Thursday, May 22San Blas, Cusco2.44 miles270′ ascent209′ descent It’s a fitful night of sleep. Struggle and unrest. No air. I’m out of breath. It’s gotta be the room. It can’t be the elevation because I was absolutely fine when I arrived nine days ago. I’m used to the early wake-up routine and try to force … More Cusco Zero
Wednesday, May 21Start: Aguas Calientes 6693′ (2040m)Machupicchu 7972′ (2430m)Huaynapicchu 8835′ (2693m)Via: Ollantaytambo 9160′ (2792m)Stop: Cusco 11,152′ (3399m)2.4 miles1,246′ ascent1,190′ descent 4:30 am wake-up, 5:15 am breakfast and 6 am lobby. Elizabeth, Ronnie (Elizabeth’s husband), Ian, Jane and myself all meet in the Hotel Tara Machupicchu lobby ready to check out of the hotel and store … More Machupicchu Day 6: Circuit 3 Royalty Route, Cloudy Climb To Huaynapicchu And Urubamba Train Ride
Tuesday, May 20Start: Phuyupatamarca 12,040′ (3670m)Via: Wiñaywayna 8694′ (2650m)Via: Intipunku Sun Gate 9005′ (2745m)Via: Machupicchu 7972′ (2430m)Stop: Aguas Calientes 6693′ (2040m)7.41 miles1,114′ ascent4,879′ descentO2 average 89%100% acclimated to 6939′ and fully acclimated to 7217′ In an effort not to have to get up in the middle of the night, I make a late trip to … More Inca Trail Day 5: Descent To Wiñaywayna Lunch And A Grand Entrance At Intipunku Sun Gate To Machupicchu
Monday, May 19Start: Llulluchapampa 12,407′ (3781m)Via: Warmiwañusca Dead Woman’s Pass 13,898′ (4236m)Via: Runquraqay Pass 13,025′ (3970m)Stop: Phuyupatamarca 12,040′ (3670m)6.82 miles3,398′ ascent3,868′ descentO2 average 87%46% acclimated to 12,038′ and fully acclimated to 6889′ I drift off to sleep just before 9 pm. I do my usual tossing and turning but sleep pretty well until about 2 … More Inca Trail Day 4: Salud To Warmiwañusca Pass, Yo-Yo Through Runquraqay, Sayaqmarca, And Phuyupatamarca Cloud Camp
Sunday, May 18Start: Paucarcancha 10,270′ (3130m)Via: Huayllabamba/Inca Trail 9,706′ (2958m)Stop: Llulluchapampa 12,407′ (3781m)~3.5 miles2,701′ ascent618′ descentO2 88%37% acclimated to 12,415′ and fully acclimated to 6233′ I sleep as well as possible and better than the night before. Our extra miles yesterday translate into a leisurely morning and I get to sleep in until 6 am. … More Salkantay Inca Day 3: Paucarcancha Ruins, Jungle Flower Parade, Joining The Inca Trail At Huayllabamba And Llulluchapampa Camp
Saturday, May 17Start: Ichupata 13.55274 S, 72.553491 W 14,768′ (4,502m)Via: Incachiriaska Pass 16,278′ (4962m)Via: Sisaypampa ~14,000′ (42670m)Stop: Paucarcancha 10,270′ (3130m)O2 average 81%11.65 miles1,633′ ascent6,036′ descent It’s always hard to fall asleep after a full day of hiking. I toss and turn and eventually fall asleep. I kinda wake up and work hard to convince myself … More Salkantay Day 2: Sunny Incachiriaska Pass And The Long Descent Of Pampacahuana Canyon
Friday, May 16Start: Soraypampa via Cuzco 12,361′ (3,850m)Stop: Ichupata 13.55274 S, 72.553491 W 14,768′ (4,502m)Acclimated to 4,429′ and O2@85%5.85 miles3,248′ ascent1,145′ descent I awake at 3:30 am, far earlier than body and mind are ready. I take my last shower for 5 days and pull the final threads of my shit together. Just after 4 … More Salkantay Day 1: Sweaty Humantay Lake, Chilled Terminal Moraine Lunch And A Pachamama Offering Ceremony
Thursday, May 15Start: Cusco, San BlasStop: Cusco, San Blas11,384 feetAcclimated to 3,281′2.61 miles walking tour293′ ascent277′ descent Despite falling asleep by 9:45 pm and not waking until 7:25 am, my Garmin watch tells me that my sleep was not restorative. My body stress levels are still high after all my travel. Even though I slept … More Cusco: San Blas Walking Tour + Trail Prep
Wednesday, May 14Lima to Cusco, Peru1.28 miles431′ ascent378′ descent After 4 flights and 24 hours of travel, I touch down in Cusco. I make a quick trip to the baño where you have to grab a square of toilet paper from the small dispenser at the door. It’s a small airport and my checked bag … More Cusco Land: San Blas
April 29 Day 1: Into The Windy Belly Of The Beast3.12 miles, 911′ ascent, 643′ descentApril 30 Day 2: The Romance Of King Peak And Spanish Ridge23.56 miles, 3553′ ascent, 6666′ descentMay 1 Day 3: The Early Bird Gets The Lost Coast Serenity18.71 miles, 3833′ ascent, 1080′ descentKing Range National Conservation AreaUnceded land of the Sinkyone, Cahto and … More King Crest Lost Coast Trail Gear List
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