August 25th, 2024

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.

August 24th, 2024

Tyler checked in by satellite phone to report that the team are doing well.  Today they continued their long steady climb out of the Urubamba River valley, ascending on ancient stone steps until they reached the famous Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,780 ft.  After a well-deserved rest break, the route then drops down into a basin where the Pacamayo camp is located at about 11,800 ft. This is a nice camp, but there is no easy way “out” from here, as you must ascend up over a pass to either go back or go forward on the Inca Trail!  Tomorrow the team will push forward over the next pass and then after that the Inca Trail slowly descends over the next couple days (with plenty of ups and downs) all the way to Machu Picchu.