Naturalpath

It has been said that the body is able to endure more stress in extreme situations than in normal, everyday life. I had a feeling this was true, but my own body was never put to the test. That is, until I went on that four day trek through the Peruvian Andes to Machu Picchu - the Inca Trail.

Because I hadn't worked out on a regular basis for about 6 years, I was nervous not only about the hike itself, but about the hike in conjunction with the high altitude (the highest point is just shy of 14,000 feet).

I was nervous about the trek from the day I booked until the day I completed Day 2, the most strenuous section of the hike with a nice, healthy 4,000 foot change in elevation. This day was intense, to say the least: climbing two peaks - up, up, up - all day long. This was my routine: eyes forward, steady breathing in the thin air, watch your step on the old stones, remind yourself that there's no where to go even if you do want to stop, and keep your eye on the prize - the end of the hike at Machu Picchu.

Making it to the top of that first peak on Day 2 was memorable. I was literally standing on top of a mountain, 14,000 feet up in the air, staring at those fluffy white clouds below (yes, below) me. I had done it! I had reached the apex of my four-day journey.

Things took a bit of a turn, however, when our guide convinced us to do the trek in three days so the porters could get back to Cusco for the elections (in Peru there's a fine if you're unable to vote on voting day). I was quickly reminded that the hike wasn't over yet. Even though I felt like I had pretty much made it, there was still quite a ways to go - two days worth of hiking now wrapped up into one.

On Day 3 I woke up at the usual 4:45am to start our long day of hiking. By now my body had just gone through a tremendous amount of strain that it wasn't used to, but I was still able to keep chugging along without any complaints. I powered through every uphill pass with the hope and anticipation that the next would be flat, but it rarely was. Still - up, up, up. Then a few random very steep downhill grades that were awful on my knees. Then, up it was again.

The last uphill section of the hike on Day 3 was short, but difficult. There were what seemed like 100 feet of very, very steep steps. I would go up one step, pause, catch my breath, then tackle the next until I reached the top.

When I finally did reach the top of that staircase, I walked through a stone arch (not knowing I was finished)... and there it was. I was at the Sun Gate and was looking down at Machu Picchu sitting on top of a mountain in all its glory. It was only about a 20 minute mild downhill walk from where I was standing. I had made it!

Looking Back

Every time there was a new hill to climb on Days 2 and 3 I felt like that was the last thing my body could handle. But every time a new hill appearred, I just powered through. And then a new hill would appear, and I would power through that. But even though my body at times felt like it could stop functioning at any moment, I was still able to complete the four day Inca Trail... not only at all, but in three days.

Looking back, one of the most interesting parts of my trip was the fact that I never got altitude sickness on the trail and my body was able to handle conditions it had never encountered - three days of waking up at the crack of dawn, then hiking miles and miles of very steep uphill and downhill slopes and steps.

When I got back to my hotel in Cusco, though, I immediately became sick. How interesting that it didn't happen until just after I had completed the Trail. Looks like in this case the goal of finishing the hike trumped any aches and pains my body endured.

So, as they say, mind over matter...