Ready, set…go!

16 Sep 1:25 am by Mark Kalch Category: Miscellaneous, The Expedition, Thoughts

Well its here…the beginning of our journey source to sea. I cannot truthfully call it the beginning of the expedition because how can you define that? Was it when we landed in Lima? We have been through so much over the last 2 weeks that it could easily be the start. Was it when we started really putting in the endless days of route planning, sponsorship proposals, web design? Why not? I can say that in 2 days we will have heavy packs on our backs and we will be trekking towards the summit of Nevado Mismi and the ultimate source of the Amazon River!

We arrived in Arequipa yesterday after a 14 hour bus ride from Lima. The day before we spent the entire day from 10am to 10pm attempting to extract our long delayed gear from Peruvian customs. Nathan and Petronio did all the hard work, talking and being frustrated as expected. In the end we had our gear and in a relatively speedy fashion. Again, Petronio came to the fore!

Some repacking of the gear and it was sent off to Cuzco to met us in 2 weeks at the end of our trek to the put-in at Pilpinto.

Here we are at 2200m. High, but nothing drastic. Our bus ride today takes us to Chivay and around 3600m. That is getting high for sure! We will spend another day in Chivay to aclimatise before we embark on the trek. This will give our bodies a chance to adapt to the ever decreasing amount of oxygen in the air. We will also repack and balance our packs.

From Nath
As we all await in anticipation to physically start this great journey, a special thank you that was forgotten has popped into my head. A very special thank you to Mad Madonna, for your special little envelope. It was a couple of days before I opened it, and wonderful surprise when I did – Thank you!

And off into the unknown we trek…..

6 Comments

6 Comments »

Of the gladest moments in human life, methinks is the departure upon a distant journey to unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of Routine, the cloak of many Cares and the Slavery of Home, man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood….afresh dawns the morn of life…

Comment by Richard F. Burton — September 16, 2007 @ 7:44 am
Buf & welchy – Sladies won both grades. Enjoy the mountain air boys.

Comment by willow — September 17, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Hi boys! take it easy getting used to the altitude! Keen to see some footage of the area. Hope you get some piccys of the local Peruvians – they sound like lovely people. All the best and enjoy – this is a once in a lifetime experience isn’t it? Everyone here is barracking for you!

Comment by Donna — September 17, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Hey team take it easy don’t push yourselves too hard.
Enjoy the view,we will be waiting for the next update
& photos. Have a safe journey.

Comment by Toni-Maree — September 17, 2007 @ 8:25 pm
Welchy, you and your mates embark on a life-chnaging journey. In the quieter, less frantic moments, listen to your inner voice, it will be singing a beautiful song, a song of that which is the essence of being human, a song of harmony with what is a beautiful world.

To the three courageous young men who want the most out of life, go well, may you walk in the company of the great spirit and though physically it may not be possible, at least in your minds and hearts don’t walk behind each other – don’t walk ahead of each other – walk beside each other and be good friends.

Comment by John (JD) Pyke — September 18, 2007 @ 11:26 pm
Lads … remember don’t attempt to tame the mountains or the rivers but work in harmony. To achieve a succesful expedition it is not necessary to summit the highest peak or to navigate the wildness rapids, support and return each to their homes. May the river gods craddle you and the mountains open the heavens ..
be safe!
PS. Don’t pee in the river!

Comment by Gerry — September 20, 2007 @ 10:38 am