| Nationalgeographic.com has neither edited nor researched this dispatch. |
| October 29 |
 Breaking camp. An army on the move. We are tearing down tents, collapsing poles, and moving from high camp back down to the dump site. Jim Underwood and I get a headstart on the others. We make a quick climb to the summit, shimmy over it, and then vault almost straight down 2000 feet (609 meters) of loose scree. It is like skiing in dirt. |
 Last evening, José and Johan gave a telephone interview to the Rector of Catholic University of Santa Maria as well as some journalists. Their report, which local newspapers and television picked up, told of our expedition and those of the past on Pichu Pichu. This expedition, while lacking in archaeological finds, brings to a close the excavation of the entire mountain—a period spanning almost fifteen years. Closure assures that the finds will be studied and the knowledge disseminated. Closure also negates any future threats from looters, who often use dynamite to uncover—and destroy—artifacts. The work of Johan, José, and the others is intent upon preserving the past. Looting destroys the cultural and historical integrity of a people. No one gains. |
| Jim is just ahead of me, barreling down the slope. My pack is heavier than ever before, and my body more resistant to the altitude. I sidle, like a crab, all the way down, stabbing my ice ax into the dirt when needed to arrest my chaos. Our boots fill with sand and pebbles. At bottom, Jim and I have perfect scorecards. Broken knees: 0. Headaches: 0. Ruptured discs: 0. Broken laptop: 0. |
 At base camp, we continue packing. Burros plod up the slope to haul our equipment down to the dump site. We have given up trying to figure a schedule for them. They just show up on their own volition, out of Chilitia. Two of them (there were supposed to be three, once again) will make three trips today. |
 We are loaded up yet again, heading for the dump site. We will camp there overnight and begin the return to city lights and a bed the following day. While the expedition is just about over, some surprises are still waiting. For a hint at what’s to come tomorrow, our last day, take a look. Across Lake Salinas, away from Pichu Pichu.... |
Yancey Hall
nationalgeographic.com