MERYL STORB
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 confidant climber, and I cant 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
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 mountaneering 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
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
Pisco/Chopicalqui, 2005 - Huarapasca/Alpamayo/Quitaraju/Artisonraju -2007

... SPEACHLESS ...

(in a good way)

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Mike Horgan
Pisco/Chopicalqui, 2003 - Alpamayo/Yanapaqcha, 2006

“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."

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

I have been to Huaraz twice and both times 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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