Rough dirt road, desert uphill riding up the Marañon river. Fairly flat at first, but got steeper. This was the third time we crossed the Marañon! We were treated to a wonderful fiesta with dancing (and they gave us lunch) in the town of Huayuculano. Up from Tingo Chico at 3000 meters to Chavinillo at 3400. Note that when people or the police talked about this stretch (La Union to Huanuco) they considered it fairly dangerous for assaults and told us we should not be out after 5pm and certainly should not camp outside the protection of a village. They didn't have any fears for us during the daytime.