It was another early morning for us, as our group met in the hotel lobby at 4:15AM. We scuttled our way across town to the bus line for the Lost City, and even at such an ungodly hour, we were still beat by several hundred people to the line. There was a palpable energy among … More Salkantay Hike Day 5: The Lost City
Low-landers, such as myself, are not made for thin air. Literally. The Peruvians who call the highlands their home have evolved to be able to live in such an unforgiving environment. They “have as much as 25 percent more blood that is more viscous and richer in red cells, a heart that is proportionately larger, and … More Salkantay Hike Day 1.3: The Fall
“Hiking: to walk or march a great distance, especially through rural areas for pleasure, exercise, military training, or the like” (dictionary.com) Prior to this Peruvian adventure, I mistakenly called myself a hiker. Looking back, the majority of ‘hikes’ I did in the States were tromps… at best. The Hike I was drunk on excitement, and also feeling … More Salkantay Hike Day 1.2: The Hike
Day one of our five-day hike went from one extreme to another at such a rate that it, quite frankly, confused and nearly killed me. We went from humid 80+ degree weather (F) to a blistery 25 degrees, from gentle paths to violent peaks, from feeling good and well to utter misery. So drastic was … More Salkantay Hike Day 1.1: The Drive
The Wild Rose 