Another Day On The Inca Trail

Day Three/ Still Camp Two – The rain refused to let up so fearless leader decided to stay put at the Runkurakay ruin. The good part was:

- We had a great cook… and

- This was the first trek we’d ever been on that toted liquor. Explore became “numero uno” in our book.

Had no idea there was liquor along until we heard a shout from the big eating tent…”hey, Steve and Sheila, come get ‘pissed’ with us”….’pissed’? Found out real fast that ‘pissed’ is Brit slang for ‘drunk’. The “kids” had already emptied all the wine bottles and were steadily working their way through the Pisco Brandy! They sure waited long enough to call us!

The rest of the day just flew by in an alcoholic haze, helped along with stashes of food, candy and other munchies.

Unfortunately, El Jefe, Chris, informed us at dinner that…there was no more Pisco Brandy…and we would now have to walk 18km’s and climb up and over THREE PASSES the next day to get back on schedule.

Day Four/Camp Three – First breakfast…

It was a dreary day, but not raining so we set off over the Runkuraky Pass, 13,100′. There was a multitude of eco-systems with jungles, vines and orchids all around us. The views were stupendous and did take your mind off the pain and agony (every now and then).

many orchids

Up over another pass…down Inca steps…up over another pass! Each pass took a little more out of us. Remember, ex-Marine and I were 56 and 55 years old, respectively… and our “kids” were in their 20’s and 30’s. We got slower…and s..l..o..w..e..r, but our “kids” sat at the top of each pass, cheering us on, and offering encouragement. They always worried about us, and kept asking “Are you all right?”

Some of the stepping stones on the trail were so big, that I had to climb up them on my hands and knees because I couldn’t physically get a leg high enough. (Pity the few behind me who got to watch my hindquarters, all the way up…..)

But everyone struggled on to Camp 4 at the Winay-Wayna ruins. Yeah! Big bonus camping here…a vistor’s center that sold beer! Amazing how quickly exhaustion can be wiped away by a cold beer! And I don’t even LIKE beer. Winay-Wayna is a small Inca city which was also abandoned for unknown reasons. A beautiful spot to camp.