From the refugio it is about eleven kilometers to the popular La Junta. The hike is a repetition of yesterday’s hike: a muddy path, trenches, rainforest and a few river crossings. Continue Reading…
It’s peak season in Bariloche. What once was a destination for the adventurous traveller, is now a party destination for the young and a luxurious destination for the little less young.
This is my fourth visit to the town and my previous visit wasn’t memorable. I believe I’m a bit too old for scruffy bunk beds in a cellar, rancid bathrooms and too drunken and too noisy roommates. Continue Reading…
Today it’s cold: Tarptents’ fly is covered in a layer of ice and a fresh layer snow has fallen a bit higher up the mountain. Leaving the warmth of my sleeping bag is hard: the only way to get to the other side of Laguna CAB is through Laguna CAB.
Around 9:30 I’m ready to leave. Wearing every piece of Gore-Tex and warm clothing I carry. Continue Reading…
‘People don’t hike this trail on their own. You should go with a group. There are no way markers’, states the NP Nahuel Huapi-Officina worker, when I ask where to register my trip. Continue Reading…
From Santiago the night bus brings me about 1000 kilometers to the south. Arriving at the chilly Puerto Montt bus station at 6.30 am I can’t say that I’m fit for a hike. First there’s a second bus, to Ralún, which is close to climbers paradise La Junta near Cochamó. Since it’s peak season I’m definitely not the only one waiting at the bus stop. Fortunately, the bus turns out not to be one, but two buses. Continue Reading…
‘No absolutely not! You’re sola. You’re una chica. No. Alone, here in the mountains? No. There are Pumas! It’s a big trip. You’ll have to walk all the way’. Continue Reading…
Tsjop… Tsjop… Tsjop… This is a new sound! Next to the trail: fresh chopped bushes. An arriero is busy waving around his scythe.’¡Ola !’, I shout, because he’s not aware of my presence. We chat a little. ‘Where am I coming from and where do I go?’. ‘That’s the old route’, is what I understand. Well, that sounds promising! Continue Reading…
Today it’s supposed to be raining. Even though the sky is covered with impressive, dark clouds, it’s not. I’m happy with the clouds. The trail is like a XXL cat litter box: white and dusty sand and small rocks. This stage is very exposed; there are no trees, there’s no shade and only where water flows there’s some colour to be seen. Continue Reading…
The bus to NP Altos de Lircay is full of young people carrying camping gear, food and alcoholic beverages. It’s weekend and vacanciones in Chile and this bus is on it’s way to a National Park: what else could I have expected? Continue Reading…
Good morning! The blue sky is back again, vulcán Villaricca is visible again.. Now and then she burps out a cloud of sulphur. Continue Reading…
Gemaakt met in Haarlem