Journey Man

Today is really going to be more about the photos than anything else. Hiking the mountain that I hiked today at Machu Picchu was very technical in both its acsent and descent and therefore, I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think of anything other than what I was doing.  A link to details about the mountain and trail will be included at the very end for your enjoyment and reference.

Woke to rain at four am.   Reconsidered everything about how today was going to look and what I was going to pack.  Packed up.  Cut a small opening in the top of my waterproof backpack cover that I had ordered for this trip so that I could slide the strap of my shoulder bag through it and protect it from the rain. Bought a poncho on the road.

I don’t know if you remember me saying that the lady who sold me the bus ticket recommended I get there around 4:00 or 4:30 AM, because that’s when the line starts to form.  That sweet lady who I thought was offering me a bit of inside  information must have told everyone about the time to line up.  With several hundred people in front of me, I find some shelter from the rain and begin my wait for the 530 buses.  The rain stopped while I was waiting in line, the sun came up, and the fog started to lift. I boarded the bus and left at 5:30 as planned.

The bus carrying my fellow would-be adventurers and me arrived at Machu Picchu and I made it through the entrance and to the gate where you begin the hike up that iconic mountain by 620, where I must wait until 700 to enter.  Then, it’s a choice between a two hour hike to the mountain peak and back or do an entire loop which is four hours.  I’ve got a Snickers bar and two bottles of water.  I choose the loop.

Forty minutes into what is one of the most amazing climbs I have ever done, I reach the peak.  The climb consisted of a series of stairs going almost completely vertical at times with heavy steel cables tied into the rock face to hold on to. The wet and slick surface made caution paramount. I was among the first few people to arrive at the peak after which we were joined by the remaining 200 participants who were lucky enough to gain entry to this hike today.

Somewhat disappointed, there was so much fog we could not see the ruins.  I hung around and got some photos and helped take some photos. It’s at this moment that I realized how much I miss my boys.  I tried to call them, starting with my youngest, hoping that maybe he would be awake. I got his voicemail and left as good a message as I could.  I was having a difficult time speaking since I was thinking of those guys sitting up on the hill with me.

After staying up on the peak until about 830, in what was once an outfit reduced to a T-shirt and some shorts, weather came rolling in and I had to put on a pullover and a rain jacket and a hat. Later in the day, after retiring from the hike and hiking back to my hostel, I would end up having to use everything I packed, including my forever pants.

The hike continued, and turned out to be even more grueling and than the initial ascent.  I made my way around the mountain to the Grand Cavern, in which you will see me seated on a carved out bench of sorts.  I met a French couple who offered me some cake.  I happily accepted  because it was at that point I had just devoured my Snickers bar.

Once back to Machu Picchu, I finished touring the grounds.  I made my way to the snack shop with an open air dining area overlooking the ruins.  I refueled for my journey down the mountain by foot.

Turns out, I was looking forward to the hike down and was planning to use the road as it makes a series of smooth switchbacks and takes 2 1/2 hours.  This is the same road I would be sharing with all of the bus traffic. As I was making my way out I saw a trailhead for a trail that instead, went almost straight down the hill and should take only an hour.   Still up for a challenge I choose the vertical descent.

Now, I’ve always enjoyed bounding down stairs or hills, whether it’s in a race, or just for the fun of it.  Going down these large stone steps one by one without bouncing down them is very difficult, but it seems to be the right thing to do.  That was until I saw an old Peruvian man bouncing down the stairs, one by one, running almost.  As I was resting, I saw two other young boys together dancing down.  Followed by another couple of Peruvians and pretty soon I decided to test the theory that these locals may know best.  Grabbing my bag from off my shoulder, I started jumping down the steps, one to the next, and found that it was so much easier than trying to walk down the steps. And more enjoyable too.

At the bottom, I crossed a rope bridge over the river and joined the road that I had walked twice already to get back to my hostel.  It was raining for my walk back so I was mostly wet by the time I returned.  The first order of business was a hot shower and then a nap.  Up from my nap, I will post this blog and then the plan is for dinner and maybe to see if I can wash some of my clothes.  The washing of the clothes may be a necessity at this point.  I’m out of clean underpants and I have one pair of socks that are clean. I bent over to untie my shoes when I got back and I was greeted by an extremely unpleasant smell.  I realized that this odor is either emanating from my pants or from the bedspread. I really hope it’s my pants.

Tomorrow marks a significant part of my journey.  This is the point where I am no longer exploring.  I am no longer goal oriented and looking to reach my final destination.  I have reached my destination and I am satisfied.   I have found a lot more than a mountain and some 600-year-old ruins.

So tonight I will celebrate and tomorrow I will begin the journey home. Home is still three days away and I’ll make the most of every moment that I have here, but I am homesick, my friends.

Until I see you again……

If you look closely at this last picture and zoom in near the top you’ll see some climbers. That’s where I was.

A Guide to Hiking Huayna Picchu