Day 8- Dead End

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
We had planned to attempt to escape from AC today, walking out the same way we came in. A little after 8am, the first words spoken were, ¨Hot chocolate time?¨ from Ike. So we went down to the market for some hot chocolate and a bread roll. Then we packed up our stuff, checked out of the hostel, and attempted down the tracks to be stopped by everyone who saw us. Telling us it was impossible to leave. We were told it was impossible to get to Aguas Calientes, so we thought we would at least try.

About an hour down the road, we came to where the train tracks were no longer on the road. They were in the chocolate river. I commented the chocolate river was ángry´, while Ike responded that it was ´hungry!´Where we were standing, you could see they had shifted about a foot from its original place and before us, a huge section had eroded away. So we found a path up in the jungle and decided to work our way through to get to the other side of the tracks.

Along the way, we ran into Carlos, who was one of the Peruvians who had walked to AC on monday. He told us the roads were fine, and that we could make it to Santa Teresa. I think this gave us a false sence of hope because instead of stopping. We continued on even after seeing the train tracks in the river. After the jungle, we had to go through calf deep water, so not as bad as before. When we made it to the Hydro Electric station, people were surprised that we had made it though. We stopped at a food vendor, bought some bananas and whatever else they had. We asked about the 2 trails, to see which one was do able. They both had roads that had eroded but had alternative trails up in the jungle. So decided to take the route that leads to Santa Thersa.

We had to cross a rickety swing brigde one at a time, to climb up onto a trail. We past abandoned houses where cars and chickens were the only thing left. We started to follow this path for about an hour, over huge rock slides and very narrow edge of the cliff paths. I had just starting thinking that we could make it through, when all the boys stopped, and turned around and were walking back towards me. Apparently, the path had just ended. There was a rock slab infront of them that went no where. How disappointing.

We headed back to the Hydro Electic station to decided what we wanted to do. Try the other route or head back to AC. I wanted to go back, i was extremely tired and burnt out. We bought some more bananas and food from the same guy as we rushed off to make it through the jungle part before it got dark. I was exahusted and needed more food than a banana and chips. Thankfully, Ike offered to make me my tuna sandwich, which i gratefully accepted. Without that, i wouldnt have had the energy to walk back. I would have just sat there and not moved. haha. So eating my sandwich down the tracks.

When we got to the water part again, we ran into a few locals who were carrying large bags of food and other supplies on their backs. They were bringing them into AC. We helped them through the water part and kept going. When we got to the jungle part, we decided to wait for them and help them through. Since we had already been through it, it would be easier for us to make it out again. We couldnt see them, so i mentioned the boys should eat their tuna sandwich and have a break. When the people caught up to us, we shared some left over tuna, passed around water, and then helped them carry their bags up the hill onto the path.

With Doug leading, and us spread out between all the Peruvians, we helped guide eachother through. Towards then end, we had to pass across a gravesite of 4 headstones. It was a little akward, but around the corner we had made it to the other side of the tracks. Doug got us through in about 15-20 minutes. Right before dark. Another half hour and we would be right back where we started.

While walking through the water part, had an idea. What am I doing? I am a back packer, i dont have anywhere to be or anything to do. Why am i trying to hike out of here. Lego and I decided, that when we get to AC, we were going to check out where they have free places to sleep. On the floor in an empty office building, instead of going back to the hostel. We found out there was plenty of space inside and just pick a floor. We walked up to the second level, at the end of the hallway, to a large open room, where a few other tourists from Argentina, were stationed.

I was so tired and exhausted. I thought about going to the hot springs but knew they were closing soon. So i figured id try to find a shower. Afterwards, the line for the free food was finally moving, so i jumped in and got some food. I felt much better after getting clean and food that i was in a better mode, about 90%. I then ran into Ned and Ike and they handed me a bottle of beer. Yes, 100% better! We laughed and talked about how crazy today was after walking a round trip`of about 20km to just end up in AC. I didnt care, i was happy to be back in AC. There i at lease new i had a free place to stay and food.