peru from the denser Nazca Plate subducting below the South American Plate. In total more than 15,000 lives were taken as house size boulders, soil, small rock, and ice from the north peak of Huascarán came through the village at average speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Seeing the site where the old chapel was gave me chills thinking about the small community gathered together for Sunday mass and then being wiped out. Today was rather sobering because as I gained a strong appreciation for the sheer power mother nature came produce when she wants to.
-Joe





Today´s visit to the site of the old Yungay Village that was completely covered during the 1970 debris flow that stemmed from a near-surface offshore earthquake. It was very eery to walk over this site knowing that many thousands of people lay buried beneath us. Also, it was even more chilling to see the remains of vehicles, buildings and trees that protruded from the buried mass. Despite this however, the scenery was absolutely incredible and we could clearly see the amount of ice that fell from Huascaran and the incredible energy it carried as it travelled down towards Yungay. Upon returning to Huaraz, a few of us spent some time cruising the markets in amazement at how many things are made with a banned substance in the U.S.(coca...not cocaine). We also attempted to play soccer in the street with a group of young peruvian kids, but were soon overcome by the altitude and their superior skills....even though they were only about six years old. I´m still excited about the days ahead in the field and some time to enjoy the higher reaches of the Cordillera Blancas. Adios amigos,
-Nick



So, today was way more sad than our other three days here. We visited the sight of the Yungay avalance catastrophe, that claimed the lives of over 20,000 people in under four minutes. Standing on the land that served as a graveyard for thousand of Peruvians really made us reflect on the intense, albeit devastating, magnificence of nature. We all left we a stronger appreciation of the geological activity in Peru and how it affects the residents´ lives.
-erin



Today, I went to the hospital, heard the words infecciòn then inyección... then I cried. FML. And, my butt hurts.
-Sarah Tonry


After Yungay us girls went shopping while the guys went for beer... We got our second ice cream of the day, watched some adorable Peruvian children throw empty shoeboxes at each other, and got Erin to bargain for us in Spanish. We´re off to eat soon (again) and tomorrow it´s out to the field!
-Sarah Conner


Walking the streets of Huaraz, I realized that I have the best sense of direction out of the group (at least of the girls...) We luckily found a side street full of locals selling Peruvian goods, and took full advantage of the strength of the American dollar. On our way back, we found an internet cafe to escape the rainstorm we were caught in, luckily the weather passes quickly here...blog ya later
-Kaitlin



LUGGAGE WATCH, DAY 2! Still no sign of luggage, sadly. So today Professor Rodbell and i browsed the market to find boots and other goodies for me to rent, then we went to another mountaineering store so could buy other esentials.
In other news, today we visited Yunguy. The breath taking views of Huascaran, one of the western hemispheres tallest peaks, were overshaddowed by the tragedy that occured in 1970.
In our free time we roamed the markets, scouting out local delights.On our way back from the market a group of kids saw our recently bought soccer ball, so we juggled and passed for a while. They seemed please to see gringos with some soccer sense.
Today is our last day in Huaraz before our first field expedition, so i hope we eat somewhere especailly good.
-Tim



Today at Yungay there was a sense of amazement towards the mountains that towered over us and made it somewhat hard to remember that we were walking on the graves of thousands of people.  The only clear evidence of the destruction that occurred was the remains of a church and a mangled bus.  Besides this, seeing the third tallest mountain in the western hemisphere was spectacular.  The afternoon was also a great experience.  A few of us explored Huaras some more, and played a little fubol with some local kids.
-Eric

Today we traveled to Yungay to observe the devastation caused by the 1970 debris flow. The entirety of the village was covered by the debris, with the exception of very few vehicles and buildings which were exposed but nearly completely destroyed. It was incredible to see massive boulders weighing several tons strewn across the scene over a distance farther than I could see, and to think that during the flow these boulders had been traveling at hundreds of kilometers per hour, destroying everything in their path . We were also lucky enough to hear a first person account of the incident from a survivor. His story made the reality of the event ever more clear, and also summarized the overall mood of the trip: captivating, yet simultaneously frightening and depressing.
-Damon

Impressions from the First Few Days

The bus ride from Lima to Huaraz was out of this world. First of all I have never seen a bus so large in my entire life, or have attendants that Ive only seen on airlines. The bus ride through the mountains was pretty shocking at times, especially when it seemed as though the bus driver was trying to qualify for the Formula One Circuit rather than keep the bus on all fours. We arrived safely in Huaraz, which is surrounded by extremely large and overwhelming mountains of the Cordillera Blanca with its jagged peaks jutting into ever higher into the atmosphere. Today we visited a large public market, my favorite part of which was the meat section where nothing was left to the imagination and I thought erin might lose her lunch(she´s a vegan). This afternoons hike definitely made us realize that we werent at sea level anymore, but provided great shots of the mountains. I look forward to getting into the field and seeing them up close.
-Nick

So far one of the most interesting, and eventful, parts of the trip was the bus ride from Lima to Huaraz.  Driving along the coast staring up at steep cliffs to one side and the ocean on the other.  Then suddenly turning east and finding myself in deep valleys, driving along switchbacks looking straight down steep cliffs.  I was somewhat afraid the bus was going to go flying off at anytime.  I happened to be sitting next to Erin the whole way and at one point she was complaining about motion sickness.  I told her to just stare off into the distance, and she did, and I did not here about it again...for a while.  Then suddenly i was called in to rescue her hair from you know what.  It wasn´t the best way to start off, but we both laughed it off (and she replayed me today by saving me from sliding down the side of a mountain).
 -Eric

So far this trip has been very interesting. The most noteworthy moment for me was on the bus ride from Lima to Huaraz. On this ride we witnessed tremendous geologic changes and a whopping ten thousand foot vertical change. Passing farmers with their spread of drying peppers and corn of so many assorted colors was an amazing site. To top all of this off were the twenty thousand foot plus snow capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanco. This place is truly amazing!!!
Joe

the bus ride up to the mountains was spectacular, and provided great views of columnar jointing in a volcanic flow
-Prof. R.



Few things are as nerve racking as losing your luggage in a foreign country. Unfortunately, this is the predicament i find myself in here in the Peruvian highlands. Luckily we have not started intensive field work, as i am without boots, a sleeping bag or pad, warm clothes, socks, contacts... the list goes on. I have done surprising well though. Everyone on the trip has been more than willing to let me use their sneakers or whatever else i need that was left at Newark. I have kept an up-beat attitude, and honestly I dont think i could be angry at all. The drive from Lima to Huaraz took us thorugh one of the worlds driest deserts and up through curvy mountain roads. Upon reaching Huaraz, the sight of the snowy capped Cordillera Blanca is enough to erase any memory of personal belongings, and i wouldnt have it any other way.
-Tim Palmer

Today we went to the Archaeological Museum of Ancash, and were given a full tour by Milton, one of the guides. His tour was quite detailed but mostly in Spanish, leaving Professor Rodbell to translate for most of us. Milton was really intent on us listening and got a little twitchy when we inevitably lost focus (we were hungry). His tour was good though and we got to see a lot of original artifacts including mummies and stone monoliths.
-Sarah Conner







So, our trip has started off great! We landed safely in Lima and traveled with little problem to Huaraz. Today we spent the afternoon hiking, eventully making it to a peak overlooking Huaraz. Although it has beena tough adjustment to the altitude, it was defnitely worth it. It has been so eye opening to be around the locals, seeing how they live and work, it has really made me appreciate the amenities available at home! I cannot wait to get out into the field tomorrow, we have a lot of things in store for the next six days! I hope you enjoy our blog and cant wai to keep you posted when we return!
-Kaitlin

Well, I have loved our trip so far (although we are only on day 2). But, as usual with me, I have already hit some rocky spots. After being motion sick for 4 hours on the bus to Huaraz, I finally threw up... all over the floor! I had been joking with Eric that I would puke on him, so I guess it was karma. However, the rest of the trip rocks (pun not intended). I know now how to identify andesite, and Huaraz was beautiful from the peak we walked to. I love the locals and I am constantly working on my espanol. I will keep everyone updated!
-Erin

Some random things worth commenting on:

Flight: was just wonderful... I really enjoy small children kicking me in the back for several hours. Luckily that has been the only negative about the trip so far.

Food: Everything has been delicious. Peruvians are apparently even really good at making pizzas. Generally I hate fruit, but it has been so good that I have actually had cravings for it.

Coca Té: is awesome

Drivers: Everyone is seemingly a professional at taking sharp turns and weaving through the streets. Maybe I´m just easily impressed because I´m a horrendous driver. Regardless, at least taking sharp turns in a double decker bus on the edges of cliffs manages to make an 8 hour drive pretty entertaining... even when movies like ¨"somethings gotta give" and "my big fat greek wedding" are playing.

Landscape, geology, etc.: Peru definitely has the most interesting natural features that I have ever seen. The mountains are obviously incredible, and what makes them even more interesting is how the environment shifts so dramatically so many times in such a short distance.
-Damon

We've had two great meals in Huaraz since arriving yesterday. Last night we ate wood-fired pizzas at BB Pizza. Today for lunch we had burritos and fajitas and some great guacamole and hot sauce at Chilli Heaven. I'm enjoying being back in Huaraz and getting to know the students. We've got a great group!
-Prof. S.



Today was our first real day in Huaraz after two long days of traveling. We all went to the market this morning and had our first experience with dead, skinned guinea pigs. We travel in a pack every where we go and hear shouts of gringo as we pass. The children are very friendly and cute though and love to wave!
Sarah Tonry


We had a good first hike today-- up to about 10,300', and the students did really well! Both professors are very pleased with how the group is performing.

We made it to Huaraz!!

Just a quick note to let all know that we are all alive and well in Huaraz Peru. Today we toured the city market, the archeological museum, and we are about to go for a short hike. We are all feeling the altitude (almost 10,000'). Photos to be uploaded today!