Yerupaja is Peru's second highest peak and the highest point in the massive Amazon River watershed. Yerupaja crowns the stunning Cordillera Huayhuash in the north central Peruvian Andes, a compact range that boasts several peaks over 6,000 meters. Like all peaks of the Huayhuash, Yerupaja rises in a nearly vertical wall of rock and overhanging ice. It also possesses a knife edged summit ridge draped with the beautiful but brittle snow flutings that are so prevalent in the Huayhuash. Not surprisingly due to the combination of these natural defenses and its high elevation, Yerupaja sees very few successful ascents.