July 27th
The ski resort overlooking the lake town. Conditions are only ok, and the terrain hardly compares to Chillan.
cc: to blog
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Bariloche
July 25th
Bariloche Argentina on Lago Nahuel Huapi. A proper ski town with year round activities. Probably the biggest in South America, though not known to be best in skiing.
cc: to blog
On to Argentina
July 24th
Through the Puyehue National Park. One of the few passes in southern Chile lake district into Argentina Patagonia.
cc: to blog
Monday, July 25, 2005
Las Trancas
July 23rd
Leaving the valley below the Thermas. Headed south and then east through one of the passes to Argentina.
cc: to blog
Thermas de Chillan
July 20-22nd
I finally made it to the slopes. It's the biggest area in southern Chile, though there has not been new snow for a week. Packed and groomed, and off trail has soft and solid spots. The most accessible off-piste is a long rolling group of gullies and natural pipes, with occasional short steeps.
cc: to blog
Friday, July 22, 2005
22 hour bus
July 17th.
I just left San pedro in the midst of a 3 or 4 days of heavy winds. Should have left yesterday. Though now riding in style on the salon cama bus overnight to Santiago.
Pictures of the dust storm leaving the Atacama, and now the shoreline two hours north of the capital.
cc: to blog
Friday, July 15, 2005
The peak
July 13th.
5916 meters after 1500m rise. Not very technical, though lots of loose rock. This was our guide Marcelo's 348th trip to the top. Here is Andrew, Marcelo, myself and Chris.
cc: to blog
4am
July 13th.
Started very early after a nutritious 5 minute breakfast of a tortilla and a cliff bar. Marcelo keeps us at steady slow pace through the dark with the occasional pause. The day before I was easily winded at a normal hiking pace.
The sun started to come up over Argentina about 2 hours into the ascent. Both lakes are finally visible together. The top is reached after about 5-5.5 hours.
cc: to blog
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Base of volcan
July 12th
A last shot from the base, and salt on the green lake. Tommorow up and out before dawn.
cc: to blog
Laguna Verde
July 12th
At the base of volcan not far from laguna verde (4400 m). Said to be green from the Incas tossing copper away as the were fleeing the conquistadors. Inca ruins right here as well. Three of us will tent here, but our guide Marcadio "macarena" only sleeps outside (30° F).
cc: to blog
Refugio a laguna
July 11th
We are at a rufugio at laguna blanca (4500 m). The plan is to acclimatize for an extra day. Besides us a group of four drove in from Argentina border. They have been riding for 2 days and now all have altitude sickness symptoms. Strong headache and the enough nausea to be sick.
cc: to blog
Laguna blanca
July 11th
The lake is pretty cool. Half frozen half crystallized salt and other minerals. You can walk on it near the shore. Up and around the lake are shades of red, green, brown stone - volcanic and minerals I’m guessing. Only bits of plant life.
cc: to blog
In Boliva
July 11th
I hooked up with a ride to Boliva from an organized tour operator, who handled the chilian crossing and bolivian entry. He also introduced us to the guide that will show the way to the top. Luckily there were two others from usa who wanted the same hike. Even better for me they speak spanish.
cc: to blog
Volcán Licancábur
July 10th
The prominent sight from town. Tommorow I`ll head into Boliva and stop at Laguna Verde, before an early rise to the top (5,916 m). It`s a prix fix tour, so I`m headed to the bar in search of others to split the cost.
cc: to blog
San Pedro de Atacama
July 10th
Made it to the desert town oasis. Hot and dry as advertised.
cc: to blog
Sunday, July 10, 2005
I flew to Antofagasta last night, then 3hr bus (2 mil pesos) to the seedy crossroads town of Calama for the night. Then to San Pedro de Atacama in the desert. Maybe higher up in elevation
to altiplano or a volcano on the Bolivia border. 4-5 days I figure before working back to Santiago via Bus.
Here are the mountains seen on one the rare sunny days from Santiago. Still smog haze blocks the view.
to altiplano or a volcano on the Bolivia border. 4-5 days I figure before working back to Santiago via Bus.
Here are the mountains seen on one the rare sunny days from Santiago. Still smog haze blocks the view.
I took the 340 peso bus to Los Condes neighborhood, where all the ski shops are on the way to the mountain. Bought some used semi-freestyle boards for 80 mil pesos, and then worked in the shop to mount my bindings. They were all very amused, and the head guy would not let me use the drill. He was the old master speaking only spanish. It was more than an amusing transaction. I was limited to "no, no sé, si, allí, aquí, ect... perfecto" and a lot of pointing. Not many telemark skis have been seen the area.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)