First day of walking today. We are being really well looked after by our guide, Zac, the arrieros, Javier, Samuel and Fernando and Abraham our cook. A cup of tea was delivered at 7am to start the day along with a bowl of hot water to wash. This is deluxe camping! With the help or our crew, the only thing we have to worry about is walking.
There´s a bit nervous energy as we have a steep ascent ahead of us and its the first official day of walking. None of us really know what´s ahead but we´re keen to get going. Jade tells us that once we get through day 1, we´ll be fine for the rest of the trip. It was a climb to a pass of 4700 metres. This is the highest we have climbed so far. I found it really hard going - being out of breath and doing the equivalent of stair climbing is tough. I kept thinking of how great it would be for my butt and thighs - just think thighs of steel was our catch cry when it got hard. We are all challenged by the ascent and there isn´t much talking on the way up.
At the top however we are rewarded with our first amazing view - a lush green valley dotted with cows grazing. We stopped for a snack at the top to revive our energy (delivered to us in the morning by the indispensable Abraham) before starting a steeo descent towards the valley.
Vertigo sets in for me at the top of the pass and I warn everyone not to be alarmed if they see me sliding down on my butt... I´d just be clinging to my centre of gravity. We are all carrying injuries of some description and I have marvelled each so far that we make it without anyone slipping or doing any further damage.
As a team we fall int natural groups for walking; Zac and Jade, Lissy and Nat, Choloe and I. But this changes as does the terrain. There were only slight undulations through the valley and meadow for the rest of the walk rather than any steep ascents. Arriving into camp at Lagune Mitococha we are all feeling pretty satisfied. Only Lissy had any altitude sickness but even that is easing up.
How did I feel about today? As mentioned the steep ascents and resulting breathlessness was really challenging. My way of walking seemed to be to stop whenever I needed to reflll the lungs. I did however really enjoy the chats with each of my walking buddies - one thing I love about trekking. The possibility to really get at the heart of things with an extended period out in nature.