Back from climbing Machu Picchu

Wednesday

The start of our trek. Didn't start on time as the mayor closed his office early on Tuesday to celebrate the holiday and didn't issue our permits. 8 of us finally got underway by lunchtime assisted by 10 porters, 2 cooks and a tour guide. First session was a gentle climb but the last hour was steep and we arrived exhausted.

The porters had the tents set up for us, and then produced dinner. Meals were incredible. One typical dinner was onion soup, chicken and cranberry sauce, scalloped potatoes, beans, brocolli, carrots, mulled wine, and chocolate mousse. Amazing thing was that the porters carried it all, as well as a dining tent, chairs, table, stove, gas cylinder, crockery, pots, lights and goodness knows what else.

Thursday

Up at 5am for our hard day. Climbed 3 hours to our first pass at 4200 metres. Altitude and lack of oxygen meant that we took a break to recover about every 50 metres. When we finally got to the top, we took the obligatory group photo then immediately descended 600 metres down steep steps to the river, which was just as hard going, for lunch.

After a break, we did it all again. Took us another 4 hours to climb up the second pass to 3950 metres then descend to 3600 to camp.

In all it took us 11 hours and the last of us almost crawled into camp as it was getting dark.

Friday

Up at 5am again for an easier day today - only one pass at 3900 metres which we had conquered by lunchtime. We spent the afternoon descending slippery rock steps back to 2600 metres which killed a few knees on the way. Arrived at final camp mid afternoon. Found a vendor selling warm coke, but felt half human again.

No showers, and squat toilets make camp fun after 3 days. Only 2 of us haven't had altitude sickness, dihorrea, or blown knees just to make it even harder.

Saturday

Up at 4am in the dark for our day at the ruins. Said goodbye to our porters, and took the relatively easy trail to the 'o my god' steps which you climb to get to the sun gate in time for sunrise over the ruins. Unfortunately it was cloudy so we couldn't actually see anything. After waiting for a while in a vain hope, we descended to explore the ruins for the morning. Staggering. No wonder they are a wonder of the world. Lots of day visitors as well as trekers so fairly crowded. The ruins were all built, inhabited and abandoned in 100 years.

Eventually took the bus down to the town for lunch, then a train back to Cuzco to a hot shower and bed.

I made it, and came out unscathed.

Very satisfying and worthwhile, but most people thought it was the hardest thing they had every done.