Pucon
The two volcanoes in Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas
View from our tent night #2
The Torres
Glaciers in the background
Backpacking in Torres Del Paine 
Sunset in Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales
Moreno GlacierMonday, October 19, 2009
Pictures
PuconThe two volcanoes in Puerto VarasPuerto VarasView from our tent night #2The TorresGlaciers in the backgroundBackpacking in Torres Del Paine Sunset in Puerto Natales
Puerto NatalesMoreno Glacier
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Final Countdown
As we sit in El Calafate, reflecting on our trip and attempting to strategically plan out the last 11 days of our adventure...it is difficult to imagine what life will be like when we return to the motherland. Fortunately for us, we have seen and experienced more things in the 38 days we´ve been here that I had ever imagined possible, here´s some of the unexpected awesomeness; whale/elephant seal watching, riding a glacier, bike wine tours, SKIING!
Although snow is falling back home and winter is around the corner, continuing to travel for another 4 months, like everyone else down here, would be amazing. But, we do have over ten days left to get from the south of Patagonia to the middle of Chile. SO, tomorrow we are taking off from El Calafate to a national park in Chile called Torres del Paine. Thanks to a suggestion from a friend, we are travelling to a land of jagged peaks, glaciers, free camping, and unlimited possibilities. We plan on heading there for a few days to trek/explore and then start making our way north zig-zagging between Argentina and Chile. Some possible stops are San Carlos de Bariloche, Puerto Valero, who knows. For the two of us, time and money is going too fast, but our smiles never seem to go away...
To the adventure of a lifetime and a lifetime of adventure....
(can´t wait for ski season in Colorado)
Although snow is falling back home and winter is around the corner, continuing to travel for another 4 months, like everyone else down here, would be amazing. But, we do have over ten days left to get from the south of Patagonia to the middle of Chile. SO, tomorrow we are taking off from El Calafate to a national park in Chile called Torres del Paine. Thanks to a suggestion from a friend, we are travelling to a land of jagged peaks, glaciers, free camping, and unlimited possibilities. We plan on heading there for a few days to trek/explore and then start making our way north zig-zagging between Argentina and Chile. Some possible stops are San Carlos de Bariloche, Puerto Valero, who knows. For the two of us, time and money is going too fast, but our smiles never seem to go away...
To the adventure of a lifetime and a lifetime of adventure....
(can´t wait for ski season in Colorado)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Post Peru
A quick update:
So, we have ventured from the Incan land of Peru into Chile surf country, called Iquique. It is a super sweet beach town in northern Chile that would be sooo sweeet to check out in their summer time, with plenty of surfing, paragliding, and bodyboarding. We took a quick break there, exploring the beaches on bikes and watching the beautiful Pacific from the beach...Unfortunately the timing wasn´t right for either surfing or paragliding.
Next, we took a flight to Santiago to cut out a 27 hour busride that we couldn´t afford to waste the the time on (even though we did miss the northern town of San Pedro and the beautiful salt flats). In Santiago, we were able to explore the city a bit, which is a lot like Denver, but closer to the mountains and a little bit more spread out. Fortunately, it is the end of the ski season, so we booked a trip up to the mountains for 2 days to check out the mountains...incredible, I´ll post pictures tomorrow. Although the snow was springy (aka, slush and choppy hardpack), it was unbelievable to be skiing in Chile. I still have to tell myself everyday that I am in South America everday. It is sooo incredible.
SO, yesterday we arrived in Mendoza, Argentina to a hostel where we met two thirty something year old Aussies that we´ve palled up with. With them, we´ve done a winery tour all today and have ended up in a nice dorm style hostel tonight. Today we sampled delicious wine, olive oil, absinthe, port, dessert wine, irish cream, chocolates, and local cuisine. Mendoza is a great smaller city tucked against the Andes like a boulder/denver mix.
Tomorrow we are planning to walk around the town a bit, and maybe Sunday we will take a bus to Aconqagua - the 22,0000 ft peak only 4 hours away....
So, we have ventured from the Incan land of Peru into Chile surf country, called Iquique. It is a super sweet beach town in northern Chile that would be sooo sweeet to check out in their summer time, with plenty of surfing, paragliding, and bodyboarding. We took a quick break there, exploring the beaches on bikes and watching the beautiful Pacific from the beach...Unfortunately the timing wasn´t right for either surfing or paragliding.
Next, we took a flight to Santiago to cut out a 27 hour busride that we couldn´t afford to waste the the time on (even though we did miss the northern town of San Pedro and the beautiful salt flats). In Santiago, we were able to explore the city a bit, which is a lot like Denver, but closer to the mountains and a little bit more spread out. Fortunately, it is the end of the ski season, so we booked a trip up to the mountains for 2 days to check out the mountains...incredible, I´ll post pictures tomorrow. Although the snow was springy (aka, slush and choppy hardpack), it was unbelievable to be skiing in Chile. I still have to tell myself everyday that I am in South America everday. It is sooo incredible.
SO, yesterday we arrived in Mendoza, Argentina to a hostel where we met two thirty something year old Aussies that we´ve palled up with. With them, we´ve done a winery tour all today and have ended up in a nice dorm style hostel tonight. Today we sampled delicious wine, olive oil, absinthe, port, dessert wine, irish cream, chocolates, and local cuisine. Mendoza is a great smaller city tucked against the Andes like a boulder/denver mix.
Tomorrow we are planning to walk around the town a bit, and maybe Sunday we will take a bus to Aconqagua - the 22,0000 ft peak only 4 hours away....
Friday, September 18, 2009
Post Parentals Equals Cheap and Unplanned
As our journey continues, we realize the accomdation benefits of having everything planned out. Numerous nightime bus rides have become overbaring with horrible movies, such as Cheetah girls dubbed in Spanish and having NO IDEA where we were or when we would get to our destination, and thus we´re now ready for some ¨shredding the gnar time¨. Tomorrow we leave for Santiago, via Flight WOOO as Tyler says and my dad attempts to say. We are debating Paragliding due to the cloudy weather and the short time we have here in Iqueque. Chile seems a lot more structured. Two lane highways, less souvenir stands, and nicer cars gives it a more settled feeling. I have much appreciation for the sole as the pesos goes a lot less farther. Peru was a pleasant suprise as Chile is a much appreciated magestic place.
You might ask what´s next for Tyler and Carleigh? Well here is a possible itinerary, but than again nothing has been planned further than a day and every destination is a wild goose hunt minus the killing.
Jumping off a mountain...
Shredding some Gnar... ask Molly if you don´t know what this is
Drinking Vino in Mendoza...
Following me Amiga Tracy in BA...
and most definitely smiling every minute of the way.
Ciao
You might ask what´s next for Tyler and Carleigh? Well here is a possible itinerary, but than again nothing has been planned further than a day and every destination is a wild goose hunt minus the killing.
Jumping off a mountain...
Shredding some Gnar... ask Molly if you don´t know what this is
Drinking Vino in Mendoza...
Following me Amiga Tracy in BA...
and most definitely smiling every minute of the way.
Ciao
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Machu Picchu Photo Trek With the Parentals
Day 1: Downhill biking from 14,000 feet for 50 miles. Half was a switch back infested, windy paved road; the second half was a ¨dirt road,¨ aka an offroading trail with semis and buses.
Day 2: 7 hour hike from a little town called Santa Maria, to the glorious hot springs resort outside of Santa Theresa. At one breakpoint in the hike there was a Wambat, very curious creature that chugged bottled milk.
Day 3: From Santa Theresa we took a newly openned Inka trail up the backside of a mountain to the 13,00o foot peak. On the other side of the mountain, we got our first glimpse of Machu Picchu from 2 miles away-one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen. At the end of the day on the bottom of the valley, we took a train to Aguas Caliente to prepare for Machu Picchu the next morning.
Day 4: Up bright and early and full of excitement/anticipation, we boarded a bus to the most breathtaking spot - Machu Picchu. It is impossible to describe, and even more beautiful than pictures, however, it is turning super touristy, but it is completely clean and serene.
Pictures to come, once we find a computer that is faster than this one....Right now we are sitting by a fireplace in Puno, Peru. We just said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Mathis, and had a long but beautiful day on Lake Titikaka. Tomorrow we head to Arequipa to check out some 3 meter condors and the deepest canyon in the world.
Lake Titicaca or Lago Titikaka
Andean Condor
Colca Canyon
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