INCA TRAIL

DAY 2

THE CLIMB TO THE SUMMIT OF DEAD WOMAN PASS

 The climb to the summit is 13,769 ft and was about 13km straight up and then straight down.  The top picture is about half way up and the summit is located around the corner at the bottom of the V in the mountains.  The bottom one is where we had hiked already.

 We saw some spectacular views, ruins and rain forest as we made our way up the mountain.  

The air was getting rather thin and it was difficult to breath, so we made many rest stops along the way.

As we got about 2/3 of the way up to the summit, Jayco our assistant guide who was hanging out at the back with us asked if he could take some of the weight out of my day bag for me. At first I said no but as we rounded the next corner and I saw the massive amounts of stairs we had to climb I caved.  A short while later two of our porters, came running down to meet us.  They had already made it to the top and then ran down to help us with our day packs.  Got to love them to the end of the world.  Even taking 5-7 kg off our backs helped us make it to the top.  They stayed with us as our camel packs were in our bags.

After many many rest stops to catch our breath we eventually made it to the summit.  The snow covered Andes were amazing as they peaked out between the clouds.  The wind was howling at the top so we didn't stay too long, but we dug deep, stuck with it and accomplished something I am very proud of.

From the top you descend down uneven rock stairs from 4200m to 3600m.  This was an extremely long day with no real lunch break until we were in camp at 3:30.  We were exhausted by the time we made it to camp.  Bill was not feeling well so he went to lie down, we were still at fairly high altitudes so neither of us felt like eating.  That night we were both sick and had the runs, not too much fun in a tent in the pitch black with not bathroom facilities close by.  I'm sure Bill was cursing me under his breath, but not once did he complain.  However by this point he had told me I was not allowed to pick the next vacation spot!

Pictures are rather scarce because we were both just trying to breathe and make it through.