Long description:
This cache is dedicated to my wife, who was the driving force to do this trip through south america!
At the beginning of our planning I said that I don't want to go by bus to see Machu Picchu but to hike there. Thus we ended up with the 5D/4N-trekking tour via the Salkantay Pass. When I checked the Caches around I couldn't find any on this trek, so I decided to design a small stamp to set up a Letterbox during the trek. Here it is.
The trekking tour can be booked at different local travel agencies (in Cusco) in different kinds: with camping in tents or sleeping in lodges and also the duration of this journey can differ. The tour can also be done without any payed agency, but a good preparation is essential. In any case a good acclimatization because of the height is mandatory to reduce the risk of altitude sickness! Therefore we spend several days at high altitudes (like in Arequipa, at Lake Titicaca and in Cusco) so we had no problems during the trekking.
We had a excellent organized tour. All of the needed equipment (e.g. tents, sleeping bags, kitchenware, food) was supplied and transported. We had only a daypack with our personal stuff to take. Our guide Manuel showed us not only the way and pushed a high pace, but also did a good job about motivation (especially on the 2nd day when we had to climb the highest point) and explained a lot about plants and animals along the trek. Seferino is a brilliant chef who served excellent 3-course menues, that were delights for eyes and taste, in the middle of nowhere, served fresh juices and a delicious rocoto. And finally Miguel was with us the first three days and took care of all our luggage, equipment and the horses that had to carry these. Altogether an unforgettable supporting team that made our trip a great experience! Thanks to all of you!
On the first evening I explained geocaching to our guide Manuel and told him about the Letterbox-Cache I wanted to hide at the pass. He was excited about hiding a cache there and helped me to find a proper place to hide it and will take care of it in furture.
The Cache:
The Listing coordinates point at the hiding spot of the Letterbox, as I wanted all who made it at this point to find it. If you like to find the Letterbox just by it's description and pictures (how it is usually done with Letterboxing) feel free to do so. I think the pictures are good enough to be able to find the way to the cache even without the GPS.
The Cache container is a small, red transparent Lock&Lock-Box and contains the logbook, the stamp and a pencil. It is hidden at the bottom of a big rock and covered by stones (see the pictures).
Manuel, who's a professional guide on this trek, will take care of this cache and perform maintenance if needed.
The way to the Cache:
The way up: close to the top
From Soraypampa (3.900m) it takes around 3 hours to reach the top of the pass. When you're close to the pass you can see the rocks, where the cache is located.
View from the sign to the cache location
When you've finally reached the sign at the top of the pass take a breath! Then just follow the small path between the small rocks towards the cache location!
Follow the small path between the rocks:
The cache is hidden "below" this rock from the marked side.
Text.
Spoiler:
enaus & Manuel at the top of the pass
Yes! We did it! We reached the top at 4.650m without major problems (what I didn't belive before) and I could really place this prepared Letterbox-Cache together with Manuel for my wife here.
Maintenance Note to Reviewers:
Manuel our guide who helped me to place this cache will take care of it. He's a professional guide on the Salkantay Trek and will come here along quite often.
Thanks Manuel! I hope you'll register here at geocaching.com and start geocaching on your own ;)