A windy, four-hour drive delivered us to the village of Cuncani from Cusco, Peru.
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Snow-dusted mountains lined the roads on the way down from Cerro de Pasco, Peru.
Andrea, who is dating Dr. Francisco Villafuerte, proved to be an invaluable translator during our visit to Cerro de Pasco. Although her background is in biology, she now owns her own baking company.
Nicanor, shown with his granddaughter, Anjeli (7) and daughter, Silvia (33). Silvia and Anjeli don't currently show signs of CMS, but they may be genetically predisposed to the disease.
Drs. Francisco Villafuerte and Tatum Simonson discuss their work in between participant visits.
Dr. Francisco Villafuerte analyzes data during a study participant's biking session.
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Study participants use the bike in one-hour increments.
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Participants are outfitted with body monitors and other devices prior to their stationary bike sessions.
It takes a village to conduct an exercise study, as shown by members of the Villafuerte Lab.
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Jose Luis, one of the researchers at the Villafuerte Lab, measures the oxygen capacity of Edwin, a 46-year-old study participant.
CMS patients often reveal blue-tinged skin in their arms and legs.
Nicanor, a 62-year-old grandfather, has dealt with the effects of Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS) for over twenty years.
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Members of the Villafuerte Lab often work into the night, due to the sleep studies that they conduct as part of their research.
On the way to Cerro de Pasco with Dr. Francisco Villafuerte.
James Yu, a graduate student researcher at the Simonson Lab, became interested in high-altitude research during his flight training with the Army.
Packing up for the nine-hour van ride to Cerro de Pasco.
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Soledad and B'Linda are two of eight siblings--they have three brothers and three sisters.
Dr. Tatum Simonson shares a moment with Jacomo.
Although she has no plans to leave Cusco, B'Linda makes sure to visit her family in Sierra Bella twice a month.
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Soledad currently works for a tourism company in Cusco, and hopes to make that her career.
Soledad currently works for a tourism company in Cusco, and hopes to make that her career.
B'Linda and Soledad work with Jacomo, our translator, to trace back and record their extensive family history.
B'Linda (27) and her sister, Soledad (23) live in Cusco, but grew up in the remote village of Sierra Bella, Peru.
Clouds settle over the peaks flanking Cuncani.
Taking advantage of the warm weather in Cuncani.
Brothers Oliver (4) and Kevin (6) ham it up for the camera.
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"It takes three months" to weave a single table runner, Ricartina shared.
The handicraft's red-orange threads, Ricartina noted, are derived from the crushed bodies of cochinea, an insect found in a local cactus.
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A porcine perspective.
Ricartina maintained an intense focus on her work during our visit, only looking up when asked questions about her trade.
Ricartina relies on "local plants, fruits, insects, and flowers" to give her yarn its vibrant colors.
Once Ricartina completes a woven piece, she sells them in Lares Valley for around 100 soles (approximately $30 USD).
"I'll have to work for a week, six to seven hours a day, to finish this last section," Ricartina shared.
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This particular table runner, Ricartina shared, is made with sheep's wool.
Surrounded by verdure at Sergio and Ricartina's home.
Oliver leads the way down the road to his neighbors' home.
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Most people choose to have children in Cuncani. "Only a few don't," Esteban said. "If I don't have them, when I'm old, nobody's going to be there to help me."
Compared to prior generations, "People now have fewer children," Esteban said.
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Oliver was initially apprehensive of his home visitors, but quickly took interest in the camera.
Esteban lives with his family in Cuncani, but travels to lower-altitude cities, where he works in construction. He also works as a porter for additional income.
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A guinea pig (cuy) enclosure at the back of Esteban and Narcissa's home failed to stop this adventurer from exploring its surroundings.
Pantry staples are displayed out in the open in Esteban's home.
Despite the challenges of a high-altitude climate, families like Narcissa's have lived in the community for generations. September 24, they shared, is the anniversary of the community's founding.
The only mirror in Narcissa's home captured this moment between mother and son. Whenever the camera was directed towards them, they both were quick to pose.
A cup of coca leaf tea upon our arrival to Esteban and Narcissa's home in Cuncani, Peru.
The first of two home visits in the remote mountain village of Cuncani, Peru.
Our team met six-year-old Kevin at the local primary school, only to see him again at his home later in the afternoon.
Children enjoy recess at a primary school on the outskirts of the Cuncani village.
Taking a pit stop at the highest point in the Lares Valley.
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