Plus tri

The work of a mountain guide is difficult.Few people understand it, perhaps because most of the guides do their job in some inaccessible regions where the most beautiful mountains of the world are located and most of the hikers come from a luxurious life in Western countries. However, luxury has little to do with trekking because it is easier to see everyone’s knowledge and readiness, and division into developed and developing countries is less important. In such a situation, the guide is the most important, especially if the hike is not only a physical activity but also a way to gain new knowledge about a people’s nature, culture, and history.

Those are the tours I like the most because until now, we have chosen not only the height but also history, culture, and nature. This was the case with Nepal, Kilimanjaro, Ethiopia, Ararat, the Grand Canyon, and many other places.

We have always had good guides, many of whom we are still in contact with today, but we have never had such a complete guide as Alex.

His story in technical English is based on historical and natural scientific facts and, above all, on authentic Inca culture. In addition to Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese, Alex speaks Quechua, a language spoken by about 10% of the Peruvian population who have not forgotten their Inca roots. This is probably why Alex was fascinating; he successfully conveyed to us the secrets of the shaman, the way of life, the organization of society, and the history of the Incas. This gave the Salcantay trek another dimension because we walked along the historical paths of the Incas and were in places where their civilization reached its peak, such as Machu Picchu. We thought the Salcantay trek would be easy. Still, the second day of the trek can be compared in terms of difficulty to the descent from Ararat and Kilimanjaro, and the return to Lukla from Namche Bazar because of the 29 km trek from 3900 m over the Salcantay pass 4629 m to 2800 m. Luckily, we had accommodation in the fantastic glass domes made by the Salcantay trek company in all three camps. That part of luxury is always acceptable because no one is against a hot shower after so much walking, climbing, and descending, although die-hard hikers prefer tents and a bit of torture. If to that Glamping (Glamourous camping) he added Alex’s morning awakening at 4 o’clock with coca leaf tea, then that glamor is complete. Let’s not forget that such treks have a private chef and three-course meals.

This was Alex’s 297th trek, and he had the next one after a rest day.You can only imagine his life because the job pays him. That is, he has no permanent employment, health, or social insurance and has more knowledge than many academic citizens. It is not difficult for me to declare him the best guide we have ever had, and we wish him to be in good shape for a long time and follow the paths of his ancestors.

♥

Posao planinarskog vodiča je težak i malo ljudi to razume, možda zato što većina vodiča svoj posao obavlja u nekim nepristupačnim krajevima gde se nalaze najlepše planine sveta, a većina korisnika dolazi iz luksuznog života u zapadnim zemljama. Međutim, luksuz sa trekingom nema mnogo veze, jer se tada najlakše vidi znanje i spremnost svakog, a manje je važna podela na razvijene i zemlje u razvoju.  Vodič je u takvoj situaciji najvažniji, pogotovo ako hajk nije samo fizička aktivnost već sticanje novog znanja o prirodi, kulturi i istoriji jednog naroda.  

To su inače ture koji najviše volim, jer smo i do sada birali ne samo visinu već istoriju, kulturu i prirodu. Tako je bilo sa Nepalom, Kilimandžarom, Etiopijom, Araratom, Velikim Kanjonom i mnogim drugim mestima.

Uvek smo imali dobre vodiče, sa mnogima smo i danas u kontaktu, ali nikada nismo imali tako kompletnog vodiča kao što je Aleks. Njegova priča na tečnom engleskom je utemeljena na istorijskim i prirodno naučnim činjenicama, a povrh svega na autentičnoj Inka kulturi. Aleks pored Španskog, Engleskog, Francuskog i Portugalskog govori Kečua jezik kojim govori oko 10% stanovnika Perua koji nisu zaboravili svoje Inka korene. Verovatno je zbog toga Aleks bio posebno interesantan, jer nam je uspešno preneo tajne šamana, načina života, organizaciju društva, ali i istoriju Inka. Time je Salkantaj trek dobio drugu dimenziju, jer smo koračili istorijskim stazama Inka i bila na mestima gde je njihova civilizacija doživela vrhunac, kao što je Maču Pikču. Mislili smo de će Salkantaj trek biti lak, ali drugi dan treka  po težini možemo uporediti sa spuštanjem sa Ararata i Kilimandžara i povratkom u Luklu iz Namče Bazara,  zbog 29 km pešaćenja sa 3900 m preko prevoja Salkantaj 4629 m do 2800 m. Sreća je da smo imali smeštaj u neverovatnim kupolama koji je kompanija Salkantaj trek napravila u sva tri kampa. Taj deo luksuza je uvek prihvatljiv, jer niko nije protiv toplog tuša nakon toliko hoda, uspona i spuštanja, mada  tvrdokorni planinari više vole šatore i malo mučenja. Ako tom Glampingu (Glamourus camping) dodao jutarnje Aleksovo buđenje u 4 sata sa čajem od lišća koke, onda taj glamur potpun. Da ne zaboravimo da ovakvi trekovi imaju privatnog kuvara i obroke od tri jela.

Ovo je bio Aleksov 297. trek, a sledeći je imao nakon dana odmora. Možete samo da zamislite kako izgleda njegov život, jer je plaćen po poslu, odnosno nema stalno zaposlenje, zdravstveno i socijalno osiguranje, a ima više znanja nego mnogi akademski građani. Nije teško da ga zbog svega proglasim najboljim vodičem koga smo imali i da mu poželim da još dugo bude u formi i hita stazama svojih predaka.