Volume 1 Article 14
My Reflection On Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain 5 Years Ago
Sunday June 25, 2023
travel
It is quite the popular question, but people always ask if there is one piece of advice you could tell your younger self what would it be. Now I have a short list, but high on that list I would say that saying “yes” to new experiences is a great piece of advice. From saying “yes” you never know what could come of the experience, it could be the best or worst. But if you do not say “yes” you will never know. I have been able to do some of the coolest things because I said “yes” and honestly think that I would always be wondering what if. What if I did not say “yes” to going on the study abroad program to Peru and climbing Machu Picchu Mountain. Luckily for me, I decided to say “yes” and know for sure that I made the right decision.
Here is my reflection of climbing to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain five years ago and saying “yes” to a once in a lifetime kind of experience.
The Beginning
Five years ago, I decided to test my boundaries and said “yes” to a new experience. I have always been curious about traveling and going to new places. Although I like to travel, I have not always been comfortable with being in new places on my own. That all changed when I decided to participate in my first study abroad program.
I was only in my first semester of college when I discovered the program that went to Peru for a month. The program had caught my interest and I wanted to know more. After attending an orientation meeting that talked about the program and what past years had experienced, I was all in. From that meeting, I told my parents about Peru and the next thing I knew I was on a plane to the Southern Hemisphere.
The program was great and it allowed me to learn and explore so much of the country. Our program started us off in the coastal region, where I stayed with a host family in Lima. Then moved to the Andes where we visited many cities including Machu Picchu. Finishing our program in the Amazon Rainforest. There were so many cool experiences, but going to Machu Picchu and climbing Machu Picchu Mountain left a lasting impact on me.
The Climb
At first going into it I thought climbing the mountain would be easy or be considered a beginner’s hike since so many people do it. Little did I know that the climb was far from it. Now I would not say it was hard, but at least a hike for those who are intermediate and have hiked previous mountains. I had no training whatsoever before the trip and some training would have been nice.
Once I got to the entrance for the mountain, I was skeptical about it and almost did not go. The climb up was not paved so having proper hiking shoes greatly helps as the steps are not even or smoothed out. It also climbs in elevation quickly so it is definitely a hike where slow and steady wins the race. Finding that pace was difficult for me because I did not want to hold the group that I went up with from going at their pace, but I was not used to climbing elevation at a quick rate.
It was a struggle to the top and on many occasions I thought about just going all the way down. I would say “I have made it this far which is an accomplishment already.” At some points I even started to walk down before turning around and going back up. Which I would say did not help my case of having to climb more steps than necessary. It was my constant curiosity of what it would be like at the top that kept me going. The thrill of trying something new such as hiking to the top of a mountain.
Reflection
It was hard to continue to push and get past giving up. Climbing to the top of the mountain allowed me to build a mentality of not giving up on myself. I was able to show myself that I am capable of accomplishing more than I think I am. And let me tell you, the view at the top is amazing and worth the hike. Getting to look down to see where you started and then where you end is one of the most satisfying feelings. In the end it took me two hours to make it to the top. The climb down was significantly easier and definitely deserved after the climb up.
If you think you can not do something, I would say “think again.” You are more than capable of accomplishing something, but you have to dig for the mental strength. I will say it was not easy, but doable. As mentioned, there were times that I started hiking down only to turn around because I knew in the end I would not be happy. I knew not making it to the top with my class would leave me with a what if feeling.
From this experience, I have been able to harness that strength to do other things that I did not know that I was capable of. Three years later, my next challenge was to run a half marathon. I used that strength to push and continue even when I thought I could not make it 13.1 miles. Now I have run in multiple half marathons. Climbing to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain was an experience I will never forget and am grateful for. So again if you are ever questioning something and have the slightest feeling that you might regret saying “no”, I challenge you to say “yes.” Climbing to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain opened my eyes to see all the things I could accomplish if I just said “yes.”
Andes college College Experiences Incas international travel Lifetime Experiences Machu Picchu Mountain Climbing Peru Southern Hemisphere study abroad