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STEPHANIE SCHREIBER
Santa Cruz Make-a-Wish Charitable Trek - May 2009

I can't tell you how thankful I am to have raised my bid card at the Make a Wish Gala when the Skyline trip to Peru was called out. It was one of the best spur-of-the-moment decisions I have ever made. My adventure to Peru was one of the most amazing trips of my life. To be honest, when I raised my bid card, I thought I was bidding on a trip to Machu Picchu. I had been wanting to see the Inca ruins for some time so I heard "Peru" and made some quick assumptions. So when I discovered what I had actually purchased was a trek through the Andes in a totally different area of the country I was a little dismayed. I spoke it over with my girlfriends (there were 4 of us bidding together on the trip) and we quickly decided that our trip with Skyline would be an adventure anyway and we would simply extend our trip so that we could see Machu Picchu after our trek. 

When we arrived in Peru and met with Ted from Skyline, I became more and more excited about our trek. The area around Huaraz had mountains like I have never seen in my life! I grew up in the Pacific Northwest—an area I had always considered to be surrounded by mountains. But the mountains around Huaraz made the mountains back home look like little hills! I couldn't believe it. Ted was very personable and friendly and made us feel like we've been friends for a long time. He introduced us to Gladys, our soon to be guide through the Santa Cruz. Gladys was a local and, from my understanding, one of the only female trekking guides in the area. She spoke English incredibly well, was cute as a button, and surprisingly tough as nails. 

Our adventure started with a few acclimatization hikes—one just outside of Huaraz and the other to a high mountain lake, Churup. My group was in for a surprise right off the bat for 2 reasons. The first was that despite hiking all the time back home, we were winded and tired very very quickly. We felt like little old women hobbling along...every step slow and methodical, yet clumsy—all the while Gladys looked as though she was taking a leisurely stroll down the sidewalk. It didn't take long for us to see that Gladys was a badass. The second surprise was that despite our breathlessness, the landscape around us was so beautiful we were awestruck. Such a strange combination of feelings. Thankfully, we discovered that the first 20 minutes to hour of any hike in Peru was the hardest. After that we'd have a breakthrough and our energy would pick up and we'd be practically racing through the trails and landscape. So much fun! 

One of the most incredible things we noticed about our experience with the acclimatization hikes, and then the trek, was the incredible beauty of the changing scenery. Every day was different which kept it really interesting. When I say different I mean REALLY different. We went through areas that were steep hot and dry with waterfalls and rivers to the side, we climbed granite rocks, we walked past small hidden idyllic pastures with just a few cows living the good life, we saw farmers in traditional clothes leading donkeys with plows. We crossed areas with hand made stone fences, we passed through trails that were grassy with lush foliage, then across a large open pasture, past several lakes, then climbed the most amazing natural "staircase" up to the summit of the Santa Cruz! At the Summit we could see a beautiful crystal blue glacier lake. We saw all of this while towering over us were snow capped glaciers on all sides. Our last day of the trek we hiked through a remote village where we saw children herding sheep, men making bricks out of mud & straw and a beautiful church established by an Italian missionary priest. Every single day was a treat and I will remember it for the rest of my life. 

I should mention a few other things that made the trip so great. Gladys, like I said before, was incredibly strong. She was an excellent guide—always chipper and very aware of how all of us were doing. She took care to help/encourage any of us that were having any trouble and she was extremely well informed about the area, always telling us what we were seeing and the history behind it. Our porter, Don Oscar was also amazing. He, with the help of donkeys, carried all of our heavy gear and had camp set up and ready for us each day before we got there. It was so nice to see "home" waiting for us each day as we came to our new campsite. All we had to do was relax when we got there. Last, but certainly not least, was Don Juan! Don Juan was our chef for the entire trek. The food he prepared did not taste like camp food. It was fresh and tasty and well prepared. He fed us so well that we often could not eat it all! We liked him so much we hired him to come with us the day after the trek to cook for us!

Again, I am very thankful to have had this adventure with Skyline. I knew I wanted to see Peru, and I thought it was because of Machu Picchu, but I discovered that there is so much more to Peru than ruins! Thank you Ted & Jen, thank you Gladys, Don Oscar & Don Juan and thank you to Make a Wish!

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NICOLE NORSTRUD
Mt. Course, Yanapaqcha, Chopicalqui, Alpamayo, Quitaraju - June-August 2009

This season I had the privilege of climbing with Skyline Adventures on four different mountains (Yanapaqcha, Chopicalqui, Alpamayo, and Quitaraju) as well as attending the mountaineering course.  The level of support, guidance, and personal care on each mountain was outstanding.  The mountain guides for Skyline were professional, enthusiastic, and just plain fun to be around.  Over the course of the season, I spent time with the Skyline guides (as well as Jen and Ted) on and off the mountains and consider each one a friend.  Skyline Adventures is more than just a company that takes you up and down the mountain.  These guys care about you as a person and want you to have the best experience possible in the Cordillera Blanca. Without a doubt, choosing to climb with Skyline was the best choice I made here in Huaraz.  It's tough having to leave the Cordillera Blanca now that the season is ending, but I will definitely be back to conquer more mountains!  I can't thank you guys enough for providing me with the necessary knowledge and confidence to do so.  Thank you so much for everything!

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COLIN MURPHY
Mt. Course, Yanapaqcha, Chopicalqui, - August 2008

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and the entire Skyline team for what was an unbelievable experience over the last two weeks. The care and planning that went into both the mountain course on Yanapaccha and the summit attempt on Chopicalqui were only equaled by the dedication of your guides. I would continue to heap praise upon Skyline, but the fact is that it’s not what you did that meant so much to me but rather how you did it. Whether you are aware of it or not, you have managed to build an organization where people feel more like family and friends than clients. Ultimately, it’s that kind of authenticity that defines Skyline at its core.

I am certainly going to agonize over whether to return to Peru next year. Over the last few summers I have used climbing as a way to travel the world and carve out a little time for myself in those pockets of wilderness that few people on this earth get to see. Returning to one place again and again has never been part of the plan. That may have to change given what I found this August in Peru. I can’t promise I will be back next summer, but I know I will not be able to stay away from the Cordillera Blanca for very long. In the meantime, I hope to convince more than a few friends to take the long winding road up to Huaraz. The journey is well worth it.

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MIKE ROYER, DAN CLARK
Yanapaqcha, Chopicalqui, Tocllaraju, Shaqsha - May / June 2008

We can hardly say enough about how great our experience was with Skyline (all of them: Alex, Jenn, Umberto, Willy, Christian...). We had some of the best experiences of our life thanks to their hard work and great stories. It was great to work with people who, before we even arrived in Huaraz, could be flexible with our wants while giving sound advice to help develop solid goals within a tight budget. Once there, the ability to adapt to our abilities and desires, work with our pain-in-the-ass eating habits, and willingness to change up the schedule to add an extra rest day is not something you can get from many outfits. In the mountains the guides and cooks were top notch. They were excellent leaders while teaching us some of their technical expertise. And when we say they would always go the extra mile to make sure everything goes smooth, the trip is memorable, and success is as guaranteed as it can be in the mountains, we truly mean it. If that wasn't enough, they came as close as possible to making hanging out in camp as much fun as the actual climbing. If you're considering at trip the Cordillera Blanca, make the decision and go; you won't regret it, especially if you go with Skyline. It was definitely a good trip when you're already talking about going back on the plane ride home.

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GREG FRUX
Huarapasca, Pisco, Chopicalqui - June / July 2008

I was extremely impressed with the overall quality of the climbing component and all supporting aspects of Skyline Adventures program.  There wasn’t a false note, from the prompt connection with my plane in Lima, to the informative first meeting with Ted, fun and interesting acclimatization hikes, comfortable hotels and lodges, excellent support on trail, great food and careful guiding.  The firm has located excellent people for every aspect of their program.  They love the Cordillera Blanca and were able to take me deep in that icy wilderness in safety and relative comfort.  I give them my highest recommendations.

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MATT POWELL
Huarapasca, Pisco, Chopicalqui - June / July 2008

“The level of competence and professionalism to which all guide services should aspire."

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NICHOLAS KEOGH
Mountaineering Course, Yanapaqcha, Chopicalqui, Tocllaraju - July / August 2008

The trip was the most finely organized few weeks I’ve ever been involved with. It was flawless on every level, and the structure of the course was great.  How you manage to coordinate everything down to the last detail I don’t know.  I can't thank Koky and Christian enough, they are brilliant people, brilliant mountaineers, and brilliant teachers. And on top of the whole experience it was by far the best food I have ever eaten up a mountain.

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ALICE PALMER
Mountaineering Course, Yanapaqcha, Pisco - July 2008

Hi. I just wanted to write to say a proper thank you for such a fantastic trip. When we stopped by at your office after the course i was completely shattered and only really had food and sleep on my mind! It really was the best thing i've ever done in my life! Would recommend the same trip and your company to anybody.

Christian was an absolutely brilliant guide and the whole group got on really well - we had a lot of fun (as well as learning lots too of course!). It was the best feeling ever getting to the top of both the mountains. I'm definitely going to try and carry on mountaineering in the future, especially as the alps are so close to me. You should set up a business there too! 

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MERYL STORB
University of Montana Mountaineering Course, Chopicalqui (summit!) - August 2008
Mt. Course, Yanapaqcha, Chopicalqui, Huarapasca, Ishinca, Tocllaraju - July 2007

Being in Peru and my adventures with Skyline were some of the most memorable experiences of my life. Not only is the Cordillera Blanca incredible, but the company; guides, cooks, drivers, and porters all enhanced the experience by being some of the most friendly, amazing people that I have ever encountered. The organization of my trip was incredible; everything was planned from drivers to hostels, day hikes and gear. It was amazing how everything was set up with options to spare if I decided I wanted to change something.

The mountaineering course was a highlight for me. I love learning new skills, and new aspects of rope systems etc. However the course brought my learning experience to a new level, when we were set up in rope teams to navigate up the glacier ourselves. We were given the responsibility of placing gear and choosing routes. It is one thing to teach mountaineering, knots, rope teams, and so on. It is something entirely different when you learn those skills and are also provided the opportunity to learn confidence in your abilities. Something that most other courses do not offer, that for me was an invaluable skill. It is a crucial part of becoming a confident climber, and I can't thank our instructors enough for providing me with that. After the mountaineering course, I set out for Chopicalqui, an intimidating mountain that I was super excited for. While I didn’t quite reach the top, the morning we went for the summit, it still one of the highlights of my life. I reached 6,000m a personal record for me. Previous to my trip to Peru I had never been over 14,000ft, so to approach 20,000 felt incredible. We had the most beautiful clear sky, no wind and bitter cold. We were the only ones going for the summit that day, with no one on the mountain other than Koky and I, I have never felt so small and yet so powerful. It was a day I will never forget.

The rest of my trip was equally wonderful. Having the opportunity to climb with Ted was great. He is constantly thinking safety and comfort of his clients while constantly making them laugh; I haven’t ever met anyone who can quote so many ridiculous movies. Our cooks Umberto, Don Juan and Pablo were wonderful; the food I ate over my four weeks in Peru was better than I have ever eaten in the States! Fresh trout, tasty soups, and such good pancakes! My trip was amazing and I wouldn’t have changed any part of it. I will be back hopefully next summer…the summit of Chopi is calling my name.

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MIKE PHETHEAN
Tocllaraju, Huascaran Norte & Sur - August 2008
Mtn. Course, Yanapaqcha, Alpamayo, Quitaraju, Artisonraju - May / June 2006

The mountains I climbed with Skyline were the hardest I have completed so far. It was therefore very welcome that the guides (Ted and Christian) were both highly competent and professional.

The full services and logistics provided by Skyline were also faultless. The food on the trips was excellent and the cooks were both exceptionally friendly and helpful.

Needless to say i will hopefully return in 2008!

Finally, I would like to say that the Black Label Whisky on the taxi ride home after the last peak (Artisonraju) was one of those perfect drinks!

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GIORGIO AKIKI
Mtn. Course, Yanapaqcha, Tocllaraju, Paqcharaju - June / July / August 2007

I had the privilege to take a 6-day mountaineering course with Skyline this season, and all I can say that it was an AMAZING experience. The course itself was complete and made me feel very comfortable climbing on glaciated terrain, not to mention an amazing first summit experience at the top of Yanapaqcha! Needless to say I was back for more during the season, and shared another first (crossing the 6000m mark) with Ted at the top of Tocclaraju.

Ted is an amazing climber and guide and I would highly recommend him and his crew (Hola Don Juan!!) to anybody I know.
 
Also during this season, whether climbing in the Cordillera Blanca, bouldering at their home wall or going to their wedding :), Ted and his wife Jen became really good friends. All I can say is that I wish I had more time off to get more and bigger climbs in with these guys!....2008 anybody?

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Chris Zanotti, Christina Dong
Cojup / Ishinca / Tocllaraju - 2007

"Sorry we have taken so long to write a comment.... we have been working hard to make enough money to get back and climb more mountains with you".

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TIFFANY BOWIE
Mountaineering Course, Yanapaqcha, Chopicalqui - August 2008
Alpamayo/Quitaraju, 2006 - Huarapasca, Ishinca, Tocllaraju, 2007

My climbing experience with Skyline Adventure School was first class from start to finish. There was always staff there to answer questions and get things in order even before my arrival in Peru. I felt completely at ease leaving the States knowing everything from A-Z was well taken care of, even the smallest details like the name of the driver picking me up at the airport!

Once I was in Huaraz, I felt like family. Ted took the time to go over all of the details of my trip, from the awesome acclimatization jaunts, to the culture of the area, right down to where I'd find the best cup of coffee in town! But above all, Skyline sets the bar high when it comes to their climbing expeditions. Ted is such a great guide, and I was more than lucky to have my climbing experience with him one-on-one. He manages to keep the seriousness of climbing, all the technical aspects and safety as much apart of the experience (as it should be) while being a comic and just a great guy to hang out with. And let’s not forget the best food I’ve ever experienced in the mountains! Umberto, my (ok, our) private chef was great! I have an all new appreciation for carrots thanks to Umberto, and man, can he make a mean pot of popcorn! Muy, muy bueno!

Alpamayo speaks for itself as one of the most beautiful challenging peaks I have ever seen. Reaching the summit was an accomplishment that brought me to tears; it was a pinnacle in my climbing career. Once I got home to the States I felt as though I had left my second home and couldn’t wait to begin planning my return in 2007. I will be focusing my next climb with Skyline in 2007 on Tocclaraju, and no doubt will return the following season for more adventure with these guys!

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Keith Mrochek
Shaqsha/Urus/Tocllaraju/Ranrapalca - August 2008
Huarapasca/Alpamayo/Quitaraju/Artisonraju - 2007
Pisco/Chopicalqui - 2005

... SPEECHLESS ...

(in a good way)

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Mike Horgan
Quilquihuanca/Cojup/Maparju - September 2008
Alpamayo/Yanapaqcha, 2006
Pisco/Chopicalqui, 2003

“I’ve gone on two fantastic adventures with the great folks at Skyline Adventures in the past three years.  Everything, from the organization to execution of the trips, is top-notch!  Even the food that Juan prepared while we were out in the mountains is better than I cook at home. 

Client’s safety is the number one concern at Skyline.  The trips I’ve taken in the Cordillera Blanca with Skyline were more fun and better organized than my trips in the Alps, Alaska , and Kilimanjaro!  I can’t wait to come back to Huaraz to climb Alpamayo and trek the Huayhuash!”

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Ben Barlow
Huarapasca/Yanapaqcha/Chopicalqui/Artisonraju, 2005

I’m a return client and can’t recommend Skyline Adventures highly enough.  
My first visit was in early May 2005 and despite limited options that early
in the climbing season, they arranged for me a great day of instruction
and an equally rewarding one day technical ascent.

My experience was positive enough that Skyline was my first choice when I
decided to return with my brother to Peru the following July.  Once again,
the team was very accommodating and went beyond the call in arranging an
itinerary of instruction and three climbs that completely met my hopes for a month of fun, challenge and learning. Skyline arranged the logistical aspects of our trip with great attention to detail, making our climbs very smooth.  Our equipment was high quality and meals were well planned –varied enough to keep things interesting and consistently delicious and filling.

Willy and Ted as climbing instructors are impressive in their experience,
ability to teach skills, and they showed real sensitivity to our level of
experience.  Rather than simply marching us up and down the mountains, Willy
and Ted made the climbs very educational, taking time where appropriate
(without “over-teaching”) to discuss technique and solicit our thoughts on
hazards and route selection.  I felt the climb was very much a collaborative
team effort, while at all times I was reassured that our team leaders were
impressively experienced and very responsible.

I hope to return sometime soon to the Cordillera Blanca’s awesomely
beautiful and accessible mountains.  If I do I’ll turn to Skyline to help me
experience it all to the fullest."

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CHRIS QUIRARTE
Ishinca/Tocllaraju, 2002 - Pisco/Chopicalqui, 2004 - Yanapaqcha/Shaqsha, 2006

I have been part of several memorable expeditions with Skyline Adventures. Climbing with Alex and his assistants has always been great experience, in terms of planning, execution, organization, transportation, safety, and especially the food. 

Everyday of the trip is purposeful, from acclimatization and preparation to the climbing of the peaks. Transportation is the best you can get in Peru - our own personal full time driver and van for us and our staff only!  This makes all the difference in the world.  

The food menu was not only delicious and accompanied with plentiful snacks, it was high energy and easily digestible.  You can tell time was taken to select ideal foods for maximum energy and great taste.

When I envision a trip into high mountains I imagine success and expect safety, comfort and good food.  I have gone on trips with Skyline three different times over four years and they excel in all of the above areas.

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Omar Samra
Mountaineering Course, 2003 - Yanapaqcha/Chopicalqui, 2005 - Huarapasca/Alpamayo/Quitaraju/Artisonraju, 2009

I have been to Huaraz twice and both of them I climbed with Skyline Adventures. Alex, Jenn, and their camp staff make the perfect combination for any Andean ascent you have in mind. On my last trip in July/August 2005, Alex and I climbed Yanapaccha and Chopicalqui. What I liked most about the expedition was the flexibility I was given. Having climbed the first mountain in fewer days than originally planned, we were able to incorporate an extra day of extra on the mountain and build the option of taking more time to summit Chopi if needed. There was never any rush or pressure to get things done quickly or in a predetermined way, I felt my best interest and enjoyment was always kept in mind. Not to mention that Alex is a phenomenal climber, amazing guide, a kick ass cook and a great friend! I will definitely be back again and again, If only for the post expedition popcorn! Artisonraju beckons....

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This Could Be YOU!!
Cordillera Blanca, Peru - 2008

"You can't stay on the summit forever. So why try in the first place? Just this... What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no more but has seen. There is an art to conducting oneself in the lower regions from one's memory of higher up."

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