Ausangate (cont)
Well, for some reason this site did not let me post my last entry – it´s actually quite obtuse, and the fact that that I have to do it on different computers each time, usually with Spanish instructions makes it even more so. I´ll summarize my last trip: It was really beautiful, and something I really wanted to do but I basically got talked into doing it much sooner than I should have. The agency owner assured me that 2 days aclimation was fine, and he had done the trip many times, and that 3 other hikers would be joining us. On the morning of the trip, 15 minutes before departure, I learned that he had gone on a different trip, and I would be the only hiker. Furthermore, his replacement was a 23 year old kid who had done the 5 day hike ONCE before! The hike was quite difficult w/ 3 of the 5 passes over 16,000 ft, and I had a lot of trouble sleeping. In the end my equilibrium was so bad I had to ride a horse to get back – not fun when you have to ride at night on steep Andean trails, feeling like a punch-drunk cowboy! Finally I returned to Cusco, and had to spend some time in clinic for altitude sicknesss treatment.
I´ve had similar experiences with tour operators in Africa who just want to get your money, but this was the worst! Guess I´ll have to spend more time on research next time, but my next trip is to the Amazon in 2 days, and I think I should be OK there – at least all there is to worry about is mosquitos and snakes!
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plight69