Inca Trail--Day 1

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

     Breathtaking, the one word which encompasses the entirety of our 4-day hike through the Andes Mountains.  There were times in which I did measure the number of breaths I took.  Why?  Two things:  One, because one month of training probably wasn't enough, and two, because I was afraid my body would just choose to stop breathing, give up, throw in the towel, end the pain right now.  Thankfully, there were many moments that did take my breath away (not related to extreme physical exertion).  I caught myself simply smiling at the splendor of just being there, surrounded by mountains, engulfed in clouds, and walking on a 15th century trail.  I constantly felt myself gasping at the beauty surrounding me.  In every respect, this trek was absolutely breathtaking.

     Day 1 was composed of the remnants of acclimation sickness, the last real toilets we would see for 3 days (seats amiss, but I was still happy with these thrones), and a simple warm-up hike, about 6 miles, in preparation for day 2 (the worst physically....and mentally).  I, personally, had serious nerves about being the only female to not have hired an extra porter to carry my crap; however, it was well worth it in the end.  Now when someone asks if I am capable of doing something, I simply say that I hiked the Inca Trail with 20lbs on my back.....yes, I can do anything!

Early morning, bussing to breakfast and then to our starting point at km82 and at a height of 2600m.

All clean, pretty, and smelling great.  Wait for group picture, day 4.  We knew everyone except the two Australians in our group....but it felt like we were long lost amigos!

Trail begins this way.  This is your last chance to yield a taxi (horse)?

Holy moly, now there's a view.

Getting pointers on how to chew coca leaves, used to reduce acclimation sickness.

Donkeys were allowed on the trail on the first two days (by day 2, I believe my fellow-trekkers gave up on avoiding stepping in their excrement).  Porters, also known as chaskis, were allowed to carry a maximum of 50lbs.  This guy was given the task of carrying part of our tent.....or something (I'm no engineer).  During Inca times, chaskis were messengers carrying information from one location to another (UPS or FedEx is probably slower than these guys....and sandals were main part of their uniform).*

Serenity.....now.

I named her Tina.

Classic Inca scenery with the ruins and the corn.

Beauty at its best.

The foliage changed throughout the day (and the entire trek).  Cacti were frequent visitors in the beginning.

Pdub posing for his awesome wife.

Manny, our guide, pointing out an insect that when smashed produces a red ink, used for dyeing clothing and coloring lips.

Loved this picture!

Bridge over troubled water never stopped me.

Well lookey at that gorgeous couple....Ignore the sweat and large thing on my rear.

Wayllabamba at 3000m high.

Big lens time, unreal.

Blue skies, ruins, and some perty foliage.

I loved these little plants.  So colorful!

Trekking!!!*

Lunch time!!!  Yes, our porters carried all of this for us.  They were in charge of everything except our personal items, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags.  Those who hired an extra porter got to take a load off....no, really.

At camp the first night.  The conquistadors obviously made it this far with their horses and churches.  The people living in this village depended solely on donkey transportation as there were no roads (for cars) linking this city to any others.*

Apples to Apples, a little added weight to the pack for some added fun at camp.*

Our tents on the first night.  The ground was slightly angled, so that made for interesting sleeping.

White-capped mountain in the distance from our camp.*

*Pictures taken by other members of our hiking family.