Successful Return

I returned to the UK on Monday 20th. I finished the trip with some touring around the country, including a visit to Arequipa to meet Italo Trevino, another Bromeliad researcher. I also went to Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon and the Cordillera Blanca. Amongst the highlights were getting to see the largest bromeliad, Puya raimondii, which is huge! We also tried our hand, unplanned, at rock-climbing in order to reach a glacial lake, and we ended up hiking to over 4500m, officially the highest altitude I reached in my life (not counting flying)! Anyway, here are a few pics.The descent into Colca Canyon

Arequipa

The giant Puya raimondii

The Cordillera Blanca

Trocha Union - Reflections

So for the second trip down the 'Trocha Union', the trail with our research plots that can only be reached on foot, I was much better prepared. My pack was lighter (few clean clothes), I knew what was coming and I had a plan for work. Here are a few extracts from my diary (Days are counted since my departure from England).
DAY 52 "We arrived at Acanajo in the rain, got a taxi half way [to Tres Cruces] and walked the other 2 hours looking for bromeliads. Finally we arrived and enjoyed a coffee and an inspiring sunset as the clouds finally cleared"

DAY 53 "The rain makes everything so much more difficult. Writing notes, looking into the canopy and keeping dry feet all become difficult. I only worked a half day because everything became so wet. Now my shoes are soaked, as are my feet, and there is little prospect of drying them in the next few days"


DAY 54 "So we walked, in the rain, quickly to plot 1, slowly to plot 2 searching for bromeliads, then half way back to 1 to collect a plant, then returned to 2, walked slowly again to plot 3, and finally quickly to plot 4 because we were too wet again. Anyway, despite the rain the Trocha was proving much more fun this time, lets hope for some sun soon though..."

DAY 56 "We arrived unevetfully at plot 8, ready to camp, but then the fun began. The other group arrived and decided to move straight on to San Pedro. So half unpacked, we quickly repacked and and raced to the end of the Trocha to find a car. Thankfully one appeared after only 20 minutes of star-gazing. With bags and 2 of the team loaded, the rest of us were left waiting, or so I thought. Walter soon disappeared into the undergrowth, and when Hilario followed I realised we were not waiting! Walter explained the trail was a short-cut and it was possible to beat the car. With this news we began running down the side of the mountain. Fairly quickly we reached the river, with no crossing the only option was to wade through, a short climb the other side and we arrived, 10 minutes after the truck, and that was the end of the Trocha. Wet, tired, but having enjoyed myself much more this time."

The "restaurant" in plot 6 (above) poor service but great views (below)