Rock Climbing: Yes -- there is rock climbing in Peru, although you might not think so due to the deluge of posts about climbing ice and snow in the Cordillera Blanca. I have climbed at Monterrey, which is about 20 minutes by colectivo (minibus) from Huaraz. The climbing is really only good for something to do during a rest day, in my opinion. There are two routes on the left side of the river. One is about 5.11, and the other is about 5.7 or 5.8. There are maybe five or six routes on the right side of the river. I only climbed one of them, and it felt like 5.11a or so to me. There may be more routes on the backside of this wall, but I didn't look at them. Everything here is bolted sport, and the cliff faces are about 60 ft. high. Supposedly, there is better climbing (sport) in Chancos, but I didn't get a chance to check it out. I personally couldn't find any established trad crags, but that doesn't mean that there aren't any. Some places will rent you quickdraws (express, in Spanish), but good luck trying to rent a rack. Alpine: This is the Cordillera Blanca. Common consensus is that Pisco, Uruz, and Ishinca are the easiest peaks. Lots of beta should already be out there floating around in Google. Tons of guide services here, if that floats your boat. Gear: I have had good luck with Mountclimb. The shop is run by a nice dude named Alfredo, and he speaks slow Spanish so your gringo head can understand. He has pretty modern gear, and the prices are reasonable. I was able to rent everything I needed for a full day of sport climbing from him (rope, shoes, harness, draws, belay device). Obviously, he carries stuff for alpine too (gore-tex jackets, sleeping bags, crampons, boots, etc.) His shop is right next door to the Hostel Quintana, which is a few blocks off the main street (Luzuriaga). Skyline Adventures (nearby) is run by an American named Alex. He's got lots of good beta and is very friendly. Lodging: Everyone has their favorite place. I only stayed at the Hostel Quintana, mostly because I was too lazy to try and find somewhere else to stay. I liked it though, so that's that. Food: My favorite place for lunch is Chifa Sam's. The portions are huge, and the owner/cook is a real Chinese who cooks very well. Thus, if you want Chinese food, go there, as opposed to some of the other Chifa places. I believe the address is 520 Juan de Morales, so it's very close to Hostel Quintana. There's a Chifa Sam's on Luzuriaga too, but that's not the same thing. For dinner, there's a new place that just opened up called the Baby Donkey. It's owned and run by an American named Jen, and the theme is all you can eat, make your own burrito place. The prices are on par with some of the more midrange-expensive restaurants around town. This is a great place to go after a long trek or alpine climb to refill on valuable calories. Internet: The best place that I've found so far is a place close to Hostel Quintana. From the hostel, you walk toward Luzuriaga, and make a left at the corner (where Sabor y Salud restaurant is). On that street, you'll see a yellow and blue sign for Internet. Everywhere else is SLOW. Plus, they play good music. If you walk past the yellow and blue sign to the next street and make a right, Chifa Sam's is right there. That's all I can think of at the moment. Hopefully it's helpful to some. Be careful out there -- 4 Austrians died on Huascaran last week. /Alex, headed to Cuzco tomorrow