The day began with a wake up at 5:15. We had to prepare our stuff for the porters to tear down and reload. They came by at 5:30 with coca tea and hot water to clean. Breakfast consisted of quinoa porridge with caramel and apple. It was amazing.
After breakfast, we were formally introduced to the porters, and we had to introduce ourselves as well. I liked this formality, as it was respectful to the porters and to us. Most of them live and farm in the high mountains and being a porter is their second job. These are true mountain men. Our youngest porter was 19 and oldest was 41.
After breakfast, we were formally introduced to the porters, and we had to introduce ourselves as well. I liked this formality, as it was respectful to the porters and to us. Most of them live and farm in the high mountains and being a porter is their second job. These are true mountain men. Our youngest porter was 19 and oldest was 41.
We began the hike with a large uphill climb passing through a cloud forest with a damp cool breeze. The trees totally changed and Elias was pointing everything out for us.
One the way up the climb we ran into a strange porter asking for money and coca leaves. He was ancient and looked really tired. Elias said that some of the local guys operate as one day porters for people that over estimate their ability to make the big climb with their full packs. The unofficial porters carry the bags over "Dead Woman's Pass" to the camp site and then go back home. We were doing fine, but other hiking groups on the trail were struggling and surely could use this guy. He told us he was 68 years old!
Jack, Dorothy, and Charles
One of the many bridges to cross the streams.
Looking back on our climb.
This is where our training should pay off.
Cool location marker
Katherine in the cloud forest.
Then there was lunch. Wow! We ate right before the pass. It consisted of: lomo saltado with chicken, a fried egg foo young type thing, lentils, rice, vegetables, and for desert was a pear dish with a sherry sauce. How can this be camp food? It was too good.
Katherine at our lunch location.
Charles navigating the rocks on the original Inca stonework.
Almost at the saddle.
Katherine made it!
Once we made it to the top of the pass at 13,780 feet we saw others celebrating their huge climb. Everyone was cheering for each other. On one side of the pass there were clear skies, and on the other there was a gusty breeze blowing clouds over the top. It made for a great contrast.
Here is Elias stomping the ascent to the saddle.
The trail over the pass was the best Inca stonework we had seen. It was perfect.
Thomas, me, Katherine, and Charles
Once again, we got to camp to see tents set up and could smell dinner cooking. The porters had busted some serious booty to climb up to this site. The view was looking down the valley with another large snow covered mountain in the background. Everyone in the group except Katherine was feeling the effects of the high altitude with headaches. We were all happy to eat a great meal and go to bed early.
Elias trying to artfully photo-bomb. Nicely done.
Tomorrow, we will have a short ascent to some ruins and then a brutal downhill. Rest up!
No comments:
Post a Comment