August 25, 2010
Ang Passang called at 07:30 Nepal time this morning to inform everyone is doing well and they are on their way to Nyalam where the members will spend two nights to acclimatize.
Ang Jangbu
The new paved road on the way to Nyalam
A view of Nyalam town from the road
August 25, 2010
Machu Picchu from Intipunku (Photo by Eric Remza)
Phil called in to report all is well in Peru.
Today the walk on the trail came to a narrow flight of stone steps leading upwards into a small stone structure. This is Intipunku, and through the rectangular doorway, they could see the ruins of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku, a pathway led them directly to Machu Picchu itself, and a descent of over an hour took them down to the actual ruins.
It was a touch foggy but it burned off with the sunrise to give the team a beautiful day in the ruins. They’re all back at the hotel at Agua Calientes doing some last minute shopping. A celebration dinner tonight and they’re off to Cuszco tomorrow.
Tye Chapman
Ang
Zhangmu
Jangbu reports that the team reached Kodari border OK this morning. They had some delay between Barabise and Kodari due to a landslide overnight but managed to get through and did not have to switch to different bus on the other side. The team had lunch in Kodari while Raju and CMA staff did the custom & border formalities. Members reached Zhangmu (13:30 Nepal time) and Sherpas are on their way after loading up the gear on two CMA trucks– they should reach there by 14:00 (Nepal time). Once they reach Zhangmu, Kaji will buy fresh food items.
We had a message later from Mike Hamill saying that they were safely across the border with the whole team and all the gear and had met the Chinese Liaison Officer.  He noted that the border crossing is much more involved than it was in the past but all the paperwork was in order so it wasn’t a problem. They are all set to head up to Nyalam in the morning, and the road heading up the canyon sounds like it is clear, despite recent heavy rains.
Eric Simonson
Phil called in at 1:30pm Peru time. They were just crossing the third and final pass of the trek, ready for the big long downhill stretch in to camp for the night. The final leg today should take them just a couple more hours.
All are doing well and the weather is good. They are looking forward to Machu Picchu tomorrow.
More tomorrow…
George Dunn
Hiking the Inca Trail.
Phil called in at 1:40 pm Peru time to check in. Everybody’s doing great. They just topped over Abra de Huarmihuanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 13,769 feet and are headed to camp 2 for the evening.
Tomorrow the trail climbs steeply up the opposite side of the valley wall, towards the second pass, Abra de Runkuracay, 3,998m (13,113′). After the pass, the trail descends towards a valley containing a shallow lake. Here, the trail changes from a dirt path to a narrow stone roadway, the beginning of the “true” Inca Trail. They’ll end the day at our camp at the high pass with a spectacular 360 degree panorama.
A great trip so far!
Tye Chapman
August 23, 2010
Ang Jangbu reports good news, we got our Chinese visas this evening. We have returned passports to the members along with a copy of visa to each member.
The container truck left Kathmandu at around 1:45 pm and reached Kodari 7:30 pm. Just talked to Danuru and Raju in Kodari–they plan clear customs before the rest of the team member get there around 10am tomorrow. Â The members are having group dinner right now at the Rumdoodle, and they are scheduled to depart 05:30 am tomorrow.
Eric Simonson
August 23, 2010
Ruins along the trail.
Phil called in late yesterday (they’re plus 2 hours in Peru) to report that all is well. It was a touch cloudy yesterday which kept the temps nice and cool. They enjoyed some Incan ruins along the way, a nice big lunch and a huge dinner in the evening. A great day all around.
Day 2 of the trek to Machu Picchu takes them up into the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains and over Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point along the Inca Trail (4200m/13,800ft).
Tye Chapman
August 22, 2010
Indigenous woman along the tour. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
Phil checked in late yesterday afternoon to report that their weather has been perfect (lets hope that didn’t jinx them) for their tour of the Sacred Valley.
They spent last night packing and re-organizing their gear near the jumping off point for the 3.5 day trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Tye Chapman
August 22, 2010
Hotel Tibet is our home away from home in Kathmandu.
Ang Jangbu reports from Kathmandu that everyone has arrived on schedule with no missing luggage, which is always great to hear. IMG guides Mike Hamill and Max Bunce are now doing gear checks with the expedition members.  We will be collecting base camp duffels tomorrow morning and the sherpas will be loading the expedition gear into the truck at noon.  Then, four of the sherpas with the truck will leave for Kodari (the Tibet border town) tomorrow afternoon.
We have scheduled the group dinner at the Rumdoodle restaurant tomorrow evening and then the rest of the sherpas and members will leave Kathmandu early the next morning by bus for the border. Â Despite the recent heavy rains here the road condition is okay so far–no major landslides.
Eric Simonson
August 20, 2010
Some local Incan ruins in Cuzco. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
The day after tagging the top of Mt. Rainier on George’s 500th summit Phil took off for Russia. Two weeks (and a summit of Elbrus) later he dodged the forest fires outside of Moscow to make it back to the US but only stayed for a couple days before he jumped on another plane – this one headed for Peru and Machu Picchu.
Phil reported in this morning to say that all is well in Peru. Everybody arrived on time and with all their luggage – no small feat! They spent the day getting settled and acclimatized as Cusco sits at over 10,000ft.
Jaime showing the group some local Inca history during the tour of Cuzco. (Photo by Phil Ershler)
Tomorrow they’ll have an exciting cultural touring day. They’ll visit the local ruins of Sacsayhuaman on the way out of town then travel on to the Sacred Valley where they will tour the famous Pisak market, a good place to purchase local crafts and goods. And their last cultural visit in the Sacred Valley will be Ollantaytambo, which sits above the town in a beautiful setting. They’ll overnight in a hotel close to our departure point for the Machu Picchu trek.
Tye Chapman
