Trip Report - Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Good morning,
I promised to report back on my experiences hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The hike was 45 Km (about 28 miles) over 3 mountain passes, the highest climb and descent was over 3500 ft up and down in a single day. I am happy to say that I survived the trip intact! I hiked and camped 3 nights and 4 days before reaching Machu PIcchu. High altitude hiking was a new experience for me, but I don't believe it affected me dramatically worse than normies who never had the DS. I took diamox and drank the coca tea as suggested. I did notice more shortness of breath than usual, but I found that improved when I doubled my iron intake. Just a theory, but I think our bodies start working overtime to produce red blood cells when the air is so thin and those of us who do not have a lot of iron supplies feel it a bit more. I actually started feeling a bit better after I doubled the dosage.
While it was tough, I am happy that I accomplished something that seemed so out of reach just a few years ago. I never would have attempted something like this at my top weight of 285 lbs and with several co-morbidities!
I have pasted a few of the wonderful views along the way below.
Best wishes,
Sharon
Sunrise from the tent - day 3
On the trail in the cloud forest
Amazing Views of ruins only assessible via the trail
Dawn in the Andes
