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Nightbus again, arrived at 6.30am, headaches all round and Sarah dry heaving into a plastic bag! The altitude had given us a nice welcome. Arrived at our great hostel (Churup) and somehow managed to get a triple room for dorm price! and then on the second night got a double room at dorm price! Lucky lucky. We spent the first day in bed, recovering from the night bus and dealing with the altitude. The second day, my birthday!!!!! was spent eating cake, and also went to the thermal baths. We were quickly surrounded by a group of 11 & 12yr old school children who were very interested in the gringo`s. I was sung happy birthday to in Spanish and English by the whole pool. Finally after almost 6 weeks I skyped my mum and dad. (2 hours later and the team talk was over)
We decided to book a 4 day hike, after much persuasian by Hannah. The Santa Cruz trek! Amazing views and sights, but very hard work. Starting at 3700m and reaching 4750m!
Day one started at 6.30am when we were picked up from the hostel, by 9 we were hiking up hill, 5 hours to camp! The first 2 hours was difficult but it flattened out after lunch. Our first night was freezing!!!! and a shock to the system having to use a poo tent. 4200m
Day two....again 6.30am start, but this time woken with Koca Tea at our tents, which slightly warmed us by not much. Day two was more steady and flat, until we reached a point where you could either carry on to camp, which was 2hours, or put an extra 3hours onto the already 5hour day, and go to see an extra lake and Paramount Mountain (you film buffs will know what this is). Night two was just as cold as night one, except we got hot water bottles!! 4400m
Day three....guess what time we got woken up again, 6.30am. I loved getting up early. Today was the day we climbed to our highest point, and experienced the most spectacular views! Very hard work though, sometimes it felt like you couldnt even lift your legs. I rewarded myslef by having the most high altitude outdoor poo ive ever had, very satisfying, especially with the view! We again opted for a harder route; walking down black ski slopes, scrambling up rocks with steep drops on the other side, making your own paths across the hill side; which is why not many groups take this option, but again you get to see views that very few people get to see. A reward waiting back at camp was a nice cold beer! Sold to us by a local woman that only brought 4 beers with her to sell, its a good job we were 1 of the first 4 back! 4750m
Night three, and the last night, was the warmest by far and everyone slept amazingly well. Probably due to the tough day.
Day four was mostly downhill, but still difficult. We passed through a few small villages on the way down, they only got electricity 2months ago! The children dont go to school as the nearest is 4hours away so they learn to live as their parents do, growing their food, raising animals, and trading at the nearby markets. We went down to 3400m where we waited for 2hours to be picked up, before taking a 5hour bus journey back to Huaraz.
We had a great group that made the experience even better, learning new card games from Kat & Trina from Denmark, trying to keep up with Nick the machine from England, learning La Tarrot card game from the French and having a potent tipple form Radin the Czech bloke. We were also amazingly lucky with the weather, sunshine and clear skies for 4 days, cant complain!
Definitely one of those moments that you travel for, and will remember for the rest of our lives! (Sarah has only just forgiven Hannah) x
- comments
Morgane Amazing! <3 Love you xxxx
Hannah Love you too! Xx
sarah you just look like you are having the time of your lives. This blog and the photos look beyong amazing! Cant wait to hear all about your adventures. love you, lots. xxxxxx