15.04 Salkantay Pass, here we come, day 2
A former religious icon of the Incas. Salkantay pass at 15,279 feet, the highest point we have reached, on foot. The interplay of clouds and mountains, real beauty. We were a little nervous about the second day’s hike for two reasons. Firstly, our fitness was below normal strength and secondly, we would be reaching an altitude of over 15,000 feet above sea level. The climb, cumulative gain, was well over 3,000 feet in a relatively short distance. It was daunting under those conditions, health and air pressure issues. Our editor, feeling the strain, and thinking of chasing after a few fellow hikers under the age of 30, did not sleep too well that night. Nevertheless, she handled the climb with aplomb followed by a descent of 6,200 feet to the next camp, the village of Chaullay, in a 13-14 mile hike. There are times when feeling humbled is uplifting—another such occasion. It’s fascinating to come across villages nestled in the mountains. Some comprise a few huts whi...