Clambering up the other side was a lot easier than sliding down had been - and when we eventually reached the coca clearing, I finally got a chance to catch my breath and to talk to our companions.
I never learnt their names - they thought it was probably better for all of us if they remained anonymous.
After all, as far as the authorities were concerned, they had given up their illegal coca cultivation and were now growing coffee and bananas. Which to be fair, they were, but as well as the coca, not instead of it.