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Mountain landscapes of the Andes

Stunning images of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, taken by American photographer and film-maker Chris A. Johns.

Chris A. Johns

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When we invited Chris A. Johns down to get involved in Project Cordillera, we had no idea of the kind of results we'd get. From truly beautiful portrait, documentary and nature photography through to stuffing video, Chris's talents are plentiful, and this is as true of mountain landscape photography as anywhere else.

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These images and others like them are the results of Chris's meticulous dedication to his art, his boundless positive energy and openness to get amongst the action, and a deep focus on the details. This is just a small selection from a catalogue of examples, and captures well the stuffing beautiful of Peru's Cordilleras Blanca, Negra and Huayhuash - all of which are included - both close up and from a distance.

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The somewhat eerie entrance to the Llaca Valley above Huaraz in Perú's Cordillera Blanca, seen using a long lens from Los Olivos amongst the first crags of the Cordillera Negra. The imposing peak of Rima Rima is hidden by rainfall and cloud being lit up by the setting sun.

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The magnificent Cordillera Huayhuash as seen from the Southern hills of the Cordillera Negra to the North during the late part of sunset. A single lenticular cloud can be seen atop Yerupajá, which at 6,634m is Perú's second highest mountain.

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The stunning snow and ice flutings of Chacraraju (6,108m) as seen here from near the Pisco basecamp. This image beautifully captures the "movement of the mountain" and it's connectedness with the elements. Legends are abound about the deadliness of this peak and it is easy to see why.

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The somewhat terrifying faces and glaciers of Huandoy's North Eastern ridge with some of the great massif seen above the clouds. An image that illustrates the inhospitable remoteness and cold of some mountain landscapes.

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Flowers, trees and rushing icy waters flowing down the mountainsides into the vast valleys below. Still high enough for little human activity, this is the first significant signs of life below the white peaks and rock that define the loftier mountains above.

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A lone tree emerges on the lower slops of Huandoy with the huge presence of Perú's highest mountain, Huascaran (6,768m), looming large in the background.

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Kenji Stasiewicz and Sam Williams lead climb among the stars and night skies of the Cordillera Negra's Hatun Machay. Nevermind the freezing temperatures, anything's is worth it for a good photograph!

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Huascaran Sur (to the left) and Huascaran Norte seen from next to a rushing stream on the lower slops of Pisco in Perú's Cordillera Blanca.

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The turquoise waters of lake Llanganuco Orconcocha in the huge Llanganuco Vally illustrate another fundamental part of the mountain environments, namely the glacial lakes and waterways that breath life into the land lower down. Fallen boulders from the giant rock faces around the lake are scattered throughout the lake.

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The Llaca Valley seen again as the sun hits the rain displaying a nice rainbow and the just visible rocky peak of Rima Rima, with the giant shadows of the unseeable mountains obscured by the cloud cover.

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Tom Sandiford is pictured leading the decent from the summit of Pisco in Perú's Cordillera Blanca. Edging on the lower side of a large crevasse, this image again illustrates the cold, bleak but nonetheless stunning landscapes in the mountains.

Chris A. Johns

Biologist, researcher, film-maker and photographer, Chris captures stunning images from the natural world. His research and expeditionary photography has taken him around the globe, focusing on animal and plant life as well as adventure.

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