Adventures in Peru – Trekking across the high plains
Some years ago I spent the entire month of July in the nearby district of Ayacucho planning, cooperation with other missionaries there, but as often happens here to change plans. I had to Arequipa, to support the paperwork for my car, take the July 1st has come and after Cotahuasi 5, in the hope that, overall, the morning after the Oyolo. However, when I checked the calendar, said there was only a snow storm and was too plateau betweenCotahuasi and Oyolo. The road was not passable now, perhaps on Thursday and Sunday, when the snow melted enough. I wanted to wait until a week and still not be able to go, so he decided to explore other possibilities. One was to take a bus from Cotahuasi near Lima, and then transferred to another bus to pause, which takes 48 hours, most of those on the bus. The other option was to walk, my favorite by far. The problem with this is that I did not know the way, I should know upnormal in the snow close to 16,000 feet and had no one to come with me.
It seemed a great adventure, so Wednesday morning I went with my backpack too heavy and went into a combination for one hour and 40 minutes at the end of the new road to Andamarca. From there I went to Charcana, which lasted just over four hours, arriving at 11.15 clock. The Charcana, which at 11,000 feet, the trail climbs steeply up to the top of the canyon rim, and then rises gradually upflat before the new Oyolo. The way to Oyolo rooms right outside the plateau Cotahuasi 14000-16000 feet and most of the road. I thought to walk to the board that afternoon but was not sure if it is a good storage area below the snow would be, so he decided to spend the night in Charcana. I've talked to a policeman, and he said he was a mentor to me, that sounded like a smart idea, because I do not know if the road would be visible to searchSnow. I have several stories of how long the hike is 6-8 hours, and that there are two ways. That evening, the police officer introduced me to Orlando, a young man, he told me to tell the road junction for 20 soles. Here, Josue and I got to the farm if we waited Oyolo returned by May, so I know the road to get there.
I was at the police station at 6.00 am, as agreed, but not Orlando. The police sent someone to find him and heFinally appeared at 6:30, the regular rubber sandals in common here, wearing a sweater and a light jacket with a thin poncho, without food or water. I had a package with 50 pounds tent, sleeping bag, layers of clothes, waterproof hiking boots and gaiters. And of course food and water, as well as Bibles, booklets and study materials. After about an hour and a half, we were up to 13,000 feet and pulled me really slow, because of the altitude and the heavy backpack, so I asked if OrlandoIt would be for half an hour or so clothing. He agreed and we got back, what a change – now I could keep up with him and he was the only rest stop! He held my package for about an hour and then asked me to withdraw it. An hour later, you climb through the snow and I was exhausted, so asked him to wear it again. The trail finally started to level and in 30 minutes we reached the road and a wooden cross on the side of it at about 15,600 feet. Orlando said it was the "Cruz" andOK, if I go alone from there. I asked (or tried yet!) Are taken at the "cruce" (intersection), not seen. Oyolo assured me that it was "that way" and all the plain, where there was a valley that seemed very familiar. I had planned on this side of the road as a state, and it seemed that the road would cross the street a few miles beyond the hill, so that seemed reasonable. I shared some cheese and bread with him andbeen ready to go on my own, but offered a little more to come with me, so I gladly accepted.
After about 15 minutes he came back asked if I was okay to go alone, and I said yes, because two sets of footprints in the snow, which were easy to follow. He stood there watching me for 10 minutes or so and then come back. I was so grateful that I had decided to hire a guide and that God is good, because I do not know if I could do if he is alone. The road was not difficult to followand there was less snow than I expected, but I'm not sure I could have managed the implementation of the pack the whole way. Although it was all downhill from there, I had to rest area countless times and went much slower than normal walking. I was hoping to do it in less than eight hours but was completed in 10 hours! Except a few people we met with the blade just before Charcana not see anyone until I was almost Oyolo. There were a few cattle to the pathOyolo couple of hours but was allowed to pass without problems (all have long horns here).
When I was a little 'rest after arriving in Oyolo, a girl named Ada Luz came to me and said: "Take my picture. Take my picture." He remembered the first because I had a camera and had pictures of her. After the call to be returned to Cotahuasi, I know that my employees have arrived safely, I checked into a local hostel, boiled eggs for dinner and went to bed early. In the morning Idirected to Pomacocha, with just over five hours ended, instead of the usual four, because I'm bushwhacking up and down the hill from Ccahuanamarca, and partly because of the heavy backpack. Along the way, I met Victor, a man who lives in a shack along the road, and wanted a Bible. I was happy for him, for him and me – a few grams less in my backpack! The Pomacocha I still illuminated, provides a study on flora and a heavy Bible Large Print Bible Sebastian. OfOf course this time I was at the end of my walks so that did not make a difference to the weight where I planned to leave in a truck, as no combination was on that day.
Unfortunately, it was the first day of the new bus service to Pomacocha a big party in the country and the truck driver had to leave quickly. Finally, in addition to about 4:15, just like the beer bottle, it was accessible again, I went and asked him when we go out (they are in a circle and give alarge bottle of beer and a glass). He said he would consider whether the truck was ready and he lost his last "One for the Road" and few minutes later we were on our way. At this time the sun was setting behind the mountain and was always cold in the back of the truck open. I put on a sweatshirt, but could not find my other, I must have lost connection to the village. I was grateful I had my sleeping bag and use these as a poncho for mid-four hours to pause units, arriving at 8:30 clock.
In time, I met with Cindy, Claudia, I learned to know that there in May, along with a missions team from Florida, and spent the next two weeks to work with them. At the end of this time I found out that they rented a Suzuki 4×4, which was to be returned to Arequipa, so I went back for them, instead of walking back Cotahuasi.
