Today was our warm-up hike to Lake Salkantay, a glacial lake in the Vilcabamba Range. The lake is at just over 14,000 feet.

The hike ascends quickly from the valley where our lodge is.

The lake is a beautiful turquoise color.

Here I am with our guide Juan de Dios at a rest stop along the way.

We also have a "911 mule" (in this case a horse instead) to carry extra water and take a pack if someone gets to worn out (probably me tomorrow).

This is our lodge as we approach on our return. On today's hike we saw several Andean condors and heard and saw avalanches.