Ballard t-shirts, hoodies and jackets are popular around here, but they’ve been sighted around the world. Ballard-based Go South Adventures recently took a group of tourists along the Classic Inca Trail with the leader proudly wearing “Ballard” on his chest.
“Ballard represents worldwide,” owner Troy Glennon emailed us. “Here is a quick video of mostly Ballard residents celebrating on the Inca Trail.”
Ballardites celebrate along the Inca Trail
Shake it, Ballardites!
I've done that same route, and it's a tough hike at very high altitude. Notice the porters in the first shot — I've seen those guys /running/ up the same route I was wheezing up with at least 60 pounds on their backs. There are theoretical limits on how much they can be forced to carry, but just about all the companies cheat.
“Ballard t-shirts, hoodies and jackets are popular around here, but they’ve been sighted around the world.”
Seriously?
At least that trail looks complete!
The MyBallard blog is part of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce – which is suing to stop the missing link trail right here in Ballard!
Gurple, I agree the porters are amazing and interacting with them is a great part of the trip. You bring up a good point about the treatment porters . Go South Adventures has a reputation for taking care of our passengers and staff (guides, cooks & porters), that includes strictly adhering to the regulations that set porter weight limits (55 lbs = 44lbs trek gear + 11lbs personal gear). Thanks for noting an import consideration of the trek.
Good on you guys — on the whole I was very pleased with our company (to be clear, a completely different company, NOT Go South Adventures) and how they treated the cooks and porters, but I was sad to see them have a whining tourist carry her over-weight bag just past the checkpoint and then offload it onto an overburdened porter.
This is a complex topic; those porters work so hard I can't imagine doing what they do. But they make wages that (from my understanding) are a lot better than most other people in their communities can hope for. Interacting with that economy must be fascinating; I hope it's not all grim.
it is kinda funny…. i have wanted the completion of the trail for quite some time. but the more and more people go out of their way and bitch and moan in every place possible… i am starting to change my mind.
if pho wants it so badly as to resort to childish hijacks every time possible, i think i am against it.
GO BCOC
RE: Wages – you understand correctly, wages paid to Inca Trail porters are usually much higher than could be had during the same time period in their home communities. I have led over 15 trips on the Inca Trail and have met great guides and cooks that started out as porters. Those individuals saw the opportunity that adventure tourism represented and have worked hard to move into more highly skilled (and paid) positions.
Oh yes! We know how to get down! Troy…I am so ready for another GoSouthAdventure!!
You're not a Superior Court Judge are you? Thanks to the Chamber and their supporting member businesses like MyBallard, only one person gets to decide and it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks.
Doubt many Superior Court Judges call themselves “gooner”
I know you're just kidding about changing your mind (if you really were/are a trail supporter) but as a fellow supporter and occasional cyclist I too am getting a little annoyed at the poor manners of phostopgo.
I have thought this exact same thing. Often.
This trip was one of the best of my life and Troy knows how to treat you. I just can't say enough about Mr. Troy and Go South Adventures. They ROCK
Actually, SPG you are pretty much the most annoying person here.