Machu Picchu @50 Day 4

October 14, 2017

I slept in until 830...and I needed it so much. I was wiped out from the previous day. My calves hurt muscles and not very red bug bites. A hot shower helped but showed me even more how sore I was.

I texted the girls and headed to get some breakfast as I was at a severe deficit. Top of the hotel, breakfast with a view consisted of yogurt with fruit, eggs, banana bread, and juice.

We decided to try to get some oil that we were told about last night as it was supposed to help with altitude difficulties. The weather threatened rain in the afternoon and t was cooler but short sleeved shirt was my start with a long sleeve to go over it it became cooler while hiking. Packed up for the day, we set out briefly stopping for water and a snickers.

Approaching The bus stop, the line was very, very, very long. I went to get in line while Naitro bought tickets and then went looking with LaTrice went looking for the oil.

The odd thing was 10:15 and the busses were not running. No one was going anywhere.

As we needed entry by 11am, I was very worried. The busses started running at 10:30 but it was 10:45 before we were MP bound. The driver was driving very fast...dangerously fast but we did arrive at 11:05. We arrived to find the entry line to be very long. There was no way to pass the group Waiting for 12pm entry. At 11:15, they started letting people through.

LaTrice had decided to go to the rest room, look for the oil in the gift shop, and the meet us at the base of wayaunapicchu mountain. We all took a hit of the oxygen shot and they went our different ways.

I got through the gate first...no trouble, and Naitro followed shortly behind. We walked quickly to get to the turn off bypassing the bridge so that we could get to the housing structures with recreated roofs across the site, on the way we asked directions and were told that we could not hike. That was all I needed to rile me up, I explained that the busses were not running again until 10:30 and there was no separate line for us to quickly get through to arrive by 11am so if they were going to have that hour window, they should ,are provisions to assure these pass holders can get in and to the entry by that time. He said to go ahead. That’s right...how could he argue,

We walked quickly and made it to the base entry post at 11:30. The entry side was close and only the exit side was open. I approached and handed my ticket to the ranger to have him deny my entry. After explaining to him as I had to the other park attendant, he was stuck on the ranger beginning the descent at 12:00. So I asked to be allowed in to hike for the time that we had, wherever that would take us. He said we could if we turned around when we reached the ranger. We could not go passed him. I agreed and he let us in. He took our passes but did not let us sign in.

Whoohoo!!! I had done it.

We came to a fork in the trail where there were two women sitting, we asked which way. They explained that the right was the higher mountain and the left was the lower one. They said that the lower one was about a 20 minute hike and actually had better views. As that sounded like something we could attempt...we headed to the lower mountain of Wayaunapicchu.

We zig zagged up the steep rough rock steps stopping for views and photos at every turn. Soon we were high enough to see out to the greater mountains beyond, the cloud were low and a mist moved across also. It looked ominous and as I had seen the forecast for rain. I continued and hoped for the best. Higher and higher we went and the views just kept getting better. Every time we thought about stopping, I’d go a bit further and the view would be even more exciting. At one point there were no small rocks to climb and a knotted rope was anchored above and quite excitedly I went up the steep rock face. I had Naitro take a pic as this was awesome. She was not as excited so I talked her through it and she conquered the rope!

Not to much farther up we reached a plateau with an outcropping. This spot had the most wide sweeping view of the site and 180 degree Andes views. This was a wow moment. We stopped to take it in. This is what I came to experience. I was peaceful...calmed mind.

Naitro said that she was happy with the climb and was stopping. I decided to go up to the next level and would stop after that. I ascended about another 20-30 ft to find...the peak. I yelled lit to Naitro to come up, there was something exciting, as she rounded the corner...I told her that we’d made it and I stood on the peak.

We were very excited to have achieved this even if it wasn’t the taller mountain, it had been a very enjoyable adventure. Two climbers came shortly and we asked them to take our pic at the peak. The were kind enough to do so and we marked the moment.

They would be returning to Cusco so I gave them our restaurant recommendations and started the climb down, it went quickly, stopping for some shots of these amazing red flower they also had equally red stems...almost neon. I repelled the rope first and helped Naitro down. She decided sliding down felt safer...and she made it. She’s a little daredevil at conquering her fears.

We got a bit mixed up at the bottom and accidentally started up the taller mountain. We quickly figured this out after some hiker coming down confirmed that we needed to turn around.

Following them out, we thanked the ranger and he gave us our tickets back. Again..don’t give up...just because it’s not easy. 😃

It had now started to sprinkle which quickly turned to rain, we sought shelter in on of the covered shelters just outside the mountain hike’s base. We had our snickers and some fluids before heading out again. It had gotten harder but we needed to get to the gate and find LaTrice.

As there were mostly group and few individuals, the walk was agonizingly slow. Aarrgghh! We ran ahead anytime the path widened but as we were still making our way through the maze of the site...slow was the pace,

Finally we reached a split where we could break away. At the entrance, I headed for the bus line and Naitro went in search of LaTrice. The line was so long.

I was behind a group that had just finned the Inka Trail and also hiked the mountains today, they had hiked over the ridge to the site and had been up for over 12 hours (it was now 1pm).

Naitro came back after about 20 minutes and hadn’t found LaTrice. The line continued its snails pace, I had great conversation with a couple of the Inka Trail hikers so the time didn’t seem to drag. Finally I see LaTrice and call her over, I explained what was going on and to just stay with me. Naitro would eventually return. She had been limited in her access due to the ticket and then was stuck trying to get out in the rain with the visitors to the larger area of the park.

Finally Naitro arrived and at about the 1hour mark, we boarded a bus for Aguas Calientes. This was another feeling of accomplishment. The ride down was even more harrowing as the road was muddy now. Getting out, in the town center, we headed to the hotel for a break. We passed a restaurant where some delicious pizzas were being eaten. That would be our late lunch.

A 30 min shower and freshen up break and we were on our way. The rain had stopped and the clouds had lightened a bit.

Jesus outside the hotel and across the train tracks, a protest was taking place. Hundreds of local with flags and signs were united in sharing their need for more busses for the people and at a price they can afford. The busses serve the tourists and the locals get left out as they don’t serve there transport needs and at $12 a ride, it’s unaffordable. LaTrice yelled out in solidarity.

The pizza choice for lunch was a good one as everyone ate all of their pizzas. LaTrice and I Tried different versions of a local drink, Pisco. I had one with passion fruit and she had one with Peruvian chili. They were flavorful and festive. Thanks to my friend Tess for the recommendation.

Off to the market to look over the goods for sale. There were the usual T-shirt’s, caps, shot glasses, and key rings. There were also items made from alpaca both cheap and luxurious, pottery, leather goods, paintings, carved gourds, and in one shop, painted masks. We ended up with a leather backpack for LaTrice, a carved gourd for Naitro, and a painted for me.

It had been raining very hard and after a brief break to wait it out we ventured out and across the “lock”bridge across the river. We stopped in at a cafe for coffee and dessert. Th chat for the eve centered around our time working together in Atlanta. As a group we seemed to have kept up with most all of our coworkers. It was good to share this with each other. It is special that we have this bond. I never worked anywhere else where this has happened.

On the way back, LaTrice decided to get a massage - $35.Naitro snd I continued on to the hotel and called it a night. We were beat.

I packed and then got into bed to write and look over the adventure that was my day.