Inca Trail day 3

 

Our Hiking Tour group was – Alpaca Expeditions. We had 3 Guides – Nilton, Adolfo, and Romario. Chef – Walter who was absolutely amazing! Every meal was flavorful and fantastic. 21 Porters to carry everything and prepare the campsites each day. We had 14 hikers in our group and there was always a guide close by. Really the guides were quite attentive and intuitive to our needs. We frequently stopped for rest/photos and a brief history of the area and/or the plant life.

Inca Trail Day 3: May 11 2022 Chaquicocha to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) about 10 km. During the hike we visited two Inca sites, Phuyupatamarca (Village above Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun).It was a nice day to hike. Sunny but not too hot, there wasn't a lot of elevation change. 

Start of Day Group shot: 

                                        

 

It was neat because you could see one site from the other.

However after Phuyupatamarca there are a ton of stairs to get down to Intipata. 

 

 Surprise I'm here (at Intipata)!

In 1911 Machu Picchu was 'discovered' and 1912 they started excavating the site. It wasn't until 1981 when Peru declared it a "historic sanctuary" and then in 1983 Machu Picchu and surrounding area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. By this time a lot of modern day conveniences such as electricity had been brought to the area, so you can get a photo like this one - where the modern world meets the ancient wonders.

 

Start of day Group shot:

It was a shorter hike day so we had extra time at camp to unwind. Our Chef Walter decided to teach how to cook some popular Peruvian Dishes. The group made Mango Ceviche together and then afterwards they showed us how to make Lomo Saltado. Bastian mentioned he use to work as a chef in a restaurant so he was volunteered to cook the Lomo Saltado he really impressed the group.

 

 After our cooking lesson we took a brief walk to see Wiñay Wayna which is another gorgeous inca site. 

 

 

Then we ate dinner and all went to bed for a 3:30am wake up call. Tomorrow we would be at our goal - Machu Picchu!

Inca Trail Day 2

 

Our Hiking Tour group was – Alpaca Expeditions. We had 3 Guides – Nilton, Adolfo, and Romario. Chef – Walter who was absolutely amazing! Every meal was flavorful and fantastic. 21 Porters to carry everything and prepare the campsites each day. We had 14 hikers in our group and there was always a guide close by. Really the guides were quite attentive and intuitive to our needs. We frequently stopped for rest/photos and a brief history of the area and/or the plant life.

Inca Trail Day 2: May 10 2022 Ayapata to Chaquicocha about 16km, over 2 peaks highest elevation 13,779 feet. The morning hike was up 3,000 feet and then down 2,000 feet. The afternoon was up about 1500 feet and then down about 1500 feet. I started my day before the sunrise at 5am and ended after sunset around 6:45pm. It was long, it was arduous but it was so beautiful.

The lead guide Nilton deemed myself and a couple of others to be the more casual (slow) hikers so he asked if we could wake up early and start about 30 minutes before the rest of the group in the hopes that we would finish the hike by sunset. I fully admit to being slower because I took a lot of breaks mostly to catch my breath and drink water though if asked I was just taking in all those 'breathtaking' views...

I started the day by taking a Diamox to help with adjusting to the altitude change. The first uphill bit was gorgeous. It was still night and we could hear the roar of the river and nearby waterfall as we climbed over rocky steps. There wasn't much in the way of flat areas and the steps were uneven and worn from all the feet that pass over them. My personal goal - make it to Dead Woman's Pass (13,779 feet) and not pass out.

Starting out:

 We made it to Llulluchapampa the first rest and photo stop in good time I was tired but still had a good amount of energy. I was determined to snack often and drink water more so this was a perfect spot for both. There were a bunch of llamas milling about and I was very excited to get some photos!

 

The one on the left is a Llama and on the right is an Alpaca.

 Llama!

 

 

 

The next section was rough for me. The rock steps got steeper at times one step would come up past my knees and I was more climbing up them than walking (silly short legs). My walking sticks were an invaluable addition. The good news was the cramps/muscle spasms from day 1 seemed to subside. Upon reaching the high point aka Dead Woman's pass it started to sprinkle. I had enough time to get a few photos of the overcast view and eat my snack before it really started to rain. Everyone started getting their ponchos and rain gear out and by the time I got mine out the rain had turned to hail. It was cold. Everything was wet. But I didn't pass out and so I continued my slow descent to the lunch stop.

We did have 1 person I our group who passed out at the top but I was gone by the time she got there.

Hubby making that last climb to the first peak: 

                                        

 

 Sophi someone we met before the hike who was walking with a different group. We met up with her at almost every peak. This was before it really started to rain...

 

 

We made it to the peak! All dressed up ready to descend.

As I descended the first mountain I began to feel quite dizzy. I had to really rely on my trekking poles and watch every step I took. After a bit I realized it was likely vertigo from the altitude which didn't help my mood much. I was very grumpy, cold, wet, and now extremely dizzy. I quickly learned that If I focused on the horizon or a fixed spot my dizziness was manageable however the rocks were slick and I had to look down a lot to keep my footing. Furthermore there were tons of porters coming down fast behind me so I often would look back over my shoulder triggering another wave of dizziness. Down was slow going. I was shaky and lacked confidence in my footing and the rocks. I was depleting what little mental energy I had quickly. It rained the whole way down with only brief periods of sun. However, I made it and as I was walking into our lunch camp my foot slipped on a rock and I fell. I wasn't injured but I was embarrassed and felt utterly defeated. I ate lunch and because of the rain there wasn't anywhere dry to just sit alone. Lunch did help recharge my battery a bit and by the time we left camp the sun was out again.

The second half of the hike was better. I was still dizzy but I had learned better coping skills. The terrain wasn't as steep and the sun was out. There was a small group of us who stopped frequently took a lot of photos and had a decent time chatting and distracting ourselves. There was a lovely lake right before the second peak of Runkuracay. Then we descended and I ended up slow enjoying the solitude and the sunset. Watching the sunset as I hiked made the crazy, exhausting day worth it. I got to camp and resisted the urge to just crash instead I left my pack in the tent and ate a fabulous dinner while socializing with the group. 

Vik and Ash right before we crested the second peak:

 

 

 Made it to the second peak - Worth it!

Our little group descending the second peak.. These are some nice photos for perspective on the steepness of the hike. Bastian is about 2/3 of the way down

 It just kept going down

 

 The hardest climb for the most beautiful sunset:

 

However I would not dry out and I discovered after dinner that my water bladder was leaking so my backpack never dried out and the tent was wet. It was a very long, very cold night. I slept thanks to double socks and the forethought to bring an extra blanket.

 

Are we there yet?

Porters

Taking in the moment

 

Inca Trail Day 1

 

Our Hiking Tour group was – Alpaca Expeditions aka the Green Machine. We had 3 Guides – Nilton, Adolfo, and Romario. Chef – Walter who was absolutely amazing! Every meal was flavorful and fantastic. 21 Porters to carry everything and prepare the campsites each day. We had 14 hikers in our group and there was always a guide close by. Really the guides were quite attentive and intuitive to our needs. We frequently stopped for rest/photos and a brief history of the area and/or the plant life.

Inca Trail Day one: May 9 2022 Cusco to Ayapata about 14km hike, final elevation 10,800 feet (about a 2,000 foot climb). We started with a 4am pickup from our hostel. Then a quick stop for a nice breakfast and a chance to socialize with our group before we drove to the start of the Inca Trail. 

 Our Breakfast space:

 

Hubby found a furry friend to cuddle:

Once at the actual starting point there was an excited apprehension/tension in the air. Several groups embarking on an adventure with unknown trials ahead eager to start.

Ready to begin:

 

Getting everything together:

 Starting off before photos:

                                        

 First steps

First views: 

We had to bring enough water to last until lunch. The dilemma was we had no idea how far, what terrain, and what the weather would be. We woefully under estimated our needs which made the first half of the day a lot harder. It was hot with little shade. Mostly up with a little down hill then up again. Altitude was a problem despite having spent the 4 days prior at higher altitudes I was still quite winded with exercise. We started at about 9,000 feet by lunch I was exhausted, dehydrated and experiencing extreme leg and hand cramps/spasms. I kept having to stop to stretch out my legs the lunch break only helped some. I ate a little and laid down in the grass stretching and catching my breath. Psyching myself up to do the next bit knowing it was all uphill but that my water bladder would be full.

The after lunch hike wasn't so bad but my muscle spasms worsened and by the time I was back in camp I just wanted to lay down. 

The face of relief, accomplishment, exhaustion - One day down!

 After a few minutes rest LOL

My thoughts – I survived. I had a lot of apprehension for day 2 which would be the longest hardest day with 16km to hike, 2 peaks to crest including our highest elevation – 13,800 feet. I couldn't sleep mostly because my leg cramps kept waking me up. They would only subside if I stood so at about midnight I took a night walk around the camp illuminated by the moon and stars. It was silent and magical. I felt rejuvenated and slept some until I woke up again with a head full of doubt and wrote the following in my journal -

Sleep sporadic, mostly comfortable some cramps too much on my mind. Wake up call is 4am, 2 am wide awake. Will I make it? Ne
ed to psych myself up. No Mountain is insurmountable. Went out moon is almost full, sky full of stars. Mountains surround us. Remember – I am capable, I am strong. The only way forward is through. There has been many metaphorical mountain I have surpassed and many more in the future. One step at a time. This is a physical representation of all I have overcome, all I will continue to overcome.

Death and sadness, loss, anger, pain, injury, restarting life, accepting love, pushing past self-imposed barriers these have been my mountains.

I won;t let fear, apprehension hold me back. The only way to grow is to try. There is no failure if you try, if you do, if you reach for your dream, a goal. Go for It – Conquer your Mountain! Eyes ahead, Head up, De the STRONG, DETERMINED, FOCUSED woman you are! Lastly- Remember to breathe. You got this!

Inca site #1

 

 Inca Site zoomed in:

I loved these trees with the Spanish Moss. Reminded me of the trees in Savannah, GA

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