Machu Picchu trek: day three.

After a slip-slidey night on the slope that was our campsite, and some admiration of alpine glow on the glaciers, we carb-loaded and headed to Chancachuco pass.

top o'the pass

We had beautiful views of the cloud forest on the way up and of Silque Valley on the other side once we reached the top of the pass.

up...

... and the other side

Since we had to alter our first few days due to the bridge washout, we were basically trekking for several hours where most people (other than the few who live here) have never been. Chevere.

(Not so chevere, the part where we got a little mixed up heading to the lunch spot, and I had eaten all my snacks and was getting a little cranky from low blood sugar and being tired, but we found it and it was beautiful and lunch was great so whatevs.)

After lunch we crossed the river by horse - except for the guide, crew and Viki who all leaped easily across the rocks.

Viki don't need no stinkin' horse

A few more hours on mostly flat terrain and we reached Anqascocha Lagoon and the campsite literally - and I mean that literally - as it started to hail, just a bit at first and then massively, bouncing off the ground like popcorn.

snap! crackle! POP!

Then the rain started. Our timing could not have been closer! A little while later the rain stopped, the fog rolled in and after dinner of stir-fried meat of some sort and wonderful vegetable soup, and a few minutes stargazing (hello, Milky Way), we hit the sack.

Our campsite is by a babbling brook and flat, so even though it might get down to zero celcius tonight I imgine I will have no trouble sleeping...

Quote of the day: "we're walking the road of queens." Viki and I made that up at the top of the uphill slog after lunch, when we started to walk on part of the Inca Trail. Hopefully the Incan gods don't mind us saying that. We tried somewhat successfully to translate it into Spanish, at least!