We´re a bit bedraggled, sore and dotted with bites and our backpack contents and boots smell like a strong cheese fermentation is taking place (due to humidity and many stream crossings by wading, sometimes as high as my armpits), but all in all the trek was FANTASTICO!
The adventure began with 12 of us crammed in a mini van jeep for a romping ride on a pot holed dirt road which seemed to be giving way in some places and in others 2 feet of solid mud. At one point we were so mired we all had to get out and walk while the driver took a running start.
At the end of the road, they loaded the burros with our supplies and off we skipped.. But not for long. It was an arduous track with steep ups and downs and never a switchback. The terrain was rough with rocks, vines and plenty of slippery mud.
The guides were very solicitous and helpful, especially of me being the oldest woman and they immediately took my backpack and carried it for me. The hilarious 63 year old Frenchman, Serge, went down on the first day and a mule had to be called in for him. By the second day R. was lying on the trail with severe muscle cramps. They massaged his legs, rubbed salt into them, ran back to a small finca for bananas and tied cords around his legs, all to no avail. A second mule was brought in while the others swam in the river and waited. He has had this problem a couople of other times on desert hikes where hydration was a problem.
Day 3 was the longest and hardest, so R elected to stay at camp 2 to sketch and bird watch. It was impossible to take a mule up this steep part, including some rocky cliffs and the 1200 stone steps to the site. He didn't want to hinder the group. There are 170 round stone terraces with stairways between them, and it is quite overgrown with jungle which gives it a very mysterious air. It was super and the mist coming in and out made it even more so!
More later. Computer time is up.
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