An Andean Dream

Oh my goodness...we have spent the last three amazing days in the Andes Mountains along the Cordillera Blanca. We are in the city of Huaraz, and stayed in a mountain cottage at about 12,000 feet called ¨The Way Inn¨. They served us amazing three-course meals and were some of the nicest people we have met. Our dormitory was built around a huge boulder and we slept in wooden bunk beds with pillowy down blankets. It was a dream. We met up with our good friends Katie and Eli from back home, and have already had so many adventures! We arrived Monday morning, straight off an all night bus from Lima, and joined them on a hike to Lago Shallap. Little did we know this was a 20 mile hike. It was amazing! We have found ourselves so humbled by these enormous mountains, and the traditional Quechua people that live here. We were concerned for Chris´ health, but he is feeling great and eager to do more treking. It is a little difficult to breathe (especially while hiking uphill) and your heart beats insanely fast, but other than that the altitude has been treating us very well.

We have been on so many hikes, bouldering, and even tried out ice-climbing! We are rushed at the moment because we are headed out in the morning to do a 5 day trek in the Cordillera Blanca called ¨Santa Cruz¨. Chris and I, Eli and Katie will be carrying all of our things and probably hiking about 5-9 hours a day. We are taking a little side path as well to take us to the base-camp of Alpamayo (the Paramount mountain we have all seen so many times!). We spent the day running around Huaraz getting supplies and I am afraid I wont sleep tonight because I am so giddy with excitement! We have so many more things planned for next week, the Andes are absolutely incredible.