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
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
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
July 12th
A last shot from the base, and salt on the green lake. Tommorow up and out before dawn.
cc: to blog
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
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
