Showing posts with label Desert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Desert. Show all posts

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Barreal, San Juan



North of Mendoza and one hundred kilometers into the deserts of San Juan province. The isolated and touristic town of Barreal. Nearby is an ancient lake, which is now white mud flats of El Leoncito National Park.

Monday, August 22, 2005

Cachi

August 18th

Day trip to elevated town of Cachi. One block wide, so basically just a nice shady plaza and a large old cemetery on the outskirts. Nice ride switch backing above one of the regions Calchaquíe valleys and through a high plateau.

Tomorrow one last overnight bus and a quick flight to Buenos Aires.

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Thursday, July 14, 2005

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 I’m 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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