Tara at Marine Corps Training Camp, Part II

I did a fantistic hike on Saturday! I started at Aguas Calientes, Peru (the closest town to Macchu Picchu) and summited a mountain called Putucosi.
Total elevation gain: 500 m.
Time to summit: 1h 15 mins, with plenty of rest. And a mouth full of coca leaves.

view of Putucosi, from Macchu Picchu


Aguas Calientes, in the valley bottom

mountain views
Alpenglow in the Andes

and this is why it was a quick summit - ladders!!!!

technically for Marine Corps training, I should have had a 50 pound pack instead of a shopping bag slung over one shoulder....but seriously, I have never done a hike so steep it involved many ladders!

view from the summit, looking down on Macchu Picchu

And in case you were going to ask, NO, Auntie was not up for this hike!