About This Route
Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 meters (13,828 feet), crowns Day 2 of the Inca Trail with punishing switchbacks through puna grassland. Birders thrill to Bearded Mountain-Tanager, Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant, and soaring Andean Condors. Descend to Pacaymayo (3,600m) for 10-12 km effort; thin air amplifies every breath, but rewards include endemic avifauna amid Inca stonework.
Safety Considerations
Highest soroche vulnerability here; symptoms hit fast above 4,000m, follow NPS high-altitude protocols: ascend no more than 500m/day net gain. Hypoxia causes falls on narrow, exposed paths; clip to fixed ropes if dizzy. Lightning storms brew afternoons; summit by 10 AM. Cold winds chill to freezing; wool base layers essential. Avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds; step lightly per Leave No Trace.
Essential Gear
Carry Black Diamond trekking poles, Arc'teryx windproof shell, thermal gloves, energy gels, UV glasses, and a spotter scope for condors like Vortex Razor HD.
Emergency Tips
Hypothermia: strip wet layers, insulate, share body heat. AMS crisis: oxygen canister or rapid descent to Pacaymayo camp; signal with flares to Inca Trail rangers.