August 25th, 2024
-
- Climbing out of Pacamayo camp on the way to the second pass (Dustin Balderach)
-
- The ruins at Sayacmarca (Eric Simonson)
-
- On the Inca Trail to Phuyupatamarca (Eric Simonson)
Tyler checked in on the sat phone to report that the team had a nice day of rugged hiking along the crest of the Inca Trail, traversing countless stone steps along the way. This gives a whole new meaning to “following in the footsteps” of the Incas! Their trek started with a steep climb out of the Pacamayo Camp (11,808′) to the second pass at Runkuracay (12,470′), then bumped up and down along sides of the ridge to the ancient sites at Sayacmarca (11,726’), Phuyupatamarca (11,930′) eventually to the 3rd camp at Winayhuayna (8,660′). Tomorrow the team will get up early to reach the Sun Gate at dawn, before descending down into the famous Machu Picchu citadel.