Day two Inca trail - Uphill all the way
Trip Start
Sep 20, 2004
1
18
89
Trip End
Mar 30, 2005
Cusco,
Peru
Friday, October 15, 2004
Today is the toughest, we knew we had to ascend to 4200 m (from 2900m) before descending back to 3550m and all this before lunch ! We set off at 6.50 am and got to the 2nd check point before starting the journey. It all went ok for the first hour with a steady incline before dropping back down again to cross a river which was very disheartenning
top of ths damn mountain!
. Then the rain came down, first of all we thought it would pass but it got heavier as did our bags and our hearts. We pushed on uphill for sevral hours before getting closer to the peak by which stage we had to stop every 50m to rest and catch our breath. We were gasping for breath at the 3500m + and the cold started to get into our bones and our hands suddenly stiffened up so they would hardly move. Bobīs legs started to cramp and evrytime we thought we reached the top the path would turn and another set of steps were climbing into the sky. We were level with the clouds and the snow peaks on the opposite side of thr valley. Finally we managed to crawl to the top where we turned around to admire the view.
We didnīt have long though because Dead womans pass is so high the wind cuts through you like a knife. I just managed to give a quick hooray, stop for breath, swig some water and put my gloves on (with much difficulty) before starting back down the otherside of the mountain.
Downhill from here on in, put no not a nice trundle downhill big stone unven steps cut into the rocks. The walking sticks moved into second gear and supported my aching legs as I hobbled down although Bob was pretty much in free fall for the next two hours as he was so pleased that he had regained use of his legs.
At last made it to camp over a gushing river which threatenned to take you down to china down withone false step. Collapsed in a heap and managed to put on as many layers as possible to keep warm. We had our lunch, snooze, teaand dinner at this camp and it was such a relief to have made it. We played silly games and sung to keep the cold out as our group food tent threatenned to fall down in the wind and rain.
More emergency booze after dinner and then everyone collapsed to bed. Very cold night even though I was fully clothed and had my sleping bag and liner over my head all night. General snoring from the other tents and wind blowing around the tent. Amazing place though !!
