Andes Expedition

You've just been fortunate to witness the incredible diversity of plant life on Nevado Huascarán. Unfortunately, these plants are in danger. In addition to the threats to the quenual forests you learned about before, other threats are being posed by the building of new roads and dams, resource mining, and tourist activities. These threats exist because people have discovered the vast resources-from fun to wood-that mountains have to offer and they are taking advantage of them.

Fortunately, steps are being taken to protect Huascarán National Park and the Cordillera Blanca. Both have been designated as "zona intangible," which means that they must be preserved forever in their current natural state. Can you think of some place near your school or home that is being protected in a similar way? The Asociacion Ecologia y Conservacion (ECCO) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect the biodiversity of Peru. ECCO is challenging the construction of new dams in the park and has restricted mining practices. One activity ECCO proposes as a solution to these problems is ecotourism. What is ecotourism? Take some time now to investigate with your teammates what is meant by ecotourism. Why would an organization like ECCO promote ecotourism activities?

Base camp in the Andes. Photo: TMI

Exhausted after a full day of climbing, your team returns to base camp. The temperature is cooling down quickly so you change your clothes, adding several layers. Dinner at last! You stuff yourself with a hearty stew of potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and pasta. Finally you settle into your tent to record the day's events in your journal and get a good night of sleep.