The final climb to the col was as rewarding as it was challenging. At 3,250 meters, the air was thin, with only 14% oxygen compared to sea level. Like many others coming from lower altitudes, I struggled to maintain a steady pace. A group of cheerful Spanish runners helped lift everyoneโs spirits, cheering loudly as we all trudged upward.
Being hours away from any modern civilization, kilometres deep into the jungle and hundreds of meters down in an unknown valley away from cell towers and worries of modern life. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.