keep on reachin'

since I've still been unable to write about peru, I decided to make a pictorial history. I promptly ended up with about 35 pictures I wanted to post, which is far too many. rather than get a flickr account like a normal new-millenium person, I instead broke them up into groups which I'll post in succession.

from machu picchu: 9000 feet into the andes

this first series is based on the idea of altitude. altitude ruled much of what we did in peru: it sapped our breath and made our hearts pound at 11,000 feet in cusco, it quivered our stomachs as we climbed the 1,000 slippery feet up to Huaynapicchu from Machu Picchu, and it oftern brought us into close contact with the clouds. I've only felt that kind of kinship with clouds when I was skydiving last summer. why are clouds so fascinating? instantaneously, they are monoliths; but they slowly morph and twist and seem effortlessly light. they move around you without you hardly noticing. vapors, ghosts.

the clouds rolled in and out constantly, scattering rain and sun equally

huaynapicchu: the lesser-known peak above macchu pichu

a closeup of the top, showing the buildings. it took about an hour to climb up there.

the ridiculously precarious final ascent. not for the faint of heart.

machu picchu, as seen from 1,000 feet above

the sentinals

this might be my favorite picture. at the summit of huaynapicchu are all these peaked rocks. as you can see, those who climb to the summit sit there perched like vultures, contemplating the swirling clouds and how far down it is to the river below.