been keeping my eyes
most of the time on the
trail. It is so treacherous
that one misstep could
easily result in serious
injury or even death, if
one were very unlucky.
There are many times
when there are only
inches between the hiker
and a drop of thousands of feet.
We hikers didn't stay together. We hiked at our own pace. I
had left my nephew behind in the hands of a guide who took good
care of him. I found myself near the summit, soaking wet, freezing
to the bone, sapped of most of my strength and alone. I was
concerned about my nephew and wanted to wait for him and the
guide, but I really didn't know what to do. I was near my wit's end.
Suddenly, I noticed a man, Peruvian and in his early thirties, who
told me he was a tour guide. Feeling relieved, even somewhat
comforted, just because I was no longer alone up there on top of
the world in a nasty storm, I explained my situation to him. His
words were immediate, direct, even forceful. He told me not to
wait. It was dangerous. I should continue to the camp. Of course, I
took his advice and treked on. A few steps later, I looked back. He
was gone. Gone as suddenly as he had appeared.
Descending on the trail is just as difficult and demanding as
ascending on it, even more so in freezing rain and snow. The steps
We began our adventure all bright eyed and bushy
tailed on a gorgeous day with plenty nothing but blue
skies and plenty of sunshine.
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