Trekking To Machu Picchu

Greetings All,

Earlier this month I was getting a little antsy, and knew it was time to take on another challenge.   So, I went with the obvious choice, a 50 mile trek through the Andes Mountains and Amazon Basin in Peru.  The ultimate goal was to overcome whatever obstacles the trek presented me with, and get myself up to Machu Picchu before all others, to watch the sun rise over the ancient city. This journey has been on my bucket list ever since my good friend Paul gave me the book Turn Right At Machu Picchu By Mark Adams.  (Incredible read fyi)  Thanks Paul!

The Andes Mountains brought me to the highest point I have ever been on planet earth.  While trekking through Salkanty Pass, I was at 15,200+ FT.  Almost 3 miles above sea level!  With that, very thin air and some cold temperatures.  My legs and lungs took an absolute beating, but the surroundings were visual ecstasy.  Everywhere  I looked, were snow capped peaks, glacial lakes etc.  The Amazon on the other hand brought on incredible amounts of rain and some nasty insect bites as well.  Completely different environment, but no less difficult.

After days of trekking and making camp in the mountains, I arrived to the trail head of Machu Picchu shortly after 4AM on December 9th.  Having logged forty some odd miles to get to this point, I still had "the climb" to make.  The steps leading up to Machu Picchu are notorious within the global backpacking/trekking community.  When referenced, most immediately cringe.  I think my disheveled appearance in the Machu Picchu pictures below, will give you a good idea of how destroyed my body was when I got to the top.  Destroyed body.  Fulfilled heart.  Satisfied soul.  It was INCREDIBLE.  Enjoy the pictures!

This was one for the ages.  Already looking forward to the next trip into the wild!

Until next time,
Mark

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days

ps.. thanks to my dear friend AB for helping make this trip a reality for me.  Thank you too to those I met over the course of my travels in Peru.  The world works in mysterious ways and I consider myself fortunate to have shared some adventures with you.

pps.. included some shots from the Appalachian Trail Trek with the Clemson Crew.  This was just prior to the Peru Trip

DROPPING DOWN INTO PERU FROM THE US

GLACIAL LAKE SHOWER

LUNCH TIME FOR MY HORSES

THE HIGHLANDS - ANDES MOUNTAIN RANGE

SALKANTY PASS - 15,256 FEET: FOR PAT AND JESS, PATRICK A, AND UNCLE STEVE

MACHU PICCHU!  MADE IT WITH MY MAIN MAN PAUL T! THE SITE GETS 2000+ VISITORS A DAY THIS TIME OF YEAR.  EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM.  NOT A SOUL BEHIND ME!

HIKED TO THE TRAILHEAD FOR MACHU PICCHU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.  FIRST ONE AT THE GUARD STATION TO BE LET IN FOR THE CLIMB!

IN THE CLOUDS

FILLING UP ON WATER

MOUNTAIN TOP VILLAGE I SET UP CAMP IN

GLACIAL LAKE

C O L D

NOT A BAD SPOT FOR LUNCH

THE COLOR OF THE WATER....

GNARLY GLACIAL RUNOFF

GO TIGERS!

PERUVIAN HIGHLANDS

PLAZA DE ARMAS - CUSCO, PERU

HIKING ACROSS THE TRAINTRACKS

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS AND A HUUUGE DROP

MY GUIDE NICO!

MACHU PICCHU - PERU

MACHU PICCHU

TOOK LUNCH BREAK AT ANOTHER MOUNTAIN TOP SHELTER

HORSES IN THE HIGHLANDS

BEAUTIFUL SOULS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.  ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER TO CLIMB HIGHER THAN ANY OF US HAD EVER BEEN.  THANK YOU FRIENDS!

SALKANTY PASS - PERU

MORE HORSES IN THE HIGHLANDS

VILLAGE CLOSEST TO MACHU PICCHU

FATHER TIME AT WORK...

WINDOW TO THE HEAVENS

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.  MY DEAR FRIEND HOLGER AND I RACED TO BE THE FIRST ON EARTH TO SUMMIT MACHU PICCHU FROM BASECAMP ON 12/9/15.  HOLGER WON.

CELLUCCI'S MEDAL MAKES IT ON ANOTHER QUEST TO KEEP AN EYE ON ME!

HOW WATER WAS COLLECTED WAY BACK WHEN.  FASCINATING.

IN HONOR OF MY DEAR FRIEND ZACK, I DANCED IN FRONT OF MAMA AFRICA'S LIKE HE REQUESTED.

THE STREETS OF LIMA. PERU

MJ ROSE FROM THE DEAD

STAND BY ME....

SHARED A FLIGHT BACK TO THE UNITED STATES WITH THE BAND HOOBASTANK FOR THOSE THAT REMEMBER THEM

GUESS THE CITY I LANDED IN WHEN RETURNING TO THE STATES!?!

READING TO MARY BETH PRIOR TO TAKING OFF FOR MY APPALACHIAN TRAIL TREK WITH CLEMSON CREW

NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN IN GEORGIA

TAKING ON THE AT!

MY PARTNER IN CRIME DAVE AND HIS FOUR LEGGED PAL TAKING A BREATHER ON THE AT

AB, GRAMPS, NATE, DAVE , AND RYAN SETTING UP CAMP IN THE MOUNTAINS

WORKING OUR WAY UP THE AT THROUGH GEORGIA WITH GRAMPS, RYAN, AB, DAVE AND NATE!  CLEMSON CREW HEAVIER AND SLOWER THAN WE USED TO BE.

CAME OUT OF THE BULLPEN TO BABYSIT NATE AND SHANNON'S LIBB JUST BEFORE LEAVING FOR PERU.  DOMINATED!