“We’re climbing how high?”


I have to say, that first night of camping was COLD!  Even with the -17C sleeping bags, we were a bit chilly.  How do we combat this?  With gear!  My ears were starting to go numb, so I decided it would be a good investment to purchase a hat with some lovely ear flaps.  Katina had a “harf” (it’s a scarf that is hollow, so you can put it on your head like a hat and then wrap the rest around your neck like a scarf) which she had purchased when we visited Chinchero and learned all about weaving Inca style.  So we both were going to be nice and warm for our second day of trekking!

Toasty warm as we prepare to head out for day 2!
Toasty warm as we prepare to head out for day 2!

After a filling breakfast, our group got together to mark the kick off of our second day of hiking.  Though some of us were still tired (ok, I was still tired!), everyone was able to put on a brave face for the group shot!

Kicking off our Lares trek on day 2
Kicking off our Lares trek on day 2

Today was going to be a tough day of climbing, as we were going to be reaching our highest altitude – the Pachacutec Pass at 4900 m.  From our current location this would be a change in altitude of about 1000m!  Despite this daunting fact, we were raring to get going.

Partially because it was so cold!

And so, off we went following our fearless leader!

And...they're off!
And…they’re off!

We didn’t make it very far before we encountered our first locals at a small hamlet not far from our campsite.

Mamasita and her two children

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A little further on, our other guide Rony was able to pick up a baby lamb.

Rony had a little lamb...little lamb...it's fleece was white as snow...
Rony had a little lamb…little lamb…its fleece was white as snow…

and everywhere that Rony went the lamb was sure to go!

Where you find sheep, you often find kids!  It’s a strange correlation, but true!

IMG_1098 IMG_1099Did you see the footwear on these children?  We were feeling quite chilly in with our multiple layers, socks and boots…and most of the children we saw were wearing leather sandals and no socks.  They must have tough feet.

As we continued on our way, the way grew steeper.  Soon, we were able to only walk for 5 minutes or so before we needed to take a break.  It was very difficult to breathe…I felt like I just couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.  We were all feeling the shortness of breath.

But, the further we walked, the better the views got!

Still not at the top!
Still not at the top!
Our cowboys with the safety horses.
Our cowboys with the safety horses.

We traveled with safety horses, just in case there was an emergency and someone had to be brought down the mountain quickly.  Fortunately, no one in our group had need of their services.  The girls were just happy to have more animals around!

Yay!  Horses!
Yay! Horses!

Up and up we went…

Phew...time for a break!
Phew…time for a break!

After a quick break, Katina and our two little mountain goats were off with Elvis again!

Leading the charge!
Leading the charge!

As we crested the next rise, we were rewarded with a fantastic rest stop…and an outstanding view…

What a view!
What a view!

At this point we had two great views.  The view from behind, where we had just hiked…

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and the view to the front…where we were going…

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A little bit further uphill…and we crested the Pachacutec Pass!

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So it’s all downhill from here, right?  🙂

Our group atop the Pachacutec Pass.
Our group atop the Pachacutec Pass.

Once we had all caught our breath, Elvis told us that being at the highest point in the trek was the best place for us to make an offering to Pachamama, the Peruvian version of Mother Earth.  He explained to us that being so high meant that our offering would be closer to the sky, and at the same time would still be touching the ground…directly connected to Pachamama.  Mikhaila did a post on Incan spirituality not too long ago, if you would like to read a bit more about it.

We walked on for a few more minutes to a small clearing where we would make our offering.

Leading the way...

Soon everyone had arrived and we began piling the stones.

Elvis said few words in Quechua and everyone placed three perfect cocoa leaves on the offering-rock.  After pouring some water as the final part of the offering we were complete.

Our group's offering to Pachamama
Our group’s offering to Pachamama

With a view like this…how could you not be thankful to Pachamama…?

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With renewed energy, we began our descent to lunch!  I felt a definite change in the group’s energy levels.  I’m not sure if it was all psychological since we had now passed the highest point of the trek, or if it was motivation for food!

They must have goat in their genes!
They must have goat in their genes!

After what seemed like a very short walk we arrived at our lunch spot.  Some of us were willing to forego lunch to catch a bit more shut-eye…

Power nap!
Power nap!

After re-energizing, we set off for the last part of our hike for the day.  Fortunately we did not have far to go, just another hour or so from here.  Everyone was in a great mood.  Weather was fantastic, we’d had a nice lunch and the scenery continued to be excellent!

On our way to our second night's camp
On our way to our second night’s camp

Our next camp site was at a small village along a bubbling stream.  I noticed that wherever there was a settlement of any kind – whether it was a single house or a village – there was always running water, a resource that is absolutely critical for the people’s survival.

A glacial waterfall and river leads us to our next camp site.
A glacial waterfall and river leads us to our next camp site.

As we approached the edge of the village we began to see some of the local people.

A little girl standing outside her rock-construction home.
A little girl standing outside her rock-construction home.

She was just standing there by herself, watching the tourist-parade go by.

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Further on we saw houses under construction.  Here’s a field where bricks are being made for the new home.

Village homes…

Before long…home, sweet home!  For the night…

Night #2...home sweet home!
Night #2…home sweet home!

And the welcoming committee/instant market was waiting to greet us!

After the previous night being colder than expected, we all stocked up on hats, gloves and socks, hoping that they would keep us nice and toasty warm for the night!

We didn’t last long.  After a delicious meal we all turned in for the night…it couldn’t have been later than 9pm and we were out cold.

So.  That was the hard day.  At least that’s what the trek pamphlet said.

Stay tuned to learn the truth!


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Comments

2 responses to ““We’re climbing how high?””

  1. Awesome photos, as always. The mountains are a bit like the Drakensberg range in South Afrika but I don’t think that anyone has climbing adventures there. The group that you went with seemed very organized. The picture of the little girl outside the stone house is amazing.
    This was the only picture that I have seen of Zoe where she seemed, how should I say … Unsure?

  2. Hi Oliver,
    I really enjoyed this blog, except that I am very cold. after following this amazing trek! The photos are excellent! It was really lovely to see how much the girls loved the baby lambs! Love, Mom P.

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