Day Four - Dead Woman's Pass

I woke up at 5:00am, 30 minutes before we were scheduled, so I quietly packed up my tent and then waited out by the mountain ledge for signs of the sun. At 5:30am exactly, I was handed a nice cup of hot coca tea and soon after enjoyed an amazing breakfast.

Today's hike would be 10 miles (16km), taking 9 hours in which we would climb and cross over two passes. The first ascent was as difficult as promised, with steep climbs, and rocky, jagged stone paths.

Inca Trail Stone Steps (Click to Enlarge)	Inca Trail (Click to Enlarge)	Our Destination in the Distance (Click to Enlarge)

This leg of the trek took about 4 hours, as we wound our way up the mountain. As we rounded each corner, I hoped it would be the last, but there was always more to come. The air was getting thin and my legs were burning, but I pushed on. Finally, I climbed a set of stairs and realized I had reached the top. I've never been so happy to see a red post, which signified the summit of "Dead Woman's Pass," so named because the series of mountains resembles the profile of a woman lying down. Relieved to have reached the highest point of our hike (13,800 ft or 4250km), I admired the view and waited for my group to catch up. The views of the Llulluchapampa valley from the top were outstanding and when the others arrived, we took some photos and enjoyed a snack.

Final Steps in the Distance (Click to Enlarge)	Summit of Dead Woman's Pass (Click to Enlarge)	Our Group (Click to Enlarge)

As we began the trek down, I quickly realized that climbing the Inca Trail was child's play compared to navigating the steep steps, often a foot or two drop between each. My knees took a pounding and pace slowed considerably.

Before long, we began our way up another mountain and reached the ruins of Runkurakay, which served storage structure for food, as well as a lookout point. Runkurakay served as a great viewpoint of the Pacamayo Valley.

Llulluchapampa Valley (Click to Enlarge)	Runkurakay Ruins (Click to Enlarge)	Runkurakay Ruins (Click to Enlarge)

After crossing another pass, we reached Sayacmarca, which means "town in a steep place." It is inaccessible on three sides by steep drops down to the jungle below. The site is reached by climbing 98 steep stone steps up the edge of a mountain.

Inside Runkurakay (Click to Enlarge)	Sayacmarca Ruins in the Distance (Click to Enlarge)	Sayacmarca Ruins (Click to Enlarge)

Finishing a very long day of hiking, we reached our campsite at Chaquicocha where we enjoyed Happy Hour, as well as another incredible meal, before turning in for a cold and rainy night.

 

Day Five