Finally... december hike

“Okay Tara, one foot in front of the other… what have I gotten myself into?” I thought to myself. The first ten minutes weren’t so bad; actually I was enjoying our guideless adventure through the mountains of Peru to Macchu Pichu. Two hours later, still hiking straight up the mountain with at least another hour to go before our STEEP descent, and I was having second thoughts. If no map, no plans, no tent, and no guide weren’t adventurous enough, you can always add in the cable car ride “bridges” strung 100 feet above the Santa Teresa’s swirling rapids, trails covered in rock slides, and steep stone stairs with a thousand foot drop on one side and I am sure adventure might come to mind. But, there we were... four crazy S.M.’s on a wonderful vacation having, for the most part, the time of our lives. This three day adventure was only a short (although significant) part of our two week visa renewal trip.
Now, back to the part where I am huffing and puffing up an incredibly large mountain. Starting out was wonderful… the weather was great, the views astounding and the company most grand… then, we started going up. I mean REALLY up. Boy was I regretting not training! I never knew there was such a thing as steeper than steep. However, the view from the top was breathtaking and definitely worth the trouble, as was the feeling of physical exertion and the lovely backpack tan J. We continued our hike through parts of jungle, a very rocky beach, and a path cut through vines and bamboo with rock stepping stones over a swamp, until we reached the “bridge”. Now, if you would close your eyes and use your imagination for just a second… this bridge was a long cable reaching from one side of the roaring river to the other. Connected to this cable was a “cart” made of rebar and wooden planks. The cart was open on all sides with the exception of a rebar “safety rail” and it had just enough space to hold two medium sized people sitting cross-legged holding their backpacks. This was our bridge. The only means in which to cross the Santa Teresa river, a river that because of it’s huge boulders, whirlpools, and swift current, would most likely bring death to anyone brainless enough to try and raft it. Needless to say we all survived this exhilarating ride, even though being stuck in the middle waiting to be pulled (or pull yourself) to the other side is a bit worrisome, and then hiked another 45 minutes to the thermal springs.
After spending about 2 hours there we decided to finish our hike up yet another steep climb to Santa Teresa, a small but touristy mountain town. Although my mind and body were trying ever so hard to convince me to take the 20 minute bus ride with the other group instead of hiking, being as stubborn as we all are we decided to choose the 45 minute road hike half in the dark. Being thoroughly exhausted we thankfully found yet another good place to camp outside of town where we literally crashed. It was so gorgeous to wake up (freezing) at sunrise looking at the snow capped mountains and all the beauty around us. That day’s hike was a little different though, for there was no group to follow, just educated guesses along the “boulder beach” of the Santa Teresa. We alternated beach and road for about 4 hours before coming to a lunch stopping point. This hike wasn’t nearly as strenuous as the other although I felt at least equally as tired from the day before. Guess I wasn’t really cut out for back packing. After lunch was a 2 hour hike on railroad tracks. Talk about going crazy. Bar after bar after bar of wood on theses never ending tracks. Half the time covered by rocks or broken, this proved to be the most annoying and head hurting walking I have ever done. The scenery was amazing here as well, but not quite as worth the trouble. It really reminded me of parks in Tennessee with all the creeks, greenery and trees.
After reaching Aguas Calientes (the city at the base of Macchu Pichu) we finally got rid of our tiresome back packs and searched for a hostel in the pouring rain. To my directionally challenged self this little city seemed to be a maze of look-alike alley ways, none of which had a cheap and decent hostel. Eventually we prevailed and had the opportunity of hot showers for our VERY stinky and sopping selves after three days of rain and sweat with no baths or change of clothing. Such a relief!
Day three… up to Macchu Pichu. One hour up slippery and steep stone stairs with an elevation change of ??????? feet, yet again in the soaking rain. At least we weren’t sweating right? I can’t express the feeling of excitement, joy and contentment to know that we had finally made it to the top. Of course, after we reached the top we accidentally hiked up another ?????? ft. to a mountain actually behind the ruins thinking we were still on our way. An hour and a half later the fog cleared and down below us… way down below us laid the traditional Macchu Pichu souvenir shot. It was a wonderful secluded place for Sabbath worship, but more walking? Not so fun. None the less however, reaching the top and having my ticket stamped was such a wondrous feeling. I can only imagine how great of a feeling it will be when we complete the journey to heaven and have our names checked off in the book of life. This life’s road is much more difficult than my three day journey to Macchu Picchu could have ever been and the reward is sooooo much more than a silly mountain with some ancient ruins. No matter where this life is taking me and you, or the hardships it has in store, the end reward is worth it and we will know a joy indescribable. So, just keep on keeping on.