Page 56 - QDG 2022

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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Exercise IRON INCA
Exercise IRON INCA, a 14-person trekking expedition to Peru’s mighty Machu Picchu, allowed the country to display its broad tableaux of landscapes, from the rainbow-streaked Andes to the thermal springs of Cocalmayo.
Our journey began in the historic Inca city of Cusco at 3,400m, once the empire’s gleaming capital, where our enthusiastic tour guide regaled the party with tales of sun worship and child sacrifice.
Four days of altitude acclimatisation followed, in which we toured 13th Century temples and hiked in the surrounding mountains, whose unique hue is caused by the Andes’ varied mineralogy, tectonic plate movement and harsh environ- mental conditions.
The main five-day Salkantay trek began at Challacancha, with our first campsite at Soraypampa, a day’s walking that passed the glacial waters of the Humantay Lake, and a chance to sport my regimental Speedos.
As we rose to the 4,630m Salkantay pass the following day, altitude training allowed us to enjoy the stunning vista from our journey’s peak. A steadier day followed, hiking from Chaullay to Sahuayaco among the ravines and waterfalls, before arriving at camp in time to enjoy the hot springs and roast our own coffee.
Terrain steepened and humidity increased on the fourth day as we climbed through rainforest to the shrine at Llactapata, from which we glimpsed the first views of our destination. The final day’s ascent took us up the steep stone steps from Aguas Calientes to the famous citadel.
After climbing Machu Picchu Mountain in the vain hope of catching impressive views of the settlement from above, we explored the fascinating laby- rinth of dry-stone structures making up the “Lost City of the Incas”. This done, we descended to Aguas Calientes and caught the long train back to Cusco, where pisco sours and questionable karaoke awaited us.
Although a 3rd (UK) Division expedi- tion, my place on the trip as a QDG was generously supported by a grant from the Regimental Trust.
This truly rewarding expedition in a fascinating country also delivered the Summer Mountain Foundation qualifica- tion to the nine eligible team members, opening doors for futures adventures.
Acclimatisation in the rainbow mountains
ADC
Suitably attired in the glacial lake
Welsh views from Machu Picchu Mountain
Best PT session ever