Monthly Archives: May 2013

I thought this was a type of orchid, but Ramiro corrected me and told me it was a lady slipper.  It was about 1 1/2 inches long.

At this pass, we had a ceremony to thank Pachamama (mother earth) for everything she provides and ask for a favor.   We had carried a small flat rock up from the bottom and Ramiro, our guide placed 3 coca leaves at … Continue reading →

My cheering brigade.  As I approached the summit of Dead Woman’s Pass I heard ‘Barbara!  Barbara!  Barbara!’ being chanted.  Then they did the wave hand in hand.  A lady who was hiking up said ‘How can you not continue when … Continue reading →

This was a spot, like a hostel, where weary travelers could spend the night.  the last picture is a small separate building below the rest where the lodge keeper would have lived.

The rule in Machupicchu province is ‘what goes down must come up’.  Every time we headed down, we all knew it just meant we would have to go back up.

At the top of Dead Woman’s Pass – a lowly 13,776 feet above sea level.   the last picture is looking back at the pass – can you see the profile of the woman lying down?  This profile is where the … Continue reading →

With my trekking family at the top of Dead Woman’s Pass where they waited for me so we could take our second family photo.

Not our porters, but a team that all walked together and rested together – here they have just passed us and are lining the trail for a brief rest.  These guys were incredible to watch – they marched steadily and … Continue reading →

This was the first toilet we encountered on the trail.  As I came out of it on that first morning, a lady looked in and said ‘oh, I can’t do that!  I will wait.’  Not sure how long she waited, … Continue reading →