Soroche

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• Soroche is caused by exposure to low pressure oxygen at high altitude.  It can result in headaches, stomach illness, fatigue or to a more serious degree- fluid accumulation in the lungs or cerebral edema.
• It can be combated just by doing the basics: Drinking plenty of water! Make sure you are hydrated properly, you ascending slowly and you will be alright. Another good option is to chew coca leaves. Coca leaves are easily obtainable, and are considered by many as the best way to combat potential altitude sickness.
  

The Ups and Downs of the Inca Trail

Many people have been asking me about the altitude at various points on the trail. This chart maps out the elevation and total distance.

The Long Wait

The  time between submitting a grant application and notification seems to last forever.  Spring break has given me too much time to think about how much fun and excitement I will have if I get the grant.  I'm hoping that when school begins again the time will go much faster.  I should know in about two weeks.

In the meantime, here's a link to a video:
Machu Picchu; Road to the Sky, Discovery Documentary

Ccaccaccollo

Before one hikes the Inca Trail they should spend a few days acclimating to the altitude of the Andes Mountains.  I hope to spend some time in Cusco and visit Ccaccaccollo where I might be able to do a bit of weaving.

My Trail Permit is Reserved with GEEO

I still won't know about my grant until the end of March but, permits for the trail were going fast so I decided I needed to find a tour group to reserve a permit as soon as possible.  Luckily, GEEO (Global Explorations for Educators Organization) had an Inca Trail tour group leaving in July.  I have traveled with them before and had a great experience so I've booked with them again.  So, if all goes as planned, I will arrive in Lima in early July and begin my research there.  I will then meet up with the GEEO travelers where we will spend about a week or so in and around Cusco then begin our four day hike to Machu Picchu.  I'll then fly back to Lima.  So, lets keep our fingers crossed to see if I get the grant.

The Inca Trail

One of the things I'm most looking forward to is hiking the Inca Trail.  I found this video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRkhJdLB5PM

Notice people are wearing everything from sleeveless shirts to heavy parkas.

More Planning

They don't let just anyone hike the Inca Trail.  They only let a limited number of people on the trail and you must get a permit well in advance.  It is recommended that you get your permit as early as possible before they are all taken.  The problem is, I won't know if I get my grant until the end of March.  So, I'm hoping I might be able to find a tour group that will allow me to cancel if I don't get the grant.  Otherwise, I'll just have to either put the money down and gamble that I will get the grant or wait until I'm sure I have the grant and gamble that there will still be an available permit.

I guess I'd better get some answers to these questions.