August 11, 2012

On the trail.

Peter Anderson called in again today to report that all continues to got well!

They crossed Dead Woman’s Pass today (~13,700ft) and despite the name of the pass, it was a perfect day on the trail. All are healthy and looking forward to ‘more of the same!’.

We’ll hear from Peter again in the next few days – it can be hard to get a satellite phone call out in the trees, but as always, no news is good news.

Tye Chapman

August 10, 2012

Group learning about the ancient cave site of Quenco overlooking Cusco. (Peter Anderson)

Peter checked in yesterday after another perfect Peruvian day! They spend the day touring the Sacred Valley and stayed at an old church hotel.

They’re ready for the trek to officially begin. Today they’ll log 6-7 miles. The weather is good and the team looks strong.

Tye Chapman

August 1, 2012

A glimpse of the trail to Machu Picchu

IMG guide Peter Anderson just called in with the evening report. The team successfully crossed Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point on the trek and is now resting comfortably in camp. Peter says the team has a late lunch and is stuffed! The cook for their trek is doing an excellent job. The sat phone connection was dropped after this information exchange, so we’ll wait to hear from Peter again at the end of tomorrow’s trek.

George Dunn

Update:  August 2, 2012

IMG guide Peter Anderson called with an update on the Machu Picchu trek. They are in the middle of today’s hike, standing at the top of the third and final pass of the trek. Peter called from this highpoint knowing he would have better satellite phone coverage here. The high mountains sometimes obscure reception. Peter reports it is a spectacular day today. From where they stand, they can look all the way down the valley to the town of Aguas Calientes where they will end up in one more day.

Tomorrow, they will have one last 2 hour hike to Machu Picchu where they will spend the rest of the day sightseeing. The whole team is looking forward to this with anticipation. The team is healthy for the most part with just one case of “Tourista” to deal with . All are happy and doing just fine.

George Dunn

July 31, 2012

IMG guide Peter Anderson called in from the July 28-August 6 Machu Picchu trek. The team completed their first day of the trek and all are resting comfortably now, ready for a good first night of sleep in tents!  Peter reports the team had an excellent trout dinner tonight, and played some cards after dinner.

It sounds like all have adjusted well to the pattern of the trek so far, and they’ll continue up and over Abra de Huamihuanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) tomorrow. This is perhaps the toughest day of the trek and we’ll be wishing them a good day on the trail.

George Dunn

July 23, 2012

Machu Picchu

7/21 IMG guide Kelly Ryan reports that all is well as the Salkantay trek draws near completion.  Kelly and two members hiked over the llacapata pass today. Kelly reported absolutely stunning views of where the team had come from, Salkantay, and where they were going, Machu Pichu, from a clearing near one of the Inca sites on the trail. They enjoyed the cool morning air on the climb up the old inca trail and saw large flocks of parrots, coffee and bannana farms, and great views. The rest of the team opted on a  a slower morning and breakfast before heading  on a shorter option out. The entire team will meet up again  for lunch and the train ride to Aguas Calientes.

7/22 The group is all back safe and sound in Aguas Calientes and ready to say their goodbyes to their local lead guide in the morning.  Two members and the guide got up early to catch the sun rise and climb Machu Pichu Peak. They were the first ones to the top and had the summit to themselves for a while. The rest of the team headed up later and met up with the others for a great tour of Machu Picchu. The afternoon was spent checking out the markets and eating lunch in Aguas Calientes. One member tried guinea pig and reported it tastes like chicken…..sort of.

The team will be flying to Lima today, then connecting for flights back to the US.

What a great ending to a spectacular adventure!

George Dunn

July 19, 2012

Great days on the trail to Machu Picchu! (Kelly Ryan)

Kelly Ryan checked in from just below Salkantay Pass (15,180ft.) on their trek to Machu Picchu. While I couldn’t see it, I could hear the smile on her face! The beautiful views and amazing weather dampen the slight headaches they surly have. After taking a nice break at the Pass they’ll head downhill to about 14,000ft. to set up camp.

Tomorrow, they’ll switch ecological gears and drop into a warmer climate featuring some waterfalls, exotic birds and fruit trees. They’ll eventually make their way back uphill to an Andean community named Paltaybamba, where a bus will be waiting to transfer the group to their campsite in the small town of Santa Teresa.

All is well in Peru!

Tye Chapman

July 18, 2012

One of many views along the trek.

The group had an excellent first day in Cusco on July 16. Here is a report from guide Kelly Ryan.

“Hi George, the group enjoyed this afternoon’s perfect weather by exploring the ancient city. We were impressed by the historical layers of the city where modern day buildings are built on top of Spanish colonial buildings on top of perfectly crafted Inca foundations. We were lucky enough to see a parade in the Plaza de Armas. The evening was topped off by particularly good flan. This evening we did gear checks and only have a few items to find tomorrow. In the morning we will head to the Inca military fort above town, Sacsayhuaman, where stones the size of pickup trucks where moved by human power to build the defensive walls. We will then head to the famous Pisac Market.”

The team is enjoying their tour today, July 17 and will be in position to start the trek early on the morning of July 18. All is well.

George Dunn

July 16, 2012

Cusco at night (photo: Jason Edwards)

Guide Kelly Ryan reports that the entire team made it to Cusco with all bags intact.  They have a planned cultural tour this afternoon, will spend the night at a hotel in Cusco and then head off on their way to the start of the trek.

They have another touring and sightseeing day tomorrow in the Sacred Valley before actually starting the trekking part of the program.

George Dunn