Global Warming Signs

Every morning I wake to view La Brayani mountain rising up from the Mucmoca Valley at 5600 meters or 18,372 feet. 20 years ago Brayani Mountain was covered with snow and glacial ice, but today only thin ribbons of snow remain. After a weaving session I hiked up with Remigio and his uncle to gather firewood. We walked across the soft, soggy, green land to reach the saddle which provided views of two large lagoons. Signs of volcanic activity are evident in the lava rock and clear blue lagoons. The remaining snow on La Brayani and surrounding mountains melts down and flows into the lagoon and then cuts through the valley in the form of a stream. People here predict that within 20 years there will no longer be water available in the Mucmoca Valley due to the rapid melting of the snow and lack of snowfall. We reached the pass at 15,520 feet, even Remigio and his uncle were breathing heavily, which made me feel better about my labored breath. Saw some vizcacha running around the highland talus slopes, they look like a cross between a rabbit and giant squirrel or house cat.

New Quechua words learned today:
pakarincama = hasta manana or see you tomorrow
himinaya = hola or hello
orpillay = gracias or thank you.