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Yesterday the trekkers accessed the famed Inca trail under sunny skies and a light breeze, the perfect weather conditions for trekking in the Andes. The four-day forecast called for sunshine and more importantly, no rain. All were emotional and apprehensive as they set out. The started the trek at 7,000 feet and trekked eight miles […]

Great accomplishments generally have their roots in humble beginnings. Today nine adventurous individuals from Minnesota and South Dakota started their trek on the Inca Trail. It is estimated that the 26-mile trek through the Andes is made up of over 82,000 steps and 55,000 stairs. They are hiking to create awareness for the plight of […]

Uziel, “Lady Killer” Guest blog post by Scott Behmer, Smile Network trekker and volunteer. Uziel’s parents are a bit of an unlikely couple, but their shared love for their son was clear. Dads weren’t scarce on registration day, but were far out numbered by moms, aunts and grandmothers. I enjoyed watching Uziel lay in his […]

Guest blog post by Scott Behmer, Smile Network trekker and volunteer Uziel’s parents are a bit of an unlikely couple, but their shared love for their son was clear. Dads weren’t scarce on registration day, but were far out numbered by moms, aunts and grandmothers. I enjoyed watching Uziel lay in his dad’s arms, looking […]

Callie & Cesia Guest blog post by Callie Egland, Smile Network volunteer and trekker. This is Cesia! The happiest little baby! She did not have the familiar “cleft lip” but instead a cleft palate – where the roof of her mouth opens directly to her nasal cavity. Without surgery, her speech would be 80% unintelligible. […]

Guest blog post by Callie Egland, Smile Network volunteer & trekker This is Cesia! The happiest little baby! She did not have the familiar “cleft lip” but instead a cleft palate – where the roof of her mouth opens directly to her nasal cavity. Without surgery, her speech would be 80% unintelligible. Imagine going through […]

Naomi Guest blog post by Scott Behmer, Smile Network trekker and volunteer. Uziel’s parents are a bit of an unlikely couple, but their shared love for their son was clear. Dads weren’t scarce on registration day, but were far out numbered by moms, aunts and grandmothers. I enjoyed watching Uziel lay in his dad’s arms, […]

Guest blog post by Scott Behmer, Smile Network volunteer & trekker Naomi and her mom stayed overnight in the hospital and were there when I arrived around 7:30am. Quiet as before, her mom offered a simple smile and I could tell she was tired and hungry, but she held and rocked her baby for about […]

Great accomplishments generally have their roots in humble beginnings.  Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It is estimated that the 26-mile trek through the Andes, commonly known as the Inca trail, is made up of over 82,000 steps and 55,000 stairs. 17 adventurous […]

Dead women’s pass is not for the faint of heart. By days end each trekker will know what they are made of. They will ascend to this infamous pass high in the Andes and summit about 3pm. They will climb over 3,600 vertical feet to an elevation to nearly 14,000 feet to the summit. Before […]