The first time I landed at Arequipa airport in August 2015, I was immediately captivated by the surrounding panorama. The beautiful ‘White City’ of southern Peru is surrounded on almost all sides by volcanoes; their jagged peaks forming a crown around the city. By far the most impressive, capped in year round snow, is the stratovolcano El Misti; known to locals as Señor Misti. And since August 2015, thirty years after he last erupted, the señor has been calling to me.
If volcanoes were rated for their natural beauty, Misti would be near the top of the list. The perfectly symmetrical cone provides a stunning visual backdrop from all parts of the city. Throughout my stay with my wife Yesi’s family in Arequipa, ever time I glanced up and saw El Misti reaching for the sky, a feeling of adventure rose within me.
El Misti Volcano towers over the city of Arequipa, Peru
El Misti is not a climb for the faint-hearted. At it’s peak above the main crater, Misti stands at 19,101 feet. To put that in perspective, Misti rises to about two thirds the height of Mount Everest. On one of the climbing routes, the overnight camp is named Monte Blanco, as it sits at the same elevation as the highest peak in the Alps. And still, despite the magnitude of Misti, I am tempted.
The overnight camp on El Misti, is at the same elevation as Mont Blanc in the Alps. Image source: www.peruadventuretours.com
I have never been much of a climber. Until now, my adventures have been on a bicycle and a train across America, and on a boat across the Atlantic. I love to hike, but have never really climbed. In fact, the 2,464 foot tall Mount Errigal in my home county Donegal is probably the highest mountain I have climbed. I have been to high peaks, most notably Monarch Pass in the Colorado Rockies, but I cycled up a road. Climbing is a different story.
El Misti volcano near Arequipa in southern Peru, rises to 19,100 feet above sea level. Image: volcanocafe.wordpress.com
To climb Misti I will need a guide, oxygen, and a head for heights. Right now I don’t have any of those. But the urge to try climbing to the top of El Misti is strong. I have about 2 days to decide if I will try it, and then to make the arrangements. As well as a strong urge to climb Misti, I am curious as to how far mental preparation can bring me. I am not prepared physically, or in terms of equipment. The challenge is to see to what extent mindful meditation and concentration on motivation can be used to face challenges. Misti is definitely a challenge. Even in Arequipa, at 7,661 feet, the effects of altitude are noticeable. The air is thin, the sun burns hard and strenuous activity is difficult. I have no idea what 19,100 feet will feel like, but my fascination with El Misti means I want to find out.