were 485 glaciers left, covering an area of 569.6 km2. Lakes Among the most important lakes in the range are the Llanganuco Lakes, which are located on the northern side of Huascarán, and are accessible from the town of Yungay; the deep-turquoise Lake Parón (the biggest lake in the Cordillera Blanca), located just north of Huandoy, accessible from the town of Caraz; Lakes Ichiccocha and Jatuncocha, which are near Artesonraju and Alpamayo and are accessible only by trekking or on horseback from Caraz. Some other notable lakes are Lake 69, Lake Allicocha, Lake Auquiscocha, Lake Palcacocha, Lake Querococha, and Lake Conococha. Peaks There are several 6,000 m peaks in the Cordillera Blanca with a 400 m topographic prominence, and several other peaks over 5,500 m. Huascarán Sur, the highest, has two commonly quoted heights: 6,746 m from the Peruvian National Geographic Institute (IGN) map and 6,768 m from the Austrian Alpine Club (OeAV) survey map. Some of the highest peaks in the Cordillera Blanca are listed below. Huascarán, Huantsán, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Chinchey, Palcaraju, Santa Cruz, Copa, Ranrapalca, Pucaranra, Hualcán, Chacraraju, Pucajirca, Quitaraju, Tocllaraju, Artesonraju, Caraz, Contrahierbas, Alpamayo, Ocshapalca, Pirámide, Ulta, San Juan, Taulliraju, Santa Cruz Norte, Rinrijirca, Santa Cruz Chico, Tullparaju, Pisco, Paccharaju, Champará, Uruashraju, Cayesh, Cashan, Shacsha, Rúrec, Mururaju, Vallunaraju, Caullaraju, Queshque, Jatuncunca, Parón, Perlilla, Copap, Jacabamba, Andavite, Millishraju, Tantash, Carhuascancha, Churup, Challhua, Tuco, Pucagaga Punta, Yanapaccha, Kima Rumi, Huamashraju, Urus, Huapi, Milluacocha, Rocotopunta, Raju Cutac, Pucaraju, Tarushcancha, Tuctopunta, Pomabamba, Maparaju, San Julián, Vicos, Carhuallún, Chequiaraju, Pilanco, Rima Rima, Tuctubamba, Santón, Yanamarey, Tarush Huachanan, Pacra, Sentilo, Ichic Jeulla, Yanarrajo, Pucaraju, Arteza, Tuctu, Kunkush, Cahuish, Gaico, Collpa Janca, Hot springs Among the most important hot springs in the area are Monterrey and Chancos, which have been transformed into thermal bath facilities. They are 7 and 27 km respectively from the regional capital, Huaraz. Climate The dry season extends from May through September, June and July having the least rain and more stable weather. The data on the chart correspond to the village of Musho (elevation: 3084 m), located at the foot of Huascarán. Ecology Flora and fauna in the range have adapted to the climate and elevational range of mountainous areas. Almost all of the Cordillera Blanca is protected by Huascarán National Park. Flora The main types of plant communities present in the area are the vegetation of inter-Andean valleys (xerophytic plants in the lower elevations and shrubs and grassland