Saturday, March 31, 2012
Where are the pictures?
Apologies but I don't seem to be able to
remember to snap the iPhone when hiking. Hopefully I'll be able to go back and edit in the many pics I've been taking with 'the camera' proper.
Note I'm up to date. James and I leave here, SP, monday morning headed to Bolivia. Still trying to understand if a visa is necessary or just baksheesh. The border is only 40km away to the east.
remember to snap the iPhone when hiking. Hopefully I'll be able to go back and edit in the many pics I've been taking with 'the camera' proper.
Note I'm up to date. James and I leave here, SP, monday morning headed to Bolivia. Still trying to understand if a visa is necessary or just baksheesh. The border is only 40km away to the east.
Day 5, 3/31 Lagos Miscati and Minuques
After an unfamiliar sleep in a comfortable bed at a comfortable altitude Chris picked us up for drive southwest back above 12kft to see the two lakes
Chad and James talked almost seriously about coming back to do the 2km vertical one day ascent of this peak pictures here. I maintained radio silence.
Lunch in small village Socaire? Looking west over the great salt flats
Long trip but worth it
Chad and James talked almost seriously about coming back to do the 2km vertical one day ascent of this peak pictures here. I maintained radio silence.
Lunch in small village Socaire? Looking west over the great salt flats
Long trip but worth it
Hot Springs
Forgot to mention that the hike ended near the washed out (flooded) hot baths (see map). We followed the river past the ruins and took an ad hoc dunk in between the reeds on the river bank. Bonus activity. The short hike out of the canyon then Chris and truck are waiting on the road to Guatin and on to SP
All credit to Krassna's navigation today. Not many distinct landmarks, no tech assistance, and many many similar canyons that weren't the right ones. Like I said, no trail.
All credit to Krassna's navigation today. Not many distinct landmarks, no tech assistance, and many many similar canyons that weren't the right ones. Like I said, no trail.
Location:Puritanos
Day 4, 3/30 M to Guatin
Usual breakfast after unusually sleepless night. Headed out across the altiplano on a more easterly direction. Complete with Chris's nemesis, Krassna's doggie. Ant thought of wild life photography was gone for the day. There are a few upland geese who are impressed by the dog's speed. Even the vicuña had to shift into high gear to drop her. After an hour this hike was off-piste rolling over some serious difficult walking, topping rocks and rolling boulders. The scenery was the best of the three days - magnificent
Location:Caracoles,San Pedro de Atacama,Chile
Day 3, 3/29 RG to Machuca
My medical staff disqualified me from today's hike. The hardest. Early similar canyon with much steadier and consistent climbing. Emerging on the altiplano at 12kft+. Much more attractive vistas.
Lodging is very nice stone hut and Chris had a nearly complete kitchen to prepare awesome quesadillas. Sleeping above 12kft is challenging at the best of times
Lodging is very nice stone hut and Chris had a nearly complete kitchen to prepare awesome quesadillas. Sleeping above 12kft is challenging at the best of times
Location:Caracoles,San Pedro de Atacama,Chile
Friday, March 30, 2012
Day 2, SB to Rio Grande
Similar day crossing the river many many times. There is some scenery at the end of this isn't there?
The destination is a very small town that like everything else in the area was devastated by the recent huge rains.
Camped in a church yard but the banos were victim to the flood.
Spaggers with made from scratch mushroom sauce. Excellent.
(last night was steak, salmon and blanquillo ( delicious fish))
The destination is a very small town that like everything else in the area was devastated by the recent huge rains.
Camped in a church yard but the banos were victim to the flood.
Spaggers with made from scratch mushroom sauce. Excellent.
(last night was steak, salmon and blanquillo ( delicious fish))
Day 1 4/27, SP to San Bartolo
Many river crossings (15?) not much altitude gain but 20km of hiking in a canyon
Camped attend in river. Chris's cooking skills are impressive. He is "logistics". His girlfriend is the guide. Great team. We are in good hands.
Spectacular stars.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Moon Valley hike ...
Our two guides picked us up at 4:30pm and we headed to Valle de Luna. Got out of the van at Tres Marias and headed off when we were recalled by a ranger. The recent heavy rains mean we might leave foot prints! Perhaps they could have mentioned that when we bought the permits
Plan B was enacted and we a hike in the Valle de Muerte. All very nice. Our guide is excellent but no one can remember her Croatian name. Klassa maybe?
Plan B was enacted and we a hike in the Valle de Muerte. All very nice. Our guide is excellent but no one can remember her Croatian name. Klassa maybe?
SP's main street
And our wine selection dinner (Chad and me only, of course)
Location:Caracoles,San Pedro de Atacama,Chile
SP de Atacama
Chris met us at Calama airport and drove us the 2hrs to SP. Calama, home to the largest open pit copper mine in the world and the 130000 residents. Not too pretty.
SP has just 3000 residents and is a hopping tourist destination - albeit in its infancy. I think I posted a picture of the main drag yesterday. There really only is one street with a number of restaurants. All very funky till you check the prices. Not cheap - $154.000 - for dinner
Today we are hanging around until 4:30pm when our guide (Chris's girl friend) meets us for a short hike in the moon valley. Interesting to try my bronchitic lungs under load at 8000ft.
Starting tomorrow we'll be out under canvas and climbing 7hr/day to 13451ft
Chad doing email
SP has just 3000 residents and is a hopping tourist destination - albeit in its infancy. I think I posted a picture of the main drag yesterday. There really only is one street with a number of restaurants. All very funky till you check the prices. Not cheap - $154.000 - for dinner
Today we are hanging around until 4:30pm when our guide (Chris's girl friend) meets us for a short hike in the moon valley. Interesting to try my bronchitic lungs under load at 8000ft.
Starting tomorrow we'll be out under canvas and climbing 7hr/day to 13451ft
Chad doing email
Location:Caracoles,San Pedro de Atacama,Chile
Sunday, March 25, 2012
First run in w/ law
James gets arrested for importing honey and apple. Here he is being processed before seeing the judge.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Getting Ready
Time to take this bad boy out for some field trials. Ok, desert trials.
Location:Crescent Dr,Palo Alto,United States
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