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