Entries By mike king
We have not had many blue skies this trip and today was no exception. The morning provided some great views of the glaciated mountains in the distance as we climbed up Warmi Huanusca Pass at 13,600'. The rain set in and would come and go as the Team go closer to the cloud forest after climbing the second pass of the day named Runkurakay 13,022'.
Today we will join a slew of people hiking the Inca Trail, the team has enjoyed the last 4 days in relative solitude. We took in a few Incan ruins and some members continued to document the floral and avian life that this part of the world offers. Some just took in the views provided when the rain would stop and clouds would lift while figuring out a sequence of ascending and descending the wet Incan steps.
Everyone is doing well, resting in their tents at Chaquicocha 9,900' and looking forward to the ruins at WinayWayna and
Machu Picchu in the coming days.
RMI Guide Mike King
Leaving camp this morning to the sounds of sheep being moved into the high pastures we walked along the Inca canal and eventually down a steep valley. The vegetation began to change and soon we started to see several types of wildflowers and a few different species of hummingbirds. After a few hours we arrived at our first Incan ruin,
Inkaracay.
At the village Wayllabamba (10,000'), the famed Inca Trail joins our trekking route for the remainder of the trip. We said our good byes to the horseman as our porter team joined since we are now in the National Park and horses would have difficulty with the trail ahead and destroy the trail itself. The Inca used llamas as pack animals, they do not have hooves, instead their feet are soft pads like a dogs feet thus gentle on the stone trail.
The team is adjusting to the 'Incan steps' and resting after a long day. We are camped on a scenic mountain bench called Luluchupampa (12,300') looking at the valley below, Salkantay in the distance, and the cloud forest all around us. Two more full days of walking brings us to Machu Picchu.
RMI Guide Mike King
We woke this morning to a snowy camp, after having a wintery mix start around dinner last night. Salkantay was out all day as we hiked through the snow covered trail to Incachiriaska Pass 16,300'. The Team did well despite the altitude and muddy terrain.
We descended down a wide grassy valley and paused often to take in the scenery and soak in the sun after a cold and cloudy day yesterday.
The Team is resting in
Pampachuana camp located at 12,800' among a high rural farming community. Through the valley is an Incan canal that was constructed to straighten out the glacial stream that provides water to the farmers. Tomorrow we join the 'Inca Trail' and our horses will leave us as porters join the team for the remainder of the trip.
RMI Guide Mike King
We packed up and left Cusco at 6 am and headed for the
Salkantay trail head near Soraypampa. The drive took us over some high passes and down a very scenic river valley filled with eucalyptus trees and small subsistence farms.
When you describe to people the quality of food we eat on these Treks you get some doubtful looks, seeing is believing. Our Team feasted on guacamole and bread only to be followed by a pumpkin soup and rounded out with a main course of vegetable and cheese stuffed trout. That was only lunch, who knows what is for dinner.
Bellies full we set out into grey skies with a spectacular view of Cerro Salkantay and Humantay. Gradually the glaciers and snow covered faces disappeared in a light rain as we walked into camp, Ichupata at 14,846'.
Rain is coming down quite heavily now, the team is getting warm in their tents and we will check in tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mike King
This Is Mike, the
RMI Machu Picchu group has all arrived with luggage in tow. We had a nice dinner on the main square in Cusco last night after a team meeting and briefing about the Salkantay Trek. Today we went on a tour of the Urabamba Valley to visit the Pisac Market and the amazing stone work at Ollantaytambo. The weather has been great, the team is adjusting to the altitude and excited about beginning the trek tomorrow morning. We will check in from our camp tomorrow evening.
RMI Guide Mike King
The
Four Day Summit Climb August 27 - 30 led by
RMI Guides Geoff Schellens and Mike King were unable to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier today. The teams turned around at 12,700' due to high winds. The teams have returned safely to Camp Muir. They plan to start their descent to Paradise around 9:30 am PT.
RMI Guides Tyler Jones and Mike King led their
Four Day Summit Climb August 21 - 24 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The cloud deck remains below Camp Muir so the team was able to enjoy clear skies during their climb and from the summit crater before starting their descent. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb teams!
Thanks to all the guides for their hard work over the last few days to re-establish a route above the top of Disappointment Cleaver!
Thanks to the many hours of route work from dedicated guides on Mt. Rainier over the last few days our Five Day Summit Climb team for August 12 - 16 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning around 6 am. RMI Guide Mike King and team spent some time on the top before starting their descent. They will return to Camp Muir and then return to Paradise later today.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Team!
RMI Guides Geoff Schellens and Mike King lead their teams to the summit of
Mt. Rainier this morning. After enjoying some time in the crater they started their descent to Camp Muir. They will take a short rest and then continue down to Paradise.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climbers!
The American Lung Association's Climb for Clean Air team reached the summit of
Mt. Baker today with 100% success! RMI Guide Steve Gately reported a great climb and good route conditions. The views were hard to come by to the smoke lingering over Western Washington, but the team had a great time!
Congratulations to today's team!
Glad to see you in good spirits! We hope you have a great trek! Love & miss you dad!
Love,
Nina & Mom
Posted by: Nina Guenther on 9/5/2017 at 3:43 pm
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