Even though it was cold last night, I stayed warm in my zero degree down sleeping bag.  However, I can't believe how sick I am this morning.  I'm not able to eat anything at breakfast and have to leave the breakfast tent early because I may throw up at any time.  The nurses in our group feel that my altitude sickness has returned and that I should get back on my altitude sickness pills.  We have a long ways to go today and most of it is uphill.  The highest pass of the hike, Warmiwanusca Pass, can be seen far in the distance.  Just up the trail we come to a small stream and wooden bridge.  They are very pretty.  The trail then heads steeply uphill.

Looking up toward Warmiwanusca Pass 5-27-2008 @ 9:19	James and Beth by a small stream 5-27-2008 @ 9:42

     At the top of the steep climb, we reach a flat area and rest stop.  The flowers in the trees are gorgeous as are the mountain views.

Flowers at our rest stop 5-27-2009 @ 9:54	A great view from the rest stop 5-27-2008 @ 10:04	Our group at the rest stop 5-27-2008 @ 10:07

     After our break, the trail climbs again beside a creek and mini rain forest.  Around noon we reach another rest stop and vendors selling goods.

The climb by a creek 5-27-2008 @ 10:44	Our second rest stop of the day 5-27-2008 @ 12:05	Vendors at the rest stop 5-27-2008 @ 12:05

     The trail then levels off as we walk through a grassy plateau area.  The high pass we have to go through later today can be seen in the distance.  Our lunch tent is on the other side of the plateau where it is nice to be having lunch a little closer to noon. 

A plateau near our lunch site 5-27-2008 @ 12:19	Our lunch tent 5-27-2008 @ 12:29

     I am still feeling badly, so I leave our lunch site before the others because I will surely be slower than they are.  I begin a very steep climb on a side-trail shortcut until reaching the main trail.  Our lunch site far below has some interesting symmetrical grooves/trenches cut in the ground.  I wonder if those are to allow water to drain away or just for decoration.  The trail continues its steep ascent toward the pass.  Pretty soon our porters come by loaded down.  Barbara and I are the same age, but the similarity ends there.  She is the first one from our group to pass me from below.  Actually, she blew everyone's socks off on the steep climbs.  You have to be careful when she goes by so as not to be swept off the trail by her backwash.  I reach the top just after Barbara.  At 13,776' Warmiwanusca Pass is also called Dead Woman's Pass for a female mummy that was found there.  Upon reaching the top, Ann proclaims that the climb was a "bitch," something we all laugh about the rest of the hike.

Our lunch site below 5-27-2008 @ 1:47	Nearing Warmiwanusca Pass 5-27-2008 @ 2:39	The sign at the top 5-27-2008 @ 2:48

     After a break at the pass, we begin a brutal descent toward our campsite.  Right away a deer walks across our path.  While extremely steep, the descent is a series of steps, unlike the sloped inclines you have at the Grand Canyon.  Consequently, here your feet do not get crammed forward in your boot with each downward step.  It is quite helpful to have poles to help steady you on the descent.

A deer on the trail 5-27-2008 @ 3:19	The steep descent after Dead Woman's Pass 5-27-2008 @ 3:38

     There are more beautiful flowers everywhere.

Flowers 3-27-2008 @ 3.41	Flowers 5-27-2008 @ 3:36	Orchids 5-27-2008 @ 3:59

     Our steep descent continues, passing a waterfall on the left, and finally pulling into our campsite at Pacaymayo at 10,991'.  Again the porters have our tents all set up.  I'm beginning to like this kind of hiking.  Our porters carry most of our gear, set up our tents before we reach camp, and cook our meals.  I wonder if I can hire some porters for my Grand Canyon hikes where I have to do all that stuff myself.  The views are magnificent from our campsite.  There are snow covered mountains everywhere with clouds extending well below their tops.

Waterfall 5-27-2008 @ 4:40	Our campsite the second night 5-27-2008 @ 4:56	The view from our campsite 5-27-2008 @ 5:34

     Our campsite is about 1,000' higher than last night, so it should be a little colder tonight.  I'm feeling slightly better than this morning, but no where near 100% yet.  Beth continues to have diarrhea issues.

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