Peru Adventure - Conquering 5,822m El Misti Volcano in Arequipa 🌋

During my first weekend in Arequipa, I embarked on a 2-day/1-night ascent of El Misti - the iconic volcano that watches over the city (last erupted in 1985!). Volcano Options in Arequipa: ✔ Chachani (6000m+) - Highest but "easiest" (can be done in 1 day) ✔ Pichu Pichu - Lowest but most technical summit ✔ El Misti (5,822m) - Moderate difficulty, classic Grau Route chosen The Journey: Day 1️⃣ Started at trailhead with rented gear Reached Pyramid Basecamp by afternoon Set up tents with stunning views of Arequipa Shared campfire dinner (fried rice & veg soup tasted like 5-star cuisine!) Day 2️⃣ (Summit Push!) 1AM wake-up - tea, cheese & bread breakfast Brutally cold (-15°C with howling winds ❄️) Sunrise at 5AM brought warmth & epic views Reached summit by 8AM! Saw: • Smoking Sabancaya volcano 🌋 • Distant salt flats • Sulfuric fumes rising from El Misti's crater The Descent = Best Part! Volcanic ash "surfing" - each step slid 3m down fluffy white powder ☁️ Returned to town by 4PM, devoured dinner like a starved bear 🐻 #Peru #AdventureTravel #VolcanoTrek #ElMisti #Arequipa #HighAltitude #Mountaineering #CampingLife