Today’'s breaking news stories…

Very few people - other than deutschers CJane and Wandel - were even aware that Germany was having an election.

What? Some other Europeans were aware too..

Xcusez-moi, Francis. C'est vrai.

You must be kidding wandeljw.

Zauschneria californica may be well known to our more notable A2K horticultural readers, however; Scarlet (from the Persian säqirlāt) is a bright red color with a hue that is somewhat toward the orange. It is a pure chroma on the color wheel.

Whereas The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic play and adventure novel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution. The story is a precursor to the "disguised superhero" tales such as Zorro.

It should also be brought to the attention of the dear reader that the Pimpernel was not Parisian or even French!

(Editor’s Note) Despite Dutchy leaving the insidious Z to the next unsuspecting contributor, we are indeed thankful that ‘Zorro’ was not used as an alphabetical expediency because I have so often been asked the question:

"But how did you come to drink from the font of A2K?"

And my answer has always been: "It was God's will that I should." And to you liberals’, who perhaps do not believe as I do, I will say, "In the chain of my life, there were so many links, some of which tended towards bringing me to the fulfillment of my destiny…"

A2K remains puzzled, or at least I do.

BLESSINGS

Jespah says I do

Throngs and formal please

Come on! The blue guy is used to that kind of expediency...

I suspect he is fond of the Magyars..

Common sense - a much appreciated attribute, seems to be absent these days with some of the folks. While it is not taught in school, one does acquire it through life's experience. Therefore, sheltering is the enemy.

And a special note goes out to our experienced readers: Satisfaction is the death of desire!

Didn't see Francis squeezing in his common sense there

Ending his post, Tryagain spoke about "the fulfillment of his destiny." I am surprised he did not include the phrase "in accordance with the prophecy."

Funny, it's a lil late for that. The knot was tied back in '92.

Golden wedding anniversary just around the corner for jespah
In other news: Tryagain mounted mismi. The experience, according to his own
words, was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. Will he mount mismi
again? Only after a vigorous workout schedule that will give him a) more endurance and b) more stamina.

Hurry hurry hurry

A2K Blue Moon Travel Expeditions " please ensure bookings are made within the next 48 hours " this offer is limited to a first come, first served basis - book now!

Mismi Mountain

Born Of The Amazon River - 5 Days / 4 Nights

Day 1: Arequipa - Chivay - Tuty
After breakfast, at 8am you will begin your trip to the Colca canyon/Mismi volcano, We leave the city of Arequipa by the road that goes near the snow peak Chachani to Pampas Cañahuas (National Reserve of Vicunas). We also will visit the Sumbay caves, Vizcachani, Chucura (altitude of 4850m), here we can observe the Cordillera del Chilla, the Colca Valley, and the town of Chivay.

After lunch at Chivay, we continue driving on the right bank of the canyon, to the village named Tuti at 3840m located near of the Mismi volcano. Set up the base camp around this place.

Day 2: Tuti - Quebrada Acqenta
At 7am we hike up in the andean landscape, crossing small canyons, past corrals used for herding Alpacas and Llamas, after 6 hours hiking through the small canyons, rivers and will arrive to the quebrada de Acqenta (4500m), where we make camp between huge mountains around.

Day 3: Quebrada Acqenta - Quebrada Karqhuasanta
A half day hike to reach the quebrada Karqhuasanta (4700m) nice views of the mountain range of Shila, canyons lands and the mystical mount of Mismi. Base camp in this place.

Day 4: Summit Day
At 6am beging our two hours climbing to the head of Manantial, the source of the Amazon, the longest and greatest river in the world, a trek of about two hours. From there we continue three hours hiking ascending to the peak of mount Mismi (5585m). From the summit will appreciate the astounding peaks and the Colca Canyon below and later return to base camp and overnight.

Day 5: Lary To Arequipa Or Puno
This day at 7am we descend further into the gorges of the Colca, passing old Inca terracing and canals into warmer weather. We begin to evidence patchwork agriculture and a chance to see agricultural activities close at hand as we approach Lari. From here we will be picked up by our 4WD and taken to a restaurant at Yanque, and travel back to Arequipa.
Optional: To stay overnight at this place and the next day morning to joing a group and visit the condor cross and back to Arequipa or Puno.

TOUR SCHEDULE & COST
DATE TOUR COST
Any day
(April - November) Mismi Mountain - Born of the Amazon River
US$485 per person
Discount 5%: South American Explorers Club Members
Discount 10%: Tour Operators or Travel Agencies Only
Students: US$5 discount only with valid green ISIC card

Minimum 2 Paricipants
Group size: 4 participants per guide

Private service for organized groups departs any day. Highly recommended. Best value.

Included
 Mountain English Speaking Guide
 Porters (Meals + Equipment)
 Private four wheel drive (4X4)
 Camping Equipment (Tent and mattress)
 Climbing gear (Crampons , ice axe and rope)
 Meals on the Mountain
 Dining tent
 Oxygen and first aid kit
 Communication system.

Not Included
 Alcoholics drinks (ice and a slice on the rocks are available)
 Sleeping Bag (sharing optional)
 Breakfast on the first day/lunch on the last day
 Tips for guide and camp staff. (take a map)

Rain Season
December to March. Some days blue sky with good conditions to climb.
Best Time For Climb
April to November, on the rain season same days are with good weather (blue sky) permiting to climb this volcano. before to book your tour please see the weather report.
Advice For Climbers
To have good acclimatization, good physical conditions and good quality winter clothes. One day before all the climbers will have meeting with the mountain guide at our office or in the hotel, who will give a BRIEFING about this climb and also you can check the quality of the climb gear will be used on the mountain.

What You Need To Bring/Carry
 Backpack 65Lt
 Sleeping bag -10 Cº (can be hired from our office of Arequipa, for US$4.00 usd per day)
 Rain gear or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Peru)
 Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
 One complete change of clothing
 Sweater and jacket (something warm)
 Bottle of water 10Lt minimun per person
 Flashlight and batteries
 Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
 Sun block (sun protection cream)
 Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
 Selection of snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc,
 Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
 Swimsuit (if you plan swim in the hot spring of Chivay, after the trek)
 Binoculars
 Personal first aid kit
 Optional: walking sticks or poles.

Porters will cost $20 us dollars per day, to carry your personal items. You will need to carry with you a daypack with your Camera, bottle of water, snacks, a fleece or something warm and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season but as a precaution) and anything you will need before lunch as porters do not walk alongside you. Your bag will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.
Please note there are fines if you give an excess of 18 kgs so try to underpack rather than overpack. You can hire a porter from Arequipa to carry your pack over the base camp.

Positions vacant.
Mountie:
Ass:
Cook: position filled by Mame.
Tea: Oolongsteasup will be providing the "billy"

Protection on the slopes and to carry the packs essential. Apply within!


Please send enquiries to Special Agent Wandel who will check that you are fully fit to travel and that all documentation is in order and your ID is suitable. Please ensure that head honcho Cicerone Imposter is fully informed of how many peak caps need to be sent to Peru. Msr F isable to provide translation services and luinguistics for those who may require help with the language.



Further guidance can be found at http://www.peruadventurestours.com/en/arequipa/mismi_mountain.html or alternatively

please telephone CJ and Jes


at the


and ask to speak to a Legal BEAgle for clarification of visa requirements - viz a viz.

With an offer like this we expect the phones to be busy, please feel free to try again later!

Immediate response required. Demand is high for the "Mount Mismi" experience.

Just In Time

FULLY BOOKED.



Coach will be leaving from outside the A2K Press Office at 1400hrs on the 31st November 2009 Correspondents are asked to file their reports with Editor In Chief, TRYagain, on their return so that he can compare notes.

Enjoy the scenery!

Keeping up with travel logs of late is frightening at best.

Mismi Mountain is quite forbidding though she looks like an easy mount. One should be prepared for serious climate changes ranging from below freezing (not quite frigid) to quite temperate and sunny. They can occur quickly so be prepared - climb at your own risk.

There are accident release of liability forms required. No entry unless signed.

Let's just say that the reward is worth the risk.

May be worth saying as well, that nothing is worthwhile if not somewhat of a challenge

Nearly positive I know where the "Ass" can be found...and I do not mean mine.