Keeping it real while traveling in and around what is probably the single top site in South America seemed like a challenge. Truth is, things came together rather naturally. A good sign I'm getting into a nice travel rhythm.
My new travel mate, Radina, and I set off from Cusco on the local buses for Pisac. … Continue Reading ››
I have really grown to enjoy these long bus journeys. Today I have the front seat on the upper deck, providing a continuous 180 deg view, for crossing the high Andes from Salta, Argentina, to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The first awe-inspiring site was the area around Purmamarca, known as The Land of Seven … Continue Reading ››
Cicuito Chico walk Friday,15th, then the next day Sarah and I hiked up to the well-known climbing area The Frey. CC was a must-do because Sarah had picked up post cards highlighting it from the limited post office supply in San Martin. It ended up being a good inspiration. Beginning at Puerto Panuelos, there are … Continue Reading ››
As I write on the bus from San Martin to Bariloche, passing through the seven lakes region of Neuquen, I realize what a treat it is to have connections in far off places. Pedro's family opening their cottage to us was huge, but there were also little things; like when they gave us a couple … Continue Reading ››
Pedro hooked me up well here. I'm writing from his family's vacation home in Quila Quina, near San Martin de Los Andes. It is a tiny town with only about twenty year round residents. Many are Mapuche with their land protected due to it being in Lanin National Park. The area is perfect for short … Continue Reading ››
While I was traveling along the Caretera Austral I met Dr. Arturo, a Cohaique based physician, who jotted down notes in my journal on things to do along the way. I found them as informative as any guide book and thought I would share them.Villa O'Higgins
Alta Vista Trek: Starts over the Mayer bridge … Continue Reading ››
Gary sums up leg 1 of the trip:
Expedition 2012: Patagonia, Land of Extremes Patagonia is the place of legends: the towering, iconic mountains, raging rivers, deep blue glaciers, wild winds, and miles of open, expansive wilderness. There’s a reason the company Patagonia took its name from this … Continue Reading ››
Navigating thousand meter high granite walled channels barely wider than the yacht; five meter swells, waves crashing over the cabin, crossing the Golfo de Penas; rounding the notorious Cabo Raper in dense fog and rain by radar; to days of gentle winds, gazing at glaciated volcanoes.
Caleta Tortel was our safe harbor, and the start of … Continue Reading ››
'Quien se apura en la Patagonia pierde el tiempo,’ locals say (‘Those who hurry in Patagonia lose time'). We'll likely be here another week, waiting for the high system to move in and shift our winds around from the South.
El Chalten is a tough place to leave. It is an easy to settle into, close knit, climber community, in a spectacular mountain scene; and it is also surrounded by ice sheet to the west and desert to the east. There is always a day bus to a flight out of Calafate, or one of … Continue Reading ››
