“With courage and hope, we can conquer our fears and do what we once believed impossible.” ― Juliet Marillier
We woke up this morning shivering. I can’t describe the cold. Admittedly, we were so toastie last night after being mummified in our sleeping bags by Disnarda and Hernan but now we had to get up. Brrrr! But this is what life is like in the mountains. Yesterday we were wearing t- shirts. Today we are dressed in layers.
Our trek started at what seemed like an easy incline – honestly it never is. Sharon and I make frequent stops. The group usually moves ahead with Disnarda and we pace ourselves comfortably with Hernan. But today we were on a slightly easier trail ( or so we believed ) with Andreas, the cook. He is the most marvelous cook and turns out delicious ‘impossible to cook at a camp site’ meals like baked fresh trout, banana flambé, beef stragonov and the famous lamb in a pit.
Walking uphill is exceptionally tiring – going downhill a breeze. So when I heard it was downhill all the way I was momentarily in heaven…..
Imagine, if you can, a vertical road. Now place thousands of small stones on this road and walk downwards. Every step is treacherously slippery. Your feet roll instead of moving steadily and each step seems closer to falling than safely moving down.
It took almost 2 hours to get down. I was so frightened when I started because it was so slippery. I knew I could not fall down nor stop. Each step took my total concentration, will and courage to plough forward. At no time could I look at the view. 
Looking down was petrifying. My whole focus was on each step and where I placed the walking sticks.
And then we were on a straight incline and we could see our camp. I increased my pace and felt as though I flying ecstatically through the air. No longer were my toes aching from being pushed downwards. They, as well as myself, we’re released with the sense that again today we made it!
I never imagined that going down could be so challenging.
Once again, Sharon was there for me – all the way -spurring me 
on, showing me what to do and helping to build my courage so that I was able to do it.
We have walked so many miles, traversed heights we never imagined and fearlessly looked at our demons with a defiant eye. We are both Torricelumn™ girls through and through. Yes we are getting older but life is for the living and we will strive to accomplish as much as we can for as long as we can – and look good doing it!
Adios.
