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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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.

Statues in Santiago

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.

More of my wanderings on the last day in town. Some of the graffiti in Bellavista Barrio, Santiago