Went to London at the weekend for the pre-trip get together. It was well attended and it was nice to meet some of my fellow trekkers! We received a trip briefing on each day of the hike and some important information on the kit we need, the climate, the weather and what it will be like. There was also a slide show with some amazing pictures that just whet your appetite even more. Our trip will be lead by Greg of Discovery Adventure. He has done the Inca Trail twelve times, so this is number 13! He told us about the problems with altitude sickness. He sressed to us how importnant it is not to walk too fast as you can burn yourself out regardless of your fitness. He also told us, rather worringly, that on seven of the trips he has been on at least one or more of the participant has had to be sent back!!!!! Yes, I am still looking forward to going and I am getting excited but I am rather daunted, all at the same time!!!! He kept stressing that the challenge of the trek is being at 4oo0m above sea level which he constantly reminded us is three times higher than Britain's highest moutain Ben Nevis! Interesting fact - the trail involves going up and down somewhere around 78,000 steps.