Quilpa Hirka Mountains

The high ridges west of the Santa River form part of the mountain country of Áncash. The Cordillera Negra borders the Callejón de Huaylas on the west, facing the snow-covered Cordillera Blanca across the valley. Its slopes descend towards settlements and fields along the river, while the upper ground is rocky and sparsely vegetated. The Santa flows north between these ranges before turning towards the Pacific.