Monday, December 3, 2007

Wed Nov 28 = Day 2- altitude 3880 meters

We meet for breakfast at 815, and plan to leave at 9A for another one of these ‘optional’ treks, this one up to the glacier lake. Javier promises we do not want to miss it, and this also is very important for getting acclimatized (the documents all describe this day as one to ‘relax and acclimatize’). So this is what it looks like:

These are really steep up-hills, and in some places there isn’t even pathway and we need to envision our own switchback trail to follow because you can’t go straight up. The mountain and glacier views are outstanding, I have never been in such a beautiful place. We even see condors flying overhead, a highlight of this entire trip (which also leads to many conversations about how we should be carrying dead baby lambs with us to attract more condors…this is an example of what happens to our brains at altitude). It takes about two hours to reach the top, and the lake. It is gorgeous, turquoise blue and a wonderful worthwhile sight. Some decide to walk around the edge to a smaller lake in the back that has some icebergs floating in it – seems like a good idea though about 10 minutes into it I realize even though it looks easy, the rocky path is not so simple. It’s a 45 minute detour during which it begins to spit rain.

We head down hill to the lodge, a bit hard on the knees and toes with the steep down hill. Thunder cracking towards the end, but we are back at Salkantay Lodge before the down pour. We have time to shower before a late lunch and then watch the hail come down as we dine on quinoa salad and a spicy beef stir fry. The afternoon is scooped up by local weavers showing their wares, a fortune teller reading coca leaves, a lesson in making pisco sours, and napping. Tomorrow is our big trek, and I am in bed early to be fully rested….

No comments: