Brittany McGee

Editors Note: This is the 2nd post of 4 chronicling my experience on the Inca Trail. Find DAY 1 here.

I woke up on DAY 2, somewhat refreshed. I had slept more than I had our last night in Cusco, but still not nearly enough. Sleeping on the ground wasn’t an issue so much as my sleeping bag had somehow turned into an oven and I was baking most of the night. Regardless, upon waking up and remembering that I was in the middle of nowhere, and without a shower, I freshened up (have I mentioned that baby wipes are the best—oh, I have). While I might have been burning up while sleeping, it was an overcast, chilly morning. I layered up, mentally preparing myself for the day.

After a hearty breakfast (I could write an entire blog on all the delicious food we ate), we took off, into the jungle. No really, Machu Picchu is at the brink of the jungle, so much of the terrain has tall trees, waterfalls, etc. The first part of our trek on DAY 2 was just that. I “oohed” and “awed” at the scenery, not minding that we were climbing more than walking. The trees also kept us shaded and cool.

As we exited the jungle, we reached a break point on a mostly flat plain. Women were selling small plates of food, water and Sporade- the Peruvian version of Gatorade. Other tour groups paused here as well. Many took pictures, some stretched or did a few quick yoga poses. Everyone braced themselves for what was next. We would be summiting Dead Woman’s Pass, named because you pass between what appears like a woman’s head and her very perky breast. I’m sure there have also been plenty of dead women passing though, that’s just the darker side no one wants to talk about.

I was not prepared for this part.

It was steep. And seemed to go on for-ev-er.

At points, I wanted to cry.

At points, I wanted to give up, and just live on the side of the mountain until I died. I could have lived a fruitful life there.

And once I made it to the top, I tried my damnedest to soak it all in. After all, it was a gorgeous view. And, I was proud of myself; I made it, unscathed. But, it was also freezing and we were literally in the clouds at 4200 meters above sea level. We stayed at the top only to wait for our guides who had purposefully fallen behind.

Downhill went much faster, though it was just as difficult. If you’ve ever walked down a million stairs, you realize that you’re utilizing muscles that you don’t normally use. Those muscles eventually tire as well. At the bottom, we found lunch waiting for us. Hot food was just what I needed.

Once I had stuffed myself full, I dozed off on a plastic tarp for a bit; soaking up the sun when I could as it was playing a game of peek-a-boo with the clouds. My nap was short-lived and we had another climb ahead of us. Our guide promised this would be easier, but with burning thighs and a throbbing knee, it certainly seemed much tougher.

By the time we reached camp in the cloud forest that evening, I had exerted myself and pushed my body more than I had ever in my life—and I’ve run two marathons. The feeling was simultaneously exhilaration and pain. I wanted to collapse from exhaustion, but my mind was more pumped than ever. Ultimately, my body won and I PTFO’d after another delicious dinner.