Category — OCSC Adventures

If you have ever been to the OCSC Clubroom, you’ve probably noticed the stunning photos hanging on the wall.  I remember the first time I came to OCSC, the clubroom was filled with pictures from the OCSC Antarctic Adventure trip.  It was the first time I  had ever seen a photo collection from the frozen continent.  The color and vibrance was incredible, so much so that I had to ask Anthony if they were even real photographs. He reassured me they were, and also told me that the pictures barely did the scenery justice. Ever since that conversation, it’s been a dream of mine someday visit Antarctica.  Many others share this ambition.

Tonight we’re hosting the Antarctica Adventure Planning Party at OCSC Sailing. Anthony Sandberg, OCSC Founder & President as well as 2011 Antarctica Adventure trip leader, will be explaining more details of the trip and telling stories from his previous expeditions to Antarctica. This is as close you can get to Antarctica without actually visiting the continent (figuratively speaking, of course!)

2011 Antarctica Adventure
Trip Dates: February 8-27 , 2011

Planning Party
When: Saturday, Jan. 23rd 6:30pm
Where: OCSC Sailing, Clubroom

As always, feel free to give us a call to discuss the trip anytime! 800.223.2984

We made it!  Today was another energetic day of trekking–both up, up, up 2200 feet (on a recently discovered royal Inca trail), then down, down, down over 3000 feet to the river valley below.  After a brief walk along the surging Aobamba River, we arrived at Hidroelectrico (Hydroelectric) a quintessential end-of.-the–train-line South American town, 45 minutes later we arrived in Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs), also known as Machu Picchu Town.  Total mileage: 7.1.  Total vertical footage: 2200 up and 3300 down.  And our OCSC team performed flawlessly!

The trek uphill took almost two hours but was totally worth the trouble, for we were hiking the very trail once used by the Inca himself, the ruler of the entire Incan ´empire´–a trail at least 600 years old, in amazing condition, and bearing the unmistakable fine workmanship of those master stonemasons.  Reaching the summit around 1130, we walked into the restored ruins of Lllactapata (´High Town¨ in the native Quechua of the Andes) to behold a sight few ever see.  For there, across a wide, deep river valley, only 2 miles as the condor flies, was all of Machu Picchu arrayed before us.  Yet it was a long, dusty hike from here to there–well over 15 miles by foot and train. 

Listening to our expert guide Dalmiro describe the history of this place, we sat transfixed, glancing at times across at the wonder we had come so far to see.  Some believe Llactapata was a shrine, others call it a watch tower, and yet others think it was merely a great rest stop with the world´s best view of what was to come.  Whatever its purpose, we felt privileged to be there and lingered for a half hour, taking photos and studying the intricate stone work.  For the entire time, we had this epic archaeological site to ourselves. 

After a brief lunch stop, it was time to descend to the river below…and 3000+ feet of steep downhill hiking is no small feat.  About half way there, we got another special Andean surprise: a flash thundershower!  Quickly donning our rain gear, we trooped on–thankful in a way for the cooling effect of the squall.  It was as if Mother Nature had decided to sprinkle down the trail so we wouldn´t get so dusty…but then she got a bit carried away.

Eventually the rain stopped and we reached the valley floor.  Striding triumphantly into the strange little company town of Hidroelectrico, we found a perfect open-air bar right above our train and passed around cold Cusqueño beers, toasting our 40-mile achievement.  Everyone had made it from the first to the last lodge under their own power, with nary a complaint.  We had much to be grateful for. 

While the group celebrated, I slipped away to find a small ruin I´d read about, called Intihuaca–a sundial cut entirely from a massive piece of granite that was one of many sacred sites the Inca placed strategically around their realm to worship the sun and to observe astronomical phenomenon.  After searching through a banana plantation, not 10 steps away from the train tracks, I found this forgotten shrine. I stood transfixed.  Here, among the litter and overgrowth and discarded railroad ties, was a site that was probably visited by shamans and Incas on their own treks to Machu Picchu.  And, like Grant´s Tomb in a lost corner of New York City, it is all but forgotten.  It was a powerful and enchanting discovery. 

By and by, we boarded our train to Machu Picchu town, enjoying a quick ride nearly to the doorstep of the luxurious InkaTerra hotel.  We found our rooms, took long, hot showers and met for yet another gourmet dinner with all the Andean trimmings.  Tomorrow, we start chapter three of this adventure as we head up to the ruins high above us.  The trek is complete; now our exploration turns to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  What a life!

John

A long day’s hike brought us 8.5 miles down the Santa Teresa River valley, from Collcapampa to the semitropical region of Lucmabamba, our final lodge. In today’s trek, we descended another 2600 feet and are now at the comfortable level of just over 7,000 feet–Lake Tahoe conditions!  

Many interesting sights and sounds along the way included:

•  incredible views that reached from the rain forest all the way up to the snow-clad peaks of Salcantay and other majestic mountains 
•  flocks of wild parrots sailing loudly overhead
•  orchids, passion fruit, banana palms, coffee plantations and avocado groves …no more potatoes down here
•  roaring waterfalls feeding the mighty river below, one of which spilled down three levels over several hundred feet
•  a poignant good-bye to our trusty arrieros (horsemen) who have accompanied us every step of the way, replete with gifts for their kids and a lottery for the last remaining OCSC baseball cap (these things are hot commodities!)
•  and finally, a hero’s welcome at the Lucma lodge, after ascending a mile up a recently discovered, 500-year-old Inca road, a brilliant example of the engineering and aesthetic prowess of that ancient civilization.

Unfortunately, there was one sight that none of us enjoyed seeing—a new road being hacked into this wilderness on the far side of the gorge. Ever the diplomat, our guide Dalmiro explained that the road is endorsed by all the towns along the way and is considered essential to the region’s commercial development. Nonetheless, we all felt the same sense of sadness that this magical place—which has for all of human history been accessible only by foot, horse, mule or llama—should soon be a short drive away from the population centers further down the mountain. Progress or not, this is a tough thing to accept. Yet, in the Andean tradition, that is exactly what the people must do. It just is.

It’s warmer down here, even humid, and on arrival we were given icy glasses of fresh squeezed lemonade. Repairing to our rooms for showers, we emerged refreshed and ready for our next adventure. Pisco Sours in hand, we listened in rapt attention as Dalmiro outlined our last day of trekking tomorrow and our arrival at Machu Picchu that evening. We then sat down to another epicurean dinner of causas (delicious potato tarts with fish and vegetables) lomo salteado, sweet potatoes and fresh vegetables. Ending with a desert of coffee mousse and a detailed review of the topo map, we were ready for bed by 9:30. A big day’s trek tomorrow and then on to one of the Seven Wonders of the World!

¡Buenas noches!

John

The 2009 OCSC BVI Flotilla Group

Welcome back to all the sailors on OCSC’s British Virgin Islands Flotilla! Judging by your pictures, it seems like you all had a great time.  So far, we’ve heard stories of good weather, good friends, good food, and great sailing. The pictures tell the story… [Read more →]

OCSC is going to the Galapagos Islands twice during this year of Darwin’s anniversary.  There’s still time to join the group leaving in March!

Darwin’s theory of evolution has become the bedrock of modern biology. But for most of the theory’s existence since 1859, even biologists have ignored or vigorously opposed it, in whole or in part. Read the rest of the NYT Article…

Also, check out the latest Gallup survey on Evolution.

Our Machu Picchu Adventure continues to get great reviews! Most recently, the trip was chronicled by Ellen Galvin for LAN Chile inflight magazine. Read the article here.

Anthony and 25 OCSC friends went to Antarctica over Christmas 2008. Check out this amazing picture they took.

They named him Solomon the skiing penguin. While all the others were trudging up and down the slopes, this single penguin invented skiing for himself.

Our Greece sailing vacation was written up by Outside Magazine in their “Best Trips” edition. Writer Rolf Potts, and photographer Max Kim-Bee joined us on this two week vacation to chronicle the experience of sailing on an OCSC Flotilla.

OCSC Sailing's Greece Flotilla. Photo by Max Kim-Bee.

Rolf Potts writes in the article:

“The only problem is that I know very little about sailing—which is why I’ve joined an eight-boat flotilla organized by Berkeley-based OCSC Sailing. Our goal for the next two weeks is to island-hop through the Cyclades to the gorgeous volcanic crescent of Santorini, then loop our way back to Athens—a journey of 300 nautical miles.”

[Click here to read the entire Outside Magazine article]