First 16,000 ft. Pass

Here we are, the morning of the second day after spending a couple hours climbing up this pass. Our guide Marcella is there between us. She is one of the only women guides and grew up in a village that we trekked through. She used to cook for the guide company on trips and after a while, approached the owner and asked if she could guide. She was great. She speaks her native Aymara and spanish, but no english. We only had one communication problem the whole week. She always wore the traditional heavy petty-coats and skirt, blouse and hat. No back-pack, she used the traditional striped cloth bundle across her back. Nontheless... she kicked our butts going up these passes! She did have a pair of hiking boots someone must have given her and a fleece jacket you see her in here.