Posts in the Treks Category

March 13, 2008

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro Day 7– The Summit

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11:40pm

It is freezing. The wind is howling. We are waiting on some of our group to get up out of bed. Somehow Marv and I are awake, changed, and ready to go in ten minutes. Most of our group is here. What could possibly be taking Isaac so long? We are currently at 4600 meters high. By sunrise we need to get close Uhuru Peak. The highest point in Africa is 5825 meters high. That is a long way up.

Marv and I are layered up like a pair of 4 year olds going outside to play in the snow. 3 pairs of socks. Long johns. 2 pairs of pants. 2 sets of gloves. T-shirt. Undershirt. Fleece. Ski Jacket. Hat. Face-mask. It could get as cold as 20 below tonight. I hope we are prepared.

Most importantly, we need to be ready mentally. Minds can play tricks at this altitude. Sub zero wind chill does not help either.

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Africa (2008), Mt. Kilimanjaro, Natural Wonders, Top Life Travel Experiences, Treks Comments( 6 )
August 13, 2007

The Colombian Jungle, a Cocaine Factory, a "Lost City", and a Scorpion Attack

“The Lost City”

Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City) was discovered in 1973ish in the northern Mountains of Colombia called the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Archaeologists believe that the settlement was built sometime between 800 AD and 1400AD. In truth, nobody seems to have the foggiest clue about the Lost City. Different reference points give completely different information. Its builders were the Tayrona Indians and they did not keep any written records. Eventually, they were destroyed by the Spanish in the 1500s. There are a few remnants of the Tayrona indians still in the region. They seem very unhappy. This probably has something to do with the fact that a bunch of gringos are trekking through their land every single day of their lives.

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Colombia, South American Trip (2007), Top Life Travel Experiences, Treks Comments( 5 )
June 30, 2007

Ayahuasca….Finishing the 4 Part Cycle in the Andean Mountains

The setting of the retreat. The BV show, The Weapon, and Lisa in front of Mt. Illimani.

In front of our sleeping and eating quarters at the retreat center

Picture from our six hour hike-

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Bolivia, South American Trip (2007), Top Life Travel Experiences, Treks Comments( 4 )
May 21, 2007

Rurrenbaque take 2: Its the end of the world as we know it….Or is it???

Ben, Billy, and I on our Jungle Tour.

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For My second and final trip to Rurrenebaque, Bolivia I traveled with Aussies Ben Vears, Billy Barnetson, Jessica Ledger, Leah McCann, and a Danish girl named Siri.

We spent about a total of 10 days this time around and lived the good life. I took my second 3 day Pampas boat trip, we chilled in the town for about 4 days, and spent 3 days on a Jungle/Repelling tour. Good times were had by all.

Instead of going through the story day by day I am going to profile a few of the interesting, crazy, and fantastic people I met on my journey to the Amazon Basin.

Sit back, relax, and get ready to take in the lives of Marcel our Pampas guide, Ron the Banana Bread Man in Rurrebaque, Greece from the ATV shop, and Diego our Jungle guide.

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Bolivia, People I've met along the way, South American Trip (2007), Top Life Travel Experiences, Treks, Wildlife Tours Comments( 3 )
April 12, 2007

The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Photo Credit:Sir Donald Startt
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Im currently sitting in the point (our hostel), relaxing, recovering, and letting the last few weeks sink in. It has been a whirlwind since Don and Chris arrived in Lima. Cusco has been crazy, the trail was spectacular, and Machu Picchu (just realized that I have spelled Machu Picchu incorrectly for about the last month) blew all of our heads clean off of our bodies. I have never seen anything like it.

I do not really know where to begin. So much has happened, in the last few weeks. I could write a novel.

So….We left off the night before Chris, Don, and I were ready to set off on the Inca Trail, a 4 day, 3 night trek through the Andes ending at Machu Picchu. Somehow, we managed to take it easy the night before we took off for the trek. It turned out to be an extremely good idea, as none of us knew exactly what we were getting into. I had Torres Del Paine (5 day trek I did in Chile in Feb) as a frame of reference. All I had heard from other travelers is that the Inca Trail was easier. It turned out to be far from a cakewalk. Don and Chris had never backpacked before and did not know what to expect. I think they were both surprised at how physically taxing the trek ended up being.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

Peru, South American Trip (2007), Top Life Travel Experiences, Treks Comments( 8 )
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