Impact of Climate Change on Peru's Cordillera Blanca
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Cordillera Blanca
Greetings from Huaraz!
I’m back for my second season in the stunning Cordillera Blanca, and it's evident that significant glacial retreat has occurred since my last visit just 11 months ago.
Section 1.1: The Vulnerability of Tropical Glaciers
Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is a tropical mountain range, which makes it particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Regardless of one's political views on this issue, the reality of melting glaciers cannot be ignored.
Comparative Analysis of Churup Peak
Churup, a peak standing approximately 5,500 meters near Huaraz, features one of the most frequented day hikes in the region leading to Laguna Churup. Brad Johnson's 2003 guidebook, Classic Climbs of the Cordillera Blanca, documents the climbing route, highlighting two pitches of mixed rock and ice, with the remainder on snow, graded D+.
Here’s a look back at Churup from the early 2000s:
Fast forward to today, and the changes are stark:
Section 1.2: Huarapasca and Its Glacier
Huarapasca is one of the few peaks in the Cordillera Blanca that can be climbed in a single day from Huaraz. My ascent last year (refer to my 2023 trip report for Huarapasca) revealed that the glacier's toe has noticeably receded. Climbers now tackle it under the cover of darkness due to the risk of rock and ice falls at dawn. Last year, we rappelled down the ice shield in the afternoon without issue; this year, that approach could be perilous.
The stark difference between August 2023 and June 2024 is a testament to the rapid changes occurring in the region.
Chapter 2: The Pastoruri Glacier's Decline
From Huarapasca's summit, one can observe the Pastoruri Glacier, a once-famous tourist destination due to its accessibility. However, this glacier is vanishing quickly and is projected to disappear entirely within a decade. To substantiate my observations, I'll reference a report from the Peruvian government, the Autoridad Nacional de Agua (National Water Authority), titled “Pastoruri: 40 Years of Glacial Studies.”
The accompanying maps illustrate the Cordillera Blanca’s location in Peru and the specific site of the Pastoruri Glacier within the range.
The aerial diagram demonstrates the glacier's significant retreat over the past two decades, where it has fragmented into several pieces, with much of the ice melting to create a large lake at its base.
In the complete report, the following conclusions were drawn:
- Pastoruri exemplifies the ongoing changes in glacial ecosystems.
- Monitoring technology has improved, yielding more precise data.
- Between 1980 and 2019, the glacier's edge retreated over 600 meters, with acceleration noted post-1995.
- In the last 25 years, Pastoruri has lost 70% of its surface area and has fragmented multiple times.
- From 2001 to 2019, the glacier contributed 27 million cubic meters of water to the local watershed, benefiting various irrigation projects.
- The glacier's retreat has resulted in the formation of Laguna Pastoruri, a new freshwater source.
The first video, titled "Peru: Cordillera Blanca's melting glaciers threaten towns in valley," further illustrates the urgent situation in the region.
Section 2.1: Positive and Negative Effects of Melting Glaciers
As noted in the previous report, the glacier melt has not solely negative implications. The influx of water into the ecosystem has led to agricultural growth in the hills above the Callejon de Huaylas valley. Local markets are now filled with affordable blueberries, a testament to this newfound agricultural richness.
However, the potential dangers of glacial melt must not be overlooked. Damming of lakes formed by melting glaciers can lead to disastrous outcomes, as has been historically documented.
Excerpt from “Yuraq Janka: A Guide to the Peruvian Andes” by John Ricker (1977):
The emergence of new glacial lakes and the expansion of existing ones pose significant risks. Past incidents of moraine-dammed lakes bursting have resulted in destructive flows of rock, sand, and water, causing devastation to the valleys below.
The tragic events of December 1941, where over 5,000 people in Huaraz lost their lives due to a moraine dam failure, highlight these dangers.
Chapter 3: Climate Change's Daily Reality
For many, climate change is often viewed as a distant concept. Here, it manifests daily, with profound implications for the environment and local communities.
Looking ahead, it's been reported that Peru has lost more than 50% of its glaciers over the past 50 years. The future remains uncertain, but if current trends continue, the opportunities for ice and mountain climbing in this region will diminish significantly.
The second video, "Climate Change on Pisco, Huascaran National Park," offers additional insights into the effects of climate change on the glaciers in this region.
As I gear up for another climbing season, the reality of these changes weighs heavily on my mind. I will be in the area for the next month, focused on ice and mixed climbing while it's still viable. Your support through clapping, sharing, and tipping helps sustain my climbing endeavors.
Originally published on my blog, http://thisisyouth.org.