Where's that frozen lake?

I kept hearing about this Lago Congelado but somehow never did a search online to see what it looked like. It’s located at the foot of Artesonraju (6,025m) in the Quebrada (gorge/canyon) Parón but that’s all I knew. Sitting on the shore of the spectacular Laguna Parón at 4,200m, the longest and largest in the Huascarán National Park (Ancash, Peru), I was contemplating where I should go and explore the next day…I had a free the following day and was staying at the Refugio Parón and gagging for something new, even if it was hard work getting there.

The guy at the refugio who also sometimes worked as a porter for the mountain climbers, explained that I could get to the lake along the trail that goes to Artesonraju Basecamp and Campo Morena (Moraine Camp). Walking with a full load of gear, he said it took him about three and a half hours to get there. It was decided, I would head off the next morning and go and find Lago Congelado.

The first section was pretty simple walking the 4.2km trail on the northern shore of Laguna Parón which with a bit of ups and downs took me about an hour. It was cloudy and cold but at least not raining…no rain and cool weather always made for easier walking and I was feeling strong. Dressed with a few layers but not thick, I was just warm enough to be comfortable and the backpack seemed to fitting better than ever.

At the eastern end of the lake, I started crossing some of the rivers and streams that ran down from Artesoncocha (cocha = lake) and from the glacier of Mt Caraz. I was aiming in the general direction of the trail that headed up the western side of Artesoncocha to the foot of Artesonraju. The river crossings were fairly simple as it was still early and the water levels were low - in the afternoon with more melt from the glaciers and snow, the levels would be up between 30-40cm.

Final rundown of all the streams from the glaciers.

On the ridge west of Artesoncocha, I was walking at 4,400m, 200m above the average level of the trail along Laguna Parón to the river crossings. The ascent hadn’t been too steep but I could feel it although going a bit slower now to take some photos and videos of the surrounding scenery.

Looking back, were the peaks of Chacraraju and Pisco, at times hidden in the clouds and then at the northern end of Artesoncocha, a massively high waterfall, I reckon at least 150m, coming from the foot of Artesonraju. The latter and then Mt Garcilaso to my right were still hidden in the clouds although their glaciers were visible at times.

Peaks of Chacraraju and Pisco in the distance and Artesoncocha (lake).

Below to my left was a small river/stream passing through a little patch of Polylepis forest and a few open spaces - I later found out that this is the basecamp of Artesonraju, and I presume, at times for Mt Caraz as well. At this stage with the views around me, regardless of it being cloudy, I already had a huge smile that wasn’t leaving my face!

The trail gradually starting ascending a bit more as it started curving more to the left over a rocky section till I reached a point with two signs “Nev Caraz 6,020msnm” and “Nev Arteson 6,025msnm” - according to the gps I was at 4,563m. The little stream here was handy for freshening up a bit and filling up my waterbottle and obviously, taking a few more photos. The trail to the right to Artesonraju went up steeply to the right but I wasn’t about to be stop now - I needed to find Lago Congelado!

Heading up the trail to the right it was about a slow step by step ascent which meant I could advance constantly without lots of stops - 560m in distance with a 207m ascent which, according to the gps took me about 40min. I passed what looked like a terraced area ideal for camping. (Later this was confirmed to be advanced basecamp or sometimes referred to as Campo Morena.) 

The joint glacier from the three mountains behind me. The run-off from the lake via a waterfall is at the bottom right of the photo where the blocks of ice are floating.

The view from up here at 4,786m left me speechless but with a massive smile…three glaciers came together and down the centre, a huge wide joint glacier into a huge lake with massive blocks of ice (little icebergs?) floating around. From a point to the right the water flowed out into what was the waterfall that fed Artesoncocha. This just completely exceeded my wildest expectations of what I would find up here, especially as I hadn’t seen any photos of it! 

While it started to snow lightly, I had something to eat and took some more photos - I was a very happy camper and there was little that could change that at this moment!  It had taken me three and a half hours to get here which I was pretty happy with and it had been a good trek as I was still feeling strong. The mountain peaks of Artesonraju, Paria and Garcilaso (Pirámide) were hidden in the clouds but with the bit of wind blowing I got glimpses of them. An incredible moment and place and I was savouring every second!!

Waterfall in the background from the Lago Congelado into Artesoncocha (lake)
[photo taken on a different occasion with clients]

Eventually after almost an hour it was time to head down and back to the Refugio Parón. The trek back only took me two hours although some time spent finding crossings over the variety of little rivers and streams which were now about 15cm higher - not more as there hadn’t been much sun/warmth around.

This trek is an excellent option for somebody who is well-acclimatised (a must!) and physically reasonably fit at least - totally worth every moment spent on the trail with a range of panoramas and views that will blow your mind!

Total distance: 15.3km Trekking time (return):  5h30min

Total ascent:  885m Highest point:  4,786m

Total descent: 900m Lowest point: 4,177m

Lake Artesoncocha behind me and the waterfall from Lago Congelado just visible at the far end.