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Returning from Huayna Picchu |
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This Inca storehouse is the one visible in the shots of Huayna Picchu from Machu Picchu. It commands an impressive view of the Urubamba river valley below. |
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Just below the Inca storehouse, the steps become extremely steep. Looking at the two climbers below, it is easy to see just how steep, as the second climber is only 3 or 4 feet behind the lead climber, but his head is below the level of his partner's feet. These steps are narrow enough that it was necessary to sidestep down them. |
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Below that one very steep pitch, the steps become more gradual, leading to a few relatively flat spots in the trail before you rejoin the stretch back across the knife-edge ridge. |
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Once again, the backpacker's nightmare of "what goes down must come back up" applies, as you drop well below the level of Machu Picchu before crossing the ridge and ascending 100' or so back to the level of the trailhead. |
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The cloud forest nature of the area is apparent as moss encrusts this dead tree. The lupines were actually cultivated by the Incas as a food crop, requiring special preparation since they are normally inedible. |