Peru 2004 April 29 – May 21

Partners in crime at our $3/night hotel. BrianThan Jon

Sunset in Cusco

The floating islands of the Uros Indians, Lake Titicaca

Reed boats and the rudder/oar system that we failed to master.

Colca Canyon – the deepest in the world (>11,000’)

…and home to the amazing condor

With wingspans of 10’ they rise from the canyon depths each morning on the thermals.

Chachani. 19,932’ above sea level and our first climb.

A rocky, windy, cold base camp at 17,500’. Sunset at 3:30 p.m.

2:00 a.m. Time to hit the trail. Temps are definitely below freezing.

The sun is up and only a couple more hours to the summit.

We made it!!

Summit views

The grand volcano of El Misti. Our next victim.

The descent.

I can almost feel my toes now…and breathe (down here at 18,300’).

After one success, Misti beckons.

We only have to climb 8,500 vertical feet to the top. No problem.

Sunset at base camp.

The hike begins at 2 a.m. The lights of Arequipa 2 miles below us are a sight.

The shadow of the volcano at sunrise projected on the valley below.

Summit time with Chachani in the background. 19,111’

The summit crater

It’s much faster on the way down. Jump/ski/run down 4000 vertical feet in a matter of minutes.

The beginning of the Inca Trail. We are greeted by Nevado Veronica (5750m).

Jon and Than making the pass on day two of the trail. 13,800’

Incan ruins in the mist.

End of day miles in and we are greeted by a bar and happy hour overlooking the Urubamba River.

View from the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu at dawn.

Incan terracing

The beautiful turquoise lake of Llanganuco

Churup and its glaciers on a 3 day trek through the continent’s most spectacular mountain range.

Glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls.

On top of the pass at 16,900’.

A beautiful goodbye.