Huayhuash (possibly from Quechua waywash, weasel, or waywashi, squirrel) is a mountain range within the Andes of Peru, in the boundaries of the regions of Ancash, Lima and Huánuco. Since 2002 it is protected within the Cordillera Huayhuash Reserved Zone. Geography The Huayhuash range is 30 km long north to south and includes seven peaks over 6000 m including Yerupajá, which, at , is the second highest peak in Peru. Another notable peak, Siula (6,344 m) was made famous by mountaineer Joe Simpson in his book Touching the Void. Compared to the neighboring Cordillera Blanca, Huayhuash possesses narrower valleys and higher mountain passes. There are many lesser peaks surrounding those covered by ice, and several passes exceeding 5,000 m. It is necessary to travel a considerable distance from the central range to find ground lower than 3,000 m, even on valley floors, and the range is often taken to include this much larger area. The vegetated areas of the range are part of the Central Andean wet puna ecoregion. The area is scarcely populated, containing only small settlements generally found below 4000 m (the snowline is found at approximately 4,800 m). The nearest villages are Chiquián (3,400 m) and Cajatambo (3,375 m). Some mining takes place in the area, so to the north of the mountains there is an unsurfaced road leading up to as high as 4750 m. In 2002, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture declared the Huayhuash mountain range a "reserved zone" and prohibited certain economic activities, including any future mining. Peaks A selection of the highest peaks of the Huayhuash range is listed below. Yerupajá, Siula, Sarapo, Jirishanca, Yerupaja Chico, Rasac, Carnicero, Rondoy, Seria N, El Toro, Tsacra (or Sacra), Mituraju, Jurau, Trapecio, Huacshash, Suerococha, Huacrish, Ninashanca, Quesillo, Pariauccro, Mitopunta, Seria Punta, Ancocancha, Auxilio, Cuyoc, Huaraca, Pumarinri, Jirishanca Chico, Sueroraju, Rajucollota, Puscanturpa, Jullutahuarco, Sarapococha, Alcay, Paria, Suerococha (Ancash), Suerococha (Cajatambo), Julcán, Gasha, Trekking The range has become noted for trekking in the form of the Huayhuash Circuit, which is considered quite a challenge and is undoubtedly far more demanding than the famous Inca Trail in the south of Peru. Fewer people trek the Cordillera Huayhuash than the nearby Cordillera Blanca. The circuit generally takes between ten and fourteen days, depending on the route taken. Most of the walking and most of the campsites are above the 4,000 m tree line, so the landscape appears rugged and mountainous,