Packing for Adventure

On our second day exploring Machu Picchu, we again took the crazy bus ride to the ruins, but this time we were exploring on our own without a tour guide.

We had booked a time to hike to the top of Machu Picchu. In the old Incan language Quechua, Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain.” The view from the top is that of Huayna Picchu, or “Young Mountain” in Quechua.

At the entrance gate, we had to sign in so that the Machu Picchu employees could keep track of everyone on the mountain to ensure everyone returned safely. They told us to expect it to take 2 hours to get to the top and 1 hour to get down. There were people zooming past us like they were trying to beat the quoted time. We paced ourselves, our legs needed it!

We were very happy to make it to the top. There were people up there from all over. We met a couple from Michigan and a boy from Ecuador.

This day happened to mark the 5-year anniversary of the day we met (not the day we got married). I can’t think of a better way to celebrate!

A quick note about Huayna Picchu: I learned about Huayna Picchu too late – you have to get tickets months in advance as they only let a certain number of people on the trail at a time as it is a dangerous trail. The hike features the “Stairs of Death.” I really wanted to do it!

Machu Picchu is higher than Huayna Picchu, but less steep. We had a lovely view of the “Young Mountain” from the top.

Though I was disappointed we didn’t get to hike Huayna Picchu, hiking Macchu Picchu was hard enough. I had prepared for this journey by participating in a local trail race series running through the mountains in Utah. Meanwhile, Chris, as usual, did nothing to prepare. Despite my months of preparation, I was not prepared for the Incan stairs.

Oh did I not mention the stairs? No one mentioned them to me! I imagined it would be a regular hike, but it’s ALL STAIRS! And I’m not talking like stadium stairs that are all uniform in height – they were all sorts of sizes. Though one size was conspicuously missing: the small stairs. They weren’t there. They were big, bigger, and even bigger, and all sorts of lopsided. It was more than my stubby little legs could handle!

Chris fared much better than me, surprise surprise. Though he will still tell you to this day, despite having hiked the Half Dome in Yosemite and 20 miles of the Grand Canyon, that this maybe 2.5 mile hike to Machu Picchu is the hardest hike he’s ever done.

Imagine climbing all these stairs after having done the whole Inca Trail?! The Inca Trail starts in Ollantaytambo and it’s a 26-mile 4-day trek. You know I’m all about hiking and adventure, but I’m also all about conserving energy – if a train can take me to the same spot, I’ll gladly accept the ride! I know my limits.

That night when we were safely back in our hotel, my legs were hurting pretty bad. I never ask Chris to give me massages as he does not know the meaning of the word soft. I very delicately approached him and told him that my legs hurt very bad. I asked him if he could possibly massage my legs. I asked him to very gently barely touch my legs where it hurts. He was very sweet and obliged my request as best he could, though the second he touched them, I started sobbing hahaha! It hurt so bad!

I tell this story for a few reasons. I have a tendency to come across as inhuman in my career (all business, I’d fit in well in NYC meetings), and these kind of stories show my softer side. I also want people of all fitness levels and abilities to not feel overwhelmed by some of these treks – if I can accomplish something, almost anyone can! And lastly, I want people to know to USE A STAIRSTEPPER when training for this hike! Learn from my pain!

Despite the pain, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. The whole experience was awe-inspiring to say the least, and I’d love to do it again, albeit better prepared for stairs! It was exhausting, exhilarating, and unforgettable, and it was only day 3 of our trip!

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