Thursday 30 August 2012

Onwards and upwards

5.30 Alarm call today.  Mixed reactions on the camping with reports of overnight sicknesses (not from the hospice crew), periodic and sporadic sleeping and general feeling of dizziness and light headiness.   Porridge and toast for breakfast .  We pack our gear, again not an easy task at altitude and head off at 7.30. 

Today's trek was over 7 and a half hours. We started out, up a shale pathway and a very steep climb and reached a summit of 4500m with incredible views across lake huillquicocha. 

Some massive relief after a very tough ascent and a great feeling elation and achievement marked by an excellent group photograph over the  lake.  The event was suitably marked as a magnificent condor flew overhead.

One of the downsides of reaching a summit is that you then need to climb down.  The tricky and very slippery descent was arduous in places and almost everyone had a few scares along the way.

We had a very impromptu photocall at a beautiful waterfall that dropped down over 100feet.  We also had a very close encounter with a pack shave of local sheep dogs which seemed to be over exuberant in guarding their territory.

Today's camp-site is in another local community slightly larger than the last and  as usual we are welcomed by the local woman and children trying the sell us their homemade wares comprising of hats, scarves and various knitted animals.

Dinner tonight was soup, chicken and rice followed by chocolate cake. Then lights off again at 9.30 as we have a 5.30 start and 8 hours trekking tomorrow. 

7 comments:

  1. Looks just amazing. Well done all . Take care on those down hill bits - hope the knees are holding up! Jane x

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  2. It must be amazing to think you are nearly, very easy for us to say with all our home comforts! What an achievement it all is and coca cola at lunch time- Graeme's fave ;-)
    We've got the welcome home banners at the ready- can't wait :-) Mhairi x

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  3. Well done to you all. I know from experience that trekking at altitude is no picnic!! Enjoy the rest of your trek, i'm sure reaching Machu Picchu will make all the hard work worth it. Everyone at the Hospice is asking for you and very proud of what you are all doing for our organisation. Take care and can't wait to hear all about it you when you get home. p.s. Carole - Megan sends you hugs and kisses xox (and me too!)

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  4. Twinnie....when you think you have reached the end of your rope.....tie a knot & hang on. What a truly inspirational group of people.... what you are doing will make a huge difference to others. So proud of you. Xxxx

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  5. Well done guys, scenery looks great. Every step & the discomfort of altitude sickness is for such a great cause. Bet by tomorrow you all feel fantastic & it will make the prize at the end so much better. Hope Gary Barlow that you are singing your way along & that Simon is sharing his whiskey! You have all raised so much! MAXIMUMMM REEESPECT! John & Kathleen x

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  6. Well done all for making it to Machu Pichu. Awoken last night to Aileen's exhilarated and celebrational txt. Awesome . As are pics. Well done Trekkies. Captain Kirk would be proud! Has been great sharing it with you. Happy downhills! Jane x

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  7. Well done to all of you. Aileen, been busy today hoovering and a wee bit of dusting!!!! Very proud of you darling. A well earned lazy day tomorrow. Love Gordon xx

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