Lessons from an “Indoor Girl” on the Hike to Machu Picchu (Peru)
I’m what you call an “Indoor Girl”. I mean, I will go out for a lakeside brunch, to listen to a band at an amphitheater, or stroll down a path to see twinkly Christmas lights. However, my preference is to be where bugs can neither crawl nor fly within the vicinity of my face.
Depeche Mode warned, in my gloomy, teenage angsty era, that God has a sick sense of humor, so I should not have been surprised that the love of my life would turn out to be the outdooriest “Outdoor Boy” ever.
Like Bear Grylls with a goatee and great taste in music.
That kid camps, hunts, muds, rodeos, and takes runs outside without being chased. He learned quickly that I’d try almost anything when rewarded with cocktails. Weekend at the cabin without internet meant stopping at the nearby winery. Motorcycle Rallies meant open containers on the back of his bike. Hiking to the waterfall conveniently located near a distillery. Over the course of our together, he teaches me. Teaches me that hard isn’t synonymous with impossible. That there’s something wonderful on the other side of dirty and grueling, adventure. By the time he shared his wide-eyed, big-grinned ambition to complete the 4-day, 26 mile hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, I realized he’d in been grooming me all along.
Rascal.
For any of my fellow Indoor Girls whose hearts have drawn them to Outdoor Partners, here’s a bit of advice of your love wants to walk hand-in-hand with you on this path:
1. Comfort + Function > Fashion
Survival is your kaftan. Walking without blisters is your pashmina. There is no room for any other accessories on this trip. The key word her is “function”. If it’s not directly associated with hydrated, warm, or, conversely, cooled, you won’t need it. The porters will carry the supplies for sustenance and slumber. The rest you carry on your own back. By Day 2, that cream for your crows feet or that extra bag of protein-based snacks will no longer feel essential. We woke up as early at 4am. Our restrooms were port-a-potties and a tin bowl with warm water at the foot of your tent. Pick some good boots and break them in ahead of time. Leave the Chanel Lip Gloss at home.
2. Look Up
The hike is steep and rocky. I was petrified that I was one slip away from plunging to my death, so my eyes were glued to my feet. I was tapped on the shoulder more times that I cared to count, followed by a nod to something vast and breathtaking.
3. Have Your Own Experience
Almost everyone in our group was ridiculously fit — even the retired, ex-gymnast in his 70s had impressive 6-pack abs. I was dead last every single day. I was so last that the last person from another group passed me. His name is Paul.
At the end of the day, Paul isn’t remembering how slow I was. Paul was doing Paul. Whether he finished before me or after me was of zero consequence to him. There is no cookie at the end of the hike for finishing first. The cookie is the experience itself. Absorbing the history, being in a sacred place, now. That is the what you come for. Whether you are first or last, you are going to get there…eventually.
4. Deodorant, Baby Wipes, and Dry Shampoo are Your Friends
Every bit of content on the website and the pre-hike briefing caution hikers that there are no access to showers until Day 3. You know what? There is no access to showers until Day 3. Even then, the water was cold and so many groups were camping nearby that the payoff just was not there. By then, what was done was done. Wait until you get to your hotel for a hot shower, full bar of soap, and no rush to be done before dinner is served.
5. Outdoor People Like Good Food, Too
6. Book a Post-Hike Massage
It. Will. Feel. Magical.
7. Support a Locally-Owned Businesses
Alpaca Expeditions is committed to sustainability and is 100% Peruvian owned. In fact, the owner is a former porter (the staff who carry ALL the equipment on their backs) so he is committed to the care of his team. Raul intentionally paid livable wages and equips the porters with moisture-wicking attire, strong boots, access to healthcare, and nutritious meals. He’s expanded opportunities for Peruvian women to work as porters and offers woman-only trips. After spending 4 days with 2 excellent guides, 2 amazing chefs, and 26 of the hardest working porters; I can’t imagine having this experience with anyone else.
8. Go With Someone Who Loves You Unconditionally
On the days when my mind told me all of this was dumb and I probably smelled like the bottom of a mule’s left foot, my Outdoor Boy was the gentle sweet calm I needed. He walked slowly with me every single day. He remarked that we being in the back with one of the guides meant we got a private tour. He wiped my uncontrollable tears of pride when I (finally) made it. He hugged me and posed for 100 too many photos. He’s my MVP on giant, scary mountains.
If you don’t have a someone? Don’t worry. Our group of 17 people included couples, friends, and solo travelers. It did not take long for us to get to know each other and become groups within the group. We shared stories, photos, recommendations for future trips, and space. As strangers, we had no conditions for each other and that, too, feels like love.
🎬 There’s something that surprises almost everyone the hike. It’s much easier to see it than read about it. Watch us hike for 4 days on YouTube.