Every year in June there is an international festival for outdoor adventure sports that takes place in the entire Callejon de Huaylas and the surrounding mountains. Many folks from all around the world come to enter the competitions and enjoy the opportunity; often the same people arrive every year to compete along side the Peruvians who live and have the local experience/advantage. The week is always filled with sportsmanship, energy, parties, and storytelling.

All the people arrive in Pastoruri for the skiing events at the end of June. Photo Julio Cesar

   One of the more famous events is the skiing and snowboarding competition that takes place in two places, Pastoruri (map) and Punta Olimpica (map). More than two thousand people come for these events and the competition is world class. There are separate competitions for slalom, downhill; all using downhill skis or snowboards. The organizers put all the flags up and the participants walk to the top of the mountian. The competitors are judged for speed and style.

    There is also a competition for mountain bikes in the hills near Huaraz and Monterrey. Once again this competition draws international attention and is at a world class level. Don't forget that the altitude is 3000 meters, if you want to really compete you will need to arrive one or two weeks early to aclimatize and compete with the locals.

   There are other competitions for rock climbing in Monterrey at the site 'Roco el Rocódromo', for rafting in the Rio Santa near Carhuaz and for parachuting in the hills of the Cordillera Blanca. Apart from these competitions the opportunity for all the other more tranquil mountain sports such as backpacking and climbing adventure is greater as there are more people in the area ready to go, guide, or just be a companion.

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