Where In The World are Brian And Angela?!?: August 2009

Well, given the fact that we are 1) not in any kind of ¨normal¨ physical condition, and 2) organized a climbing trip with no phone or internet services, our adventures in Ancash are not too suprising. First the big news: Brian summited two peaks over 19,000ft and I zero. After a debilitating muscle pull in the marathon, Brian made an admirable comeback and plowed up the mountains in classic B-man style; albeit much more winded and with a bit more lactic acid buildup. At the first base camp on summit ¨day¨ (we left at midnight) I turned around after 30 minutes of hiking with a terrible case of the flu coming on. 2 hours later a friend of ours came back with the same symptoms. Flu at 14,000ft. is not pleasant, so we went down and spent the next three days in bed while Brian continued with another friend of ours.

I didn`t suffer from any busted ego woes as I have long ago accepted the fact that I am a different person here, physically and emotionally, and don`t expect to be Ms. Climber Girl while living in a tropical cloud forest. Besides, I had a backup plan - a wonderful trip to a mountain lodge with some girlfriends while Brian and some boyfriends went on a trek together. (He was going to attempt Huascaran - highest peak in Peru - but after seeing the lacking safety practices of the guides on the frist two peaks and hearing of the death of a guide and client the day before he was scheduled to leave on the same route, we decided that dying here is NOT in our plans and a trek would be better until we can climb with those that we trust). Enjoy the pictures. The lodge is a tranquil eco-friendly place with lots of cool dayhikes and and nice people. It reminded me alot of the hangouts in the San Luis Valley, but with clothes on (heehee).