Killer Climb
We woke up the third day and packed up for breakfast. As we were eating a minor drama began developing outside. Our company had prearranged for transportation to the trail head. Another van had pulled up outside as we were finishing up and insisted we travel with them. Our guides told them no and eventually they left. The real van showed up and we began loading our gear. Luis left to get our train tickets for that afternoon and as we waited with Henry the first van returned. The driver started talking smack to Henry and insisting we pay him 3 Sols and ride with him. The tension escalated until he was physically trying to drag Henry away from our van. Things seemed to calm down and he walked away. Seconds later he was running at Henry and punched him in the face. A fight broke out in a matter of seconds and Adrial, Jammie and I piled out of the van. Adrial and I grabbed the two of them and broke up the fight. Adrenaline pumping we headed off to the police station to file a report before getting on the road.
More snags awaited us in the form of a bridge closure forcing a long detour and then a flat tire. Despite the troubles we made it to the trail head.
Our third day into the trip we faced our hardest challenge. We would face a 800 meter (2400 foot) climb up some of the steepest mountains we had ever seen. Although our guides assured us that the trail would be easy we steadily grew more and more tired. By the end of the second hour I was seriously low on energy and feeling like I would not make it. Fortunately we were close and after some steep and exhausting stairs we made it to the top.
Lunch and a well deserved rest. This half hour break recharged our batteries for the next 2 hour descent down the other side of the ridge line. Steep steep and more steep. Views of Machu Picchu in the distance as we descended past maize, coffee, yucca and jungle foliage. After the steep climb at first the descent seemed much easier but as the miles wore on our knees and legs began showing the strain. Our legs were shaking with each step and our knees began feeling the pain of the steep down hill slope.
Eventually we reached the bottom and only a short flat walk was between us and the train to Agua Caliente. After some food and the train ride we reached the last town on our trip and rested for our early morning departure to Machu Picchu.