About Ausangate Mountain, Our inspiration...
The Mountain With The Hard To Pronounce Name!
Ausangate (pronounced Aw-san-gati in Quechuan, the language of the Inca descendants currently living in the region of Peru.) is a mountain of the Cordillera Vilcanota range in the Andes Mountain of Peru. Ausangate Mountain rises to an altitude of 6,384 meters (20,984 feet) and is located 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Cuzco, Peru. The mountain has significance in Inca mythology. Every year on the north side of Ausangate the feast of Qoyllur Rit'i (Quechua: "north star") is celebrated before the feast of the Corpus Christi, during which thousands of Quechua pilgrims attend. Ausangate is a place of worship, prayer and peace known as an Apu to the Inca.
Ausangate is the home of the Apu, the spirit of the sacred mountain, the most powerful of all nature spirits. Ausangate is also known as the sacred mountain that is the home of the ancestors. An Apu is also known as a light being that exists between special mountains.
The legend tells us that Apu spirits live in both the middle and upper worlds, and can intercede with the Gods on behalf of humanity. Ancient Inca legend tells us that Pachamama (the Apu Mother Nature) appeared to humanity with a loan to keep humankind warm, the marvelous Alpaca. In return for the gift, humans are to take care of the Alpaca humanely for all time or Pachamama will take the alpacas back. The region is inhabited by alpaca herding communities, and constitutes one of the few remaining pastoralist societies in the world. The herders use high mountain trails to trade with agricultural communities at lower elevations. Alpaca herders do not practice the painful shearing process known as Museling that is practiced when shearing sheep in most parts of the world. Alpaca farmers treat the Alpacas humanely and with compassion. The centuries old practice of humane treatment of the alpacas keeps Pachamama pleased.
Ausangate Socks are made with a luxurious alpaca yarn blend and are remarkably softer than wool, cotton or synthetic socks. Our socks will keep your feet warm and dry in winter, fresh and cool in summer.
You will walk away from socks made of prickly wool, moisture trapping cotton and other yarn blends when you feet and lower legs feel alpaca yarn against your skin.
Choose Ausangate Alpaca Socks for the feet you love. Mother Nature will be pleased!