Peru 2008
MENCAP TREK PERU (May 2008 )
RAISED THIS TRIP £5,900
CUMULATIVE AND FINAL TOTAL £18,713
My final adventure for Mencap and the fundraising target was doubled … my wife Angela agreed to come with me this time!
In May 2008 we trekked the Inca trail in Peru, culminating in reaching the famous Inca town of Machu Picchu, a fantastic place and a great way to end my fundraising for Mencap.
The fundraising report for this trek is now on the ‘fundraising page’ using the link to the right. A few notes from the trip and photographs are below.
Click to enlarge (stock photo)
As with all the other trips, there were three challenges involved. First we had to raise £5,900 for Mencap, secondly we both had to get fit for the trip and do plenty of training walks, and finally we had to complete the trek itself.
Report and Photos from Mencap Trek Peru May 2008
INTERIM INFO – MORE DETAIL WILL BE ADDED SHORTLY
Day 1: London – Lima
We were met by the expedition leader Daz and transferred to a hotel where the ATD team gave an overview of the challenge ahead.
Day 2: Lima – Cachicata
Flew on to Cuzco (situated at a height of 3,400m). Took bus to the Sacred Valley for a short hike to our camp at Cachicata (2,910m). This was essential as part of the acclimatisation process.
Day 3: Cachicata – Soqma
Trekked to our overnight camp at Soqma (3,205m). The campsite was a small village football pitch and it was a very cold night!
Day 4: Soqma – Corimarca
The morning’s trek followed a relatively steep ascent, past dramatic scenery and a waterfall. We then reached the Perol Nyoc ruins (3,520m). After lunch, there was another steep climb to our camp at the Inca Terraces at Corimarca (3,740m). This is a very special hidden site, and Mencap groups are the only trekking groups permitted to camp here.
Day 5: Corimarca – Angascocha
Today was the longest and hardest day of the challenge. After a very early start, we climbed upwards over a long, steep, zigzagging route to Charca Huaylla Pass (4,395m). The climb then flattened out a little as we continued upwards until we reached the highest point of the trek at Chanca Chuco Pass (4,445m). From this point, the views of the surrounding snow peaks and the Sacred Valley below were spectacular. The weather was exellent. We then made a short descent to a much-needed tea and soup lunch. The afternoon was long, as we followed a rising and falling cliff path that descended steeply to a stream crossing. A final half hour climb took us into our overnight camp at Angascocha School, where Across the Divide has helped the local community by building small bridges. At this camp we had another very cold night.
Day 6: Angascocha – Camicancha
Today began with a long hard descent through a canyon into the orchid and humming bird habitat of Elfin Forest. We followed the line of the river as it descended towards the Sacred Valley until we stopped for lunch at Balconcillo, a natural outcrop that forms a fantastic viewpoint (3,365m). After lunch we continued descending into the Sacred Valley and to our overnight camp at Camicancha (2,960m). Temperatures were wamer now at night.
Day 7: Camicancha – Piscaycucho
Today’s trek followed the contours of the Sacred Valley. A relatively short walk took us to a eucalyptus forest close to Chillca Bridge (2,888m). Then in the afternoon we followed undulating terrain and passed through arid Montane habitat including Cactus forest. We camped at Piscaycucho ‘aka’ Kilometre 82 (2,736m).
Day 8: Piscaycucho – Aguas Calientes
After a short walk to the train station over the river bridge, we boarded a train for the journey from Kilometre 82 to Kilometre 104 of the Inca Trail. After checkpoint formalities, we climbed the Inca Trail to a waterfall and then trek onwards until we reach the ruins at Winaywayna. We had to pass through a second checkpoint by 2pm, which made for a challenging morning and early afternoon. After the checkpoint we cut across the back of Machu Picchu mountain before we finally climbed to the Sun Gate and spectacular first views of the ruined city. We descended into the ruins which took a further hour or so, and then took a bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes and a well earned meal.
Day 9: Machu Picchu – Cuzco
Today we had a chance to experience Machu Picchu as tourists! Absolutely spectacular and no photos can do it justice. In the afternoon bus and train returned the group to Cuzco ready for flights home.
Photos can be accessed through the FlickR link to the right of this page.
Thank you to all our supporters and sponsors. £5,900 has been raised for Mencap through our participation on the trek.
Training Hikes Undertaken in Preparation for the Trek
Training Hike 17 – The Blorenge
Sunday, April 20, 2008
A shorter walk today in terms of distance, about 14km, but a very steep climb up the face of The Blorenge from Abergavenny gave us a good work-out.
We set off from the car park in the town centre and walked out through Llanfoist, south, and then straight up the mountain. Scrabbling up the wet grassy slopes in the mist wasn’t exactly inspiring but it tested the legs out well and a cup of coffee on a summit always tastes better for the effort!
I’m told the views across Wales are spectacular!
We walked back around the south side of the mountain on a much gentler decline and got a good pace up to increase the average.
Location 17: Abergavenny – The Blorenge
Terrain: Steep woodland then mountainside paths
Weather: Damp, very misty
Problems: Mist meant poor visibility (see pic!)
Peak: 559m (1,815ft)
Time: 4hrs
Distance: 14km
Cumulative: 270km
Training Hike 16 – Llangibby Castle
Sunday, April 20, 2008
After a bit of a break we caught up a bit with two hikes this weekend in South Wales.
The first was from Griffithtown to Llangibby Castle. The castle (see this link for pictures and a history) is a bit ‘lost in the woods’ but well worth a visit. There is a certain romance about the place.
The walk itself took us from Griffithtown east around Llandegfedd Reservoir and into the woodland.
After visiting the castle we took a slightly different route back, but neither route was particularly challenging.
Location 16: Llangibby Castle
Terrain: Mixed quality paths, roads, fields, woodland.
Weather: Damp persistent drizzle
Problems: None
Peak: n/a
Time: 5hrs
Distance: 20km
Cumulative: 256km
Training Hike 15 – Coventry to Rugby
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Today we walked from Coventry city centre (the refurbished canal basin) along the Oxford Canal to Rugby. Obviously this didn’t involve a great deal of climbing, but the idea to day was to go for pace and distance over a solid 6 to 7 hours, which we did.
Thanks to very muddy towpaths our legs got a good work out!
The walk itself is not too difficult, but at 21 miles need to keep a strong pace up to complete in a reasonable time. Friendly canal boat people and a couple of short stops for coffee broke some of the monotony of this type of walk.
A good one for the summer I should imagine, with time built in for a canalside Guinness.
Location 15: Coventry – Rugby (Canalside)
Terrain: Mixed quality towpaths, mud made for some hard going.
Weather: Cool, dry, clear
Problems: Slippery mud in places, nothing serious
Peak: n/a
Time: 6.25hrs
Distance: 34km
Cumulative: 236km
(PS: pics above are from www.britishwalks.org)
Training Hike 14 – Brecon Beacons (Pontsticill)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Today’s challenge was to hike a lengthy haul for a second day. The walk took us from the pretty village of Pontsticill along the western edge of the Pontsticill and Pentwyn reservoirs and then north up to Graig Y Fan Ddu, a peak of 683m. This view is from that peak (click for full image). We then returned to the village along the eastern side of the reservoirs.
We covered a total of 16km in 5.25 hours, a faster pace than yesterday. In particular the return along the shoreline was to a very healthy pace as we tramped down the gradual incline alongside the mountain railway.
Not as challenging as the Pen-y-Fan trek yesterday, but it was good to cover a total of 30km over the two days of the Easter break.
Location 14: Brecon Beacons (Pontsticill)
Terrain: Road, woodland track, steep ascent on stone paths, boggy grassland, return along easy path beside railway.
Weather: Cold, snowy showers early, generally very clear
Problems: Bruised David’s pride from a fall on the path down the mountain
Peak: 683m (2,220ft)
Time: 5.25hrs
Distance: 16km
Cumulative: 202km
Training Hike 13 – Brecon Beacons (Pen-y-Fan)
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Our challenge Easter Sunday was to tackle the highest peaks in South Wales, and given the snowy conditions (see the pics) this was a real challenge. Fortunately we were well kitted out and managed the round trip of about 14km in 5.25 hours.
We started about a kilometer from the Upper Neuadd Reservoir, walking north to the reservoir and then across the dam. From there a steep ascent to the top of the ridge (Graig Fan Ddu at 642m/2,086ft) cracked a large part of the day’s climbing in one tough hit. We turned north along the edge where we were able to up the pace despite snow. Along here we had a great view of the three peaks we were about to hike, except for a 20 minute period when a freak snow squall reduced visibility to nothing.
Along Craig Fan Ddu (click for larger image)
David and snow squall coming in! (click for larger image)
After about 3km along the ridge Corn Du was the first summit with some great views in all directions, especially from the steep 1,000 ft cliffs to the north. We could see the whole of the days hike now in some beautiful clear weather (but cold!).
Corn Ddu and Pen-y-Fan (Click for larger image)
Pen y Fan (886m/2,900 ft) was next, the highest point in South Wales, a 800m walk from Corn Du. Again some fantastic views, we were really lucky with the weather. A tough descent followed (to about 660m) and then a sharp climb to the top of Cribyn.
Cribyn from Pen-y-Fan (Click for larger image)
From Cribyn a 5km descent of varying degrees took us back to the reservoir via a clear track.
Credit for the walk details goes to www.walkingbritain.co.uk
Location 13: Brecon Beacons (Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn)
Terrain: Wet grassland, stone paths, some scrabbling slopes, challenging due to snow
Weather: Very cold, snow showers, windy, but generally very clear
Problems: Spell of zero visibility 20 minutes
Peaks: 873m (2,840ft), 886m (2,900ft), 795m (2,590ft) respectively
Time: 5.25hrs
Distance: 14km
Cumulative: 186km
Training Hike 12 – Black Hill
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Well this was a bit more challenging, not least because of the gale force winds, ice cold, tougher terrain, and difficulty following some of the paths!
Black Hill, just to the South West of Huddersfield, is a bleak place. From a car park on the A635 (Wessenden Head) we followed the Pennine Way to the high point (Trig point 582m) against a headwind you wouldn’t believe. We couldn’t hear ourselves think at the top due to the wind – let’s just say we didn’t hang around for the sightseeing. Temperature was such that snow remained on the hill.
We tried to find the North-East bound path back up to the road but couldn’t locate it despite a good map and clear landmarks. Under the bog I expect until the drier season.
Back down the Pennine Way instead, we swung off to the right, dropped down Issue Clough and followed a good footpath north to join Kirklees Way which we followed back up to the road. Steeper terrain than our last few walks and also I suppose it did us good to face the bad weather. The winds were quite exhilarating in a way, and there were some great views across a very barren-looking landscape.
Location 12: Peak District (Wessenden Head – Black Hill)
Terrain: Moorland, Some stone paths, wet, steep areas, challenging due to weather conditions.
Weather: Very cold and very very windy!
Problems: Location original planned route NW from Black Hill
Peak: 582m (1891ft)
Time: 4hrs
Distance: 11km
Cumulative: 172km
Training Hike 11 – Warwickshire
Sunday, March 9, 2008
This week we walked locally again, from Harbury and making the return hike to Burton Dassett. We added a few km up and down the hill at Burton Dassett for good measure.
Location 11: Warwickshire (Harbury to Burton Dassett)
Terrain: Farmland, woodland, rural paths, climb to the folly, grassy hills
Weather: Perfect
Problems: None
Peak: 199m (647ft)
Time: 5hrs
Distance: 22km
Cumulative: 161km
Training Walk 10 – Cannock Chase
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Because of lots of other commitments this weekend, we were limited to 2 hrs 15m walking on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire. Neither of us had walked on the Chase before and we both thoroughly enjoyed it, it will be well worth a full days walking on the run up to the trek.
Location 10: Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
Terrain: Woodland, heathland, gentle hills, rural paths, occasional steeper slope
Weather: Perfect, dry and clear Problems: None
Peak: 209m (680ft)
Time: 2.25hrs
Distance: 10km
Cumulative: 139km
Training Walk 9 – Warwickshire
Sunday, February 17, 2008
This week we walked locally again, starting in the village of Harbury and making the return hike to Burton Dassett, where some beautiful views can be had across the Midlands. As you can see from this picture of Angela under the moon at the folly, the weather was beautiful and the sky as clear as I’ve seen it in the UK.
Location 9: Warwickshire (Harbury to Burton Dassett)
Terrain: Farmland, gentle hills, woodland and rural paths, final climb to the folly
Weather: Perfect, cold, see pic!
Problems: None
Peak: 176m (572ft)
Time: 4hrs
Distance: 19km
Cumulative: 129km
Training Walk 8 – Warwickshire Countryside
Sunday, February 10, 2008
This walk was at a very brisk rate, and though not challenging in terms of the terrain or climbs we certainly felt the pace in lower legs.
Location 8: Warwickshire countryside
Terrain: Farmland, gentle hills, woodland and rural paths
Weather: Perfect
Problems: None
Peak: n/a
Time: 4hrs
Distance: 20km
Cumulative: 110km
Training Walk 7 – Local Roads
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Location 7: Local roads (Warwickshire)
Terrain: Roads and pavements
Weather: Dry/cold
Problems: None
Peak: n/a
Time: 3.5hrs
Distance: 15km
Cumulative: 90km
Training Hikes 5/6 – Sugar Loaf and Skirid
Monday, January 28, 2008
This picture is of the Sugar Loaf, a peak in South Wales near Abergavenny. The trig point is 596m (1,937ft) and is a fair hike up from the town which is at just 65m.
Click on the image for a large picture.
On Sunday we covered two peaks in fact, as well as walking out to the Sugar Loaf which took about 4 hours (some steep paths, generally not too challenging, last tough piece of scrabbling to the peak) for the round trip, we also took a separate walk (after a short break) of about 1hr 45m up the Skirid, another nearby peak of 486m (1,580ft).
These pictures are taken on the top of Sugar Loaf and The Skirid respectively. The weather was absolutely perfect for walking and this area is beautiful, highly recommended for walkers of any ability. Click on the pictures for a full-size view of this stunning countryside.
Location 5: Sugar Loaf, Abergavenny, Wales
Terrain: Mixed, some scrabbling, generally good pathways
Weather: Superb, perfect
Problems: None
Peak: 596m (1,937ft)
Time: 4hrs
Distance: 11km
Cumulative: 68km
Location 6: Skirid, Abergavenny, Wales
Terrain: Tough initial climb, good pathways, very steep descent, muddy trail
Weather: Superb, perfect
Problems: None
Peak: 486m (1,580ft)
Time: 1.75hrs
Distance: 7km
Cumulative: 75km
Training Hike 4 – Kinder Scout
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Today we took to the Peak District again, traveling a bit further north to Kinder Scout near Glossop.
We completed a circular walk of about 15km which was our toughest yet, partly because the terrain is quite challenging, partly because of the high winds.
Half way round the circuit we came to Kinder Downfall. a 30m (100ft) waterfall. This picture shows the effect of the very high winds, the water was being blown back up the falls. Quite a spectacular sight.
The hike had started from the village of Hayfield. This is a well known tough walk, going up from the reservoir by climbing a steep path following a stream up to join the Pennine Way on Kinder Plateau. Here the winds were at their highest, all the way along to the falls. From the falls the hike climbed to 633 meters before dropping down steeply to farmland at Kinder End. An article about this area is at the Guardian website.
In hindsight, the winds made the trip a bit hazardous, but it was good fun and certainly stretched the calf muscles.
Pictured are Angela and Elizabeth just past the highest point, which is also the highest point in the Peak district.
Location: Kinder Scout, Peak District, England
Terrain: Steep streamwalking, hill scrabbling, rocky paths, moorland, farmland
Weather: Very high winds, misty damp, some rain
Problems: Hazardous winds on Kinder Plateau, some wet socks
Time: 5hrs
Distance: 15km
Cumulative: 57km
Training Hike 3 – Dovedale
Monday, January 7, 2008
This rather beautiful peak is Thorpe Cloud in Dovedale, and the climb to the top is steep!
Dovedale is beautiful and well worth a visit by walkers of any ability. Thorpe Cloud is a decent short tough climb up the northern path, rolling hillside back down the eastern side of the hill and around the valley, and a steep descent back down to the famous stepping stones. A much easier walk is alongside the river for 3 miles to Milldale and back, admiring the caves and unusual rock formations on the way. Today we did both, with the level part at a very brisk pace, covering a total of about 15km. No restaurant this time, just a rather windswept sandwich and flask of coffee on the hillside.
Location: Dovedale, England
Terrain: Riverside gravel from car park, steep rocky path up Thorpe Cloud, wet grassland around rim of valley, steep descent on slippery grassland, level well worn/laid path alongside river.
Weather: Clear, breezy, damp but no rain
Problems: None
Time: 5hrs
Distance: 15km
Cumulative: 42km
Training Hike 2 – Malvern Hills
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
January 1st, New Years, Day, and our second training hike, this time we were joined by our 17 year old daughter Elizabeth.
Today we drove to British Camp in the middle of the Malvern Hills and then walked north along the spine of the range to North Hill. We then dropped down the back of the hill into the town of Great Malvern for lunch before hiking back up Queen Anne’s Road to rejoin the trail near the Beacon and hike back to British Camp. We took quite a long break for lunch as the Abbey Hotel does a great range of sandwiches, and ended up getting back to the car in the dark. Better planning needed next time!
Location: Malvern Hills, England
Terrain: Undulating well used paths across rolling countryside
Weather: Clear, windy, damp but no rain
Problems: None
Time: 4.5hrs (excluding long lunch!)
Distance: 15km
Cumulative: 27km
Training Hike 1 – Mynydd Maen, Wales
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas is over, and today saw the ‘official’ start of our training and practicing regime for the Peru Trek.
Obviously, there’s no way we can acclimatise to 15000ft in the UK, but there are some beautiful places to walk, and some tough hills and mountains. Today though we started gently, with a four hour hike across the mountainside near Pontypool in South Wales.
The plan now is to walk at least once each weekend, quickly building up to more challenging and longer hikes.
Location: Mynydd Maen, Nr Pontypool, Wales
Terrain: Initial steep climb road/track then rolling countryside
Weather: Misty, breezy, damp but no rain
Problems: None
Time: 4hrs
Distance: 12km
Cumulative: 12km
David Head, May 2008
