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Great accomplishments generally have their roots in humble beginnings. Today nine adventurous individuals from Minnesota and South Dakota started their trek on the Inca Trail.
It is estimated that the 26-mile trek through the Andes is made up of over 82,000 steps and 55,000 stairs. They are hiking to create awareness for the plight of children born with facial deformities and raise money and awareness for Smile Network. You should know a couple of things about these amazing people. They have trained hard for the last few months to prepare for this climb that will take them to 14,000 feet. They are supported by donors who have contributed more than $30,000 to support their efforts to provide children who are on a waiting list for life-altering surgeries provided by Smile Network. These surgeries are free of charge and the recipients are some of the poorest children in the world. One hundred percent of the donations received go directly to a child’s surgery. The trekkers are paying all of their own travel expenses associated with this trip.

They range in age from nineteen to fifty-nine. Their efforts to summit Dead Woman’s Pass and proceed on foot to Machu Picchu are supported by 16 porters, two cooks, and three guides. They will camp for three nights on the side of a mountain prior to walking into the famed Gate of the Sun.

Follow Hillary Kiefer, Rachael White, Carla Warner, Olivia Ryan, Donna Ruekert, Denise Kraemer, Stacy Hinkemeyer, Laurie Giacoletto and Russell Grismer as they make their way on the trail.