May 29, 2001
Location - Huariconca, Bolivia

We have been moving more people and rations up to the "lost city" site. The track conditions have however, deteriorated with the recent rains and they have become very difficult to climb.

The mules are living up to their reputations for stubbornness and are refusing to go up the paths they tackled in dry weather a few days ago.

The local Indians are also reluctant to accompany us to the site for fear of "vipers" and those who agree to come want more money. Mike How reports that the site is crawling with snakes and the hot weather has brought more out.

Team spirit however, is great and morale is high despite the challenging conditions we've been facing. Bill Holmes and others at Guanay have been informed of other important sites, but we shall concentrate on this one. A set of stone steps, possibly from Inca times, on the way to Smiths Crossing are proving impassable for the pack animals.

We dine on as much local food as possible, mostly soya, dried llama meat, palm hearts from the forest, nuts, rice, pasta, eggs and whenever possible tangerines. We miss the meat products we were prohibited from bringing over due to the foot and mouth disease.

Community aid tasks continue.