Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface is the fifth highest of the 46ers at an elevation of 4,867' and was where the 1980 winter Olympics were held. The front side (east) of the mountain is a ski hill and tourists can drive up a toll road almost to the top and then take the stairs or get this an elevator the last 300 feet to the top of the mountain. Or you can hike it from the back side and enjoy the great rugged topography, crossing streams, maneuvering through creek beds and climbing hand over hand up steep rock face hills and peering over ridged cliff edges. Regardless of which way you choose the view from the summit is great (well the weather that day did not offer as great of views as I was hoping for it still was impressive to see the stone fortress like weather station at the top. Apparently this is the only peak in the Adirondacks where distinct evidence of alpine glaciers can be found.


Start of Hike
We parked near Connery Pond and started hiking from there. Total hike from here is about 6 miles with ascends of 3,232 feet. The first portion 2-3miles is rather flat. With the amount of rain the ADK had seen the past week, it was wet and muddy and I was thankful to have remembered my gaiters. At about 3miles in you have to cross a rather deep and wide creek. However, thankful to the hikers ahead of us who built a dam like bridge to cross we managed to hike across without being wet. We met a few hikers that had to wade across unaware of this bridge that was upstream a bit. After crossing the creek you will find a lean-to a few meters ahead - a great place to set up for the night. We met the guys who built the bridge and were able to thank them.

Once past the lean-to the trail begins to get narrower and steeper. Again noting the amount of rain that area received there was lots of runoff coming down the mountain making those steep rock slab portions of the climb slippery and difficult (more so on the descent).


Summit
Once above tree line you are not far from the peak. We decided we’d ditch our poles and packs to make the ascent lighter. The peak which would offer stunning views on a clear day was cloud and mist covered with a piercing cold wind. There was ice on the tops of the pine trees and ice and snow covering the weather station. Although we missed out on seeing the fall colors in the mountain ranges (we will be back again) the weather at the peak instilled a real mountain-like experience. If it was not for the tourists in there clean clothing, dress shoes, perfect hair and make-up the weather and atmosphere would make you feel as if you were 5,000’ higher and isolated.

Beautiful view of Autumn foliage

Sitting at False Summit to enjoy some much needed hot coffee

and lunch (pita, hummus, cheese, kielbasa)!!

More views from the False Summit

After taking some photos we descended to a false peak just above tree line. Here we were below the clouds and could see some of the lakes around Lake Placid, and the red and yellow hues of the autumn leaves. The wind still being wickedly cold we hid behind a rock and ate our lunch – coffee, pita, hummus, Kielbasa, and cheese. Once fuelled up we started our descent back the car. We then hit the brew pub in Lake Placid (http://www.ubuale.com/) to pick up a jug of Ubu Ale and then headed back to the cabin for a hot shower and dinner. Dinner was vegetarian lasagna, beef pasta, garlic bread, Caesar salad and red wine. We then hung out by a cozy fire with friends. These friends hiked Giant that day and had a completely different weather experience – one of sun and great views. It goes to show you that you have to be ready for any type of weather in the Adirondacks.

Binoculars

(on a clear day it offers great views of the high peak mountain ranges)

Weather Station at Summit

The following day our friends decided to do a short hike in South Meadows, however because my Achilles was a bit tender Marc and I decided to head to Lake Placid to check out the Big Mountain Deli that our friends had introduced us to. This gourmet deli offers up a menu of 46 sandwiches named after the 46ers. As a group we decided that it would be fun to enjoy a 46er sandwich after summiting a 46er. We were definitely on board with that idea. Having summated Whiteface, we thought perhaps we’d have Whiteface sandwich, but we have also summated 19 other peaks before Whiteface and therefore decided to pick one of those. I had the Mount Marcy (Roast turkey, cranberry horseradish sauce, cheddar, apple on Whole wheat) and Marc enjoyed the Algonquin (Roast turkey, apple wood smoked bacon, avocado, sprouts and Russian dressing on seeded Rye Bread). Check out this link for photos of our 46er Sandwiches.

We cannot wait to go back to try more sandwiches and all there different breads. Check out http://simplygourmetlakeplacid.com/lunch.aspx

Summary

Start: Connery Pond off route 73

Elevation Gain: 3,232’
Height: 4,868’
Total Distance: 12miles or 20km
Total Hiking Time: 6hours (total hours 7hrs)

El Misti Volcano, Arequipa, Peru

El Misti, Arequipa, Peru - 5822m (19,101 feet)

Start of the trek up El Misti


Seeking the only shade around.


Enjoying a banana

Hiking up sand.


Sunset at base camp was beautiful.



While travelling Peru in 2005, we visited Arequipa. It is hear we decided to hike the well known volcano El Misti. The summit elevation is 5822m (19,101 feet). Because we were not traveling with a tent and were not sure how safe the local area was we found a guide to take us up the mountain, however it was a sketchy little operation that we would not recommend. In fact we ran into many other tours that said the same thing about their tour guide.

The problem is these tour guides try to make the ascent way to fast which resulted in more than 50% of the trekkers experiencing serious altitude sickness problems from headaches to gastrointestinal problems. Many hikers had to turn back due to these increasing symptoms. These tour operators wanted hikers to summit the peak in less than a day when a 2 day minimum is required, and a three day is highly recommended, which is a 25 km circuit plus climb. This requires you to tent for 2 nights (as opposed to the inefficient 1 day). The hike up is not hard, but the height gain is so fast that it does not give any time for acclimatization.

There are two main routes on the volcano. The more used Pastores route which starts nere the city of Arequipa at 3,300m and camp is made at 4,500m at Nido de Auguilas. The second route starts at Aguada Blanca route which starts at 4000m near the Aguada Blanca reservoir and base camp is made at 4800m at Monte Blanco (the name of this camp comes from the fact that it is at the same height as the summit Mont Blanc).

We started the trek at an elevation of 2380m and trekked to base camp at a height of about 4,800m. We set our tents up and then were to wake up the next morning at dark and push for the summit.

The view from base camp was pretty impressive, especially the sunset over the mountains. While at base camp we were told to give our water to our guide, which was never part of the details provided to us. We were not impressed as this left us with little water for another day to the peak and back down. When asked for more we declined as we had to look out for our own safety. The following morning before dawn we were to summit, but the group I was with had severe altitude sickness and I was thinking that this guide and trip was all too sketch for me to go any further despite having no symptoms.

Overall, I would recommend the trek, but would search for a more reputable company to trek with and to make sure it is done in a reasonable time frame.

Inca Trail to Machu Pichhu

Machu Picchu

In 2005 my husband and I traveled to Peru to hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We found a company called Peru Treks & Adventure to guide us on the Inca Trail 4 day Trek. The Trek itinerary can be found on their website, along with a map of the route and other useful information. We were very pleased with our porters and guides, they were friendly, funny and informative. They aslo showed extreme respect for the landscape, environment, and their people, supporting local orphanages and making sure to tread lightly along this sacred path.

Peru Treks & Adventure

Day 1

We flew from Ottawa to Lima (stayed at Hostal El Patio, a cute little hostal downtown Lima). Then we flew from Lima to Cuzco where we stayed at Hostal Amaru (another cute place). We were in Cuzco for a couple days where explored the local ruins, went horseback riding and visited the market in Pisac. Finally a few days later in the morning after eating srambled eggs with cheese and bread, we were picked up at our hostal by a coach bus and brought to the start of the trail head at km 82.

Sign at the start of Inca Trail Trek

Start of Trek (km 82)

The first day we hiked 12km from Cusco to Wayllabamba, enjoying the historical sites of the Inca ruins along the way along with views of the Cordillera Urubamba mountain range. You can see the snow capped peak of Mt. Veronica in the distance which stands 5860m high. The first day was rather easy allowing the group to find their hiking legs and get into a groove.

The sun was beating down on us by noon.

Day 2

On the second day, which is the hardest of all the four days, we trekked another 12km from Wayllabamba to Pacamayo. The hardest part of this day is making it up and over the highest pass of the trail which is called Abra de Huarmihuanusca or Dead Woman’s Pass at 4200m.

Being an avid and in shape hiker neither of us had trouble with this part of the trek, however there were others that were equally in shape that had a more difficult time as they were feeling the affects of the altitude. We then descended to 3600m where the porters had our tents set up and dinner started where we'd dine in a large dinner tent. These dinners were always elaborate with 3-4 course meals.

In the morning the porters would knock on your tent and bring you coffee or tea... a fantastic way to wake up.

Sleepy me drinking coffee at 5am in the tent.

Hiking up to Dead Woman's Pass

Amazing view from Dead Woman's Pass (4200m)

Day 3

The third day we trekked 15km from Pacamayo to Winay Wayna. We trekked over 2 passes this day one at an elevation of 4000m (Abra de Runkuracay) and the other 3700m. From these passes the views of the Urabamba river and the snow chapped peaks is remarkable. Additionally we came across many more Inca ruin which our guide provided us with folklore stories of the ancient world.

Can see the winding urabumba in the background.

Loved this view of the jagged peaks.

Ruin down below where the group is trekking towards.

Guide (Washington) telling a dramatic historic tale. (Marc is in blue t-shirt, hat and arms crossed).

Best toilet on the trek!

Day 4

The fourth and final day is incredibly short, only 5km from Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu. We woke up super early (4:30am) to be the first group on the trail and to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. After seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu and taking photos of the ruins, we were free to spend the day at Machu Picchu learning about the ruins and the culture of the Incas. We then walked down to the little town of Aguas Caliente, where the group met for pizza and beer.

Machu Picchu at sunrise.

The group

Enjoying Pizza and Beer at a local pizza parlor in Aguas Caliente.

There are local hot springs near by, but the day was hot enough that we preferred to cool off with beer and chat with the group about our trek.