I began working on the Inca Trail in the mid-1990s, first as a porter. My very first experience on the trail, however, was in 1992. Back then, trekking the Inca Trail was very different from what it is today. Before the year 2000, hikers could explore the trail independently. There was no requirement to hire a guide or book through a tour company.
For those of us working on the trail, international travelers brought with them all kinds of fascinating gear that was rarely seen in Peru at the time. Portable camping stoves, insulated flasks, lightweight aluminum cups, and countless outdoor gadgets. Every trek seemed to introduce me to something new.
One item, however, stood out more than any other: the famous Swiss Army Knife. It seemed that almost every foreign hiker carried one. With its iconic red handle and white Swiss cross, it looked like the ultimate outdoor tool. It contained knives, screwdrivers, saws, scissors, and other clever attachments that I had never seen before. To me, it was one of the most impressive inventions imaginable.
Then one day, I discovered something even better.
During a trek, one of my clients noticed how much effort I was putting into repairing equipment and solving the countless small problems that arise on a multi-day hike. At the end of the journey, he surprised me with a gift: a Leatherman multi-tool.
I had never seen one before.
From the moment I held it in my hands, I was amazed. It was sturdy, practical, and incredibly versatile. In my eyes, it was even more impressive than the Swiss Army Knife I had admired for so many years.
That Leatherman quickly became one of my most valuable possessions. It helped me repair tent zippers, fix tent poles, adjust sleeping bag zippers, and even repair hiking boots that occasionally fell apart on the trail. On a remote route like the Inca Trail, where even a small equipment failure can become a major inconvenience, it proved invaluable time and time again.
More than thirty years have passed since then, and I still have that same Leatherman at home. I have received many gifts throughout my life, but few have meant as much to me as that one. It was not only an incredibly useful tool; it became a lasting reminder of the kindness of a traveler and of a special era in the history of the Inca Trail.
“Every time I see it, I am transported back to those early days on the trail, when each trek brought new discoveries, new friendships, and unforgettable adventures in the Andes.“
