What a great day. We had a 4am start to try to cover some good ground and began the day by driving over the highest pass yet, nearly 4700m (>15,000ft).
In fairness, these police, as with most of the others, were concerned first and foremost for our safety. Our mototaxis are slow, not very visible and are dwarfed next to the other traffic on the road.
We'd made it only a few miles before being stopped by the police, who tried to suggest we were mad driving on this road. They particularly objected to us doing it at night. Luckily, dawn was approaching sand as the 'discussion' continued, it got lighter and lighter, ultimately invalidating their objections. We declared "it is daytime" before they reluctantly let us press on, climbing to the snowy summit of the pass.
In fairness, these police, as with most of the others, were concerned first and foremost for our safety. Our mototaxis are slow, not very visible and are dwarfed next to the other traffic on the road.
Having crossed the summit, we then commenced an almighty 4km altitude drop from that freezing peak, all the way via Huanuco and ultimately into the Amazon basin to Tingo Maria, where I am now.
Chris is busy cajoling mechanics to help fix our wobbly and buckled wheels, ready for another onslaught tomorrow...whilst I take care of the communications (its good that we understand each others' strengths!)
* Footnote. It was on the evening of 7 Jan that we learned of hte tragic death of Peter Buckley, a fellow competitor. He died on a stretch of road we had ourselves driven during the previous 48hours. We were shocked, saddened and stunned by the news, whilst (confusingly) feeling that it was inevitable that something like this would happen, given the perilous nature of the journey. Our thoughts go out to Peter's family and friends. He died in the name of charity and adventure, doing something brilliant; and he will always be remembered.
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