Preseason in the surf town of Pichilemu.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Pichilemu, Chile
Preseason in the surf town of Pichilemu.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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 Im guessing. Only bits of plant life.
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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.
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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.
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San Pedro de Atacama
July 10th
Made it to the desert town oasis. Hot and dry as advertised.
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Sunday, July 10, 2005
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.