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

Location:Caracoles,San Pedro de Atacama,Chile