Dead women’s pass is not for the faint of heart. By days end each trekker will know what they are made of. They will ascend to this infamous pass high in the Andes and summit about 3pm.

They will climb over 3,600 vertical feet to an elevation to nearly 14,000 feet to the summit. Before leaving the camp they banned each other whining on the trail today but gave themselves permission to cry and cuss.

Having done the Inca trail 11 years ago, I would say that climbing to dead women’s pass is analogous to childbirth. In the midst of it, you are asking yourself, “what did I get myself into?” When it’s over and you are feeling immensely triumphant and proud of your accomplishment you say to yourself, “I think I can do this again someday!” Under the stars of the southern sky this evening they will know that the trails highest pass yields the greatest rewards.

By Kim Valentini- Founder Smile Network