tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6961132892818060012024-02-26T19:08:22.952+03:00ExpedEvac ExpeditionsTrekking and Expedition Consulting.
Exploring and trekking remote areas and experienced in expedition planning and logistics. Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-58177534790284470342024-02-10T11:38:00.004+03:002024-02-10T11:42:12.722+03:00Countdown to Istanbul - Start of the Silk Road<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ln9XuC9eyYGCHePZezVTXau54EXm3sDKpuaeCzjLO8AH598sie3U0EhdHJXIiZV2kcRBWV-m_-_j6xJlCNVFvEvcu0VzjAjfgKoH30UdTV5FsUrdv-HjJbzcJa79qJfuT6LDmEsEPT6jHtk1VNwQaKgIFVAclagI6ZGY-kOM3rDCA-nfhQn-v0aPk2k/s1600/Feb%2024%20Update.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ln9XuC9eyYGCHePZezVTXau54EXm3sDKpuaeCzjLO8AH598sie3U0EhdHJXIiZV2kcRBWV-m_-_j6xJlCNVFvEvcu0VzjAjfgKoH30UdTV5FsUrdv-HjJbzcJa79qJfuT6LDmEsEPT6jHtk1VNwQaKgIFVAclagI6ZGY-kOM3rDCA-nfhQn-v0aPk2k/w640-h360/Feb%2024%20Update.png" width="640" /></a></p>(<i>for more information on this expedition, see my website dedicated to the expedition at <a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Road of Storytellers</a></i><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting very excited...and nervous again haha Istanbul time getting closer!</span></p><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Istanbul Dates</h4><p style="text-align: justify;">Accommodation is booked for 1-4 March 2024 in Istanbul and last week I got my Turkish eVisa which took me all of 10minutes to get. Sadly only for 30 days in a 180 day cycle but hey, it's better than nothing!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Transport also just booked now this morning (8 Feb) from Tbilisi on the 29th of February. This is a Long bus ride that arrives the following day late afternoon. Taking the bus though means I don't have to clear out fuel from the MSR stove and bottle and of course, a backpack is easier for bus transport than a flight.</p><h4 style="text-align: justify;">New Backpack</h4><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y3FNMOy8-uv8Kz_D2M7fMf3pxOrsp4psMcleRzg817MNA6hOMUIusgBgWd2wf7jji0AknjbZHRu4FF-WKnHOtWtdbKjNyOEfklhqDKVgoWCujLuhRqULS2ShZhylwLL0nWP2tLyl3FTB6QwJMs84ZhIjown23_z1SblKyiOuBk-4dHEZtUumZfZA-og/s4032/IMG_E2465.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Osprey Aether Plus 85" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y3FNMOy8-uv8Kz_D2M7fMf3pxOrsp4psMcleRzg817MNA6hOMUIusgBgWd2wf7jji0AknjbZHRu4FF-WKnHOtWtdbKjNyOEfklhqDKVgoWCujLuhRqULS2ShZhylwLL0nWP2tLyl3FTB6QwJMs84ZhIjown23_z1SblKyiOuBk-4dHEZtUumZfZA-og/w225-h400/IMG_E2465.JPG" title="Osprey Aether Plus 85" width="225" /></a></div>Speaking of which, a couple of months of a lot of hours (my online work) and a bit of saving has made it possible for me to buy an excellent and high quality backpack built for the long road and the potential weight of around 30kg. I purchased the <b>Osprey Aether Plus 85</b> - an absolute beast when it comes to features and quality and, as a bonus, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.<br /><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2v0pyVtm9oU3hSb90pEGUnbYlP0F1FoCvBlulb5MRvBD7zhU4SN8dkYUjzO_9CWlOLcUpvhYYNjEHOiAGkccfsi_7yaqrQedxQst_XV1cl53T1C_ZlyslKDLspfA28lhdx2ulF8dJuJVtAiNKtKR_euueTP_TeSLyl6e444QF0WOZXGX4QIeMYiR4J4/s4032/IMG_E2466.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Osprey Hydraulic 3.0 Liter" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2v0pyVtm9oU3hSb90pEGUnbYlP0F1FoCvBlulb5MRvBD7zhU4SN8dkYUjzO_9CWlOLcUpvhYYNjEHOiAGkccfsi_7yaqrQedxQst_XV1cl53T1C_ZlyslKDLspfA28lhdx2ulF8dJuJVtAiNKtKR_euueTP_TeSLyl6e444QF0WOZXGX4QIeMYiR4J4/w180-h320/IMG_E2466.JPG" title="Osprey Hydraulic 3.0 Liter" width="180" /></a></div>Expensive at around US$480 but looking at it as a long term investment that will last and I believe is up to the challenges I'll be throwing at it. While I was at it, decided it was time to venture into the realm of "camelbak" hydration systems - where the water is in the pack with the tube coming through to the shoulder strap (I'm sure you all know that already haha). Anyway, I got the Osprey Hydraulic 3.0 liter which is obviously made for the Osprey packs. I've never used these before but it does negate an extra water bottle that may/may not fall out from side pockets. Of course I will still carry the tin cup on the outside so I can just stop and drink at streams or water points...a convenient excuse to take a break.<div><br /><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Dilijan, Armenia</h4><p style="text-align: justify;">I want to test the pack a wee bit too, so next week I'm heading off to Dilijan National park in Armenia for a week where I'll try out some day trails in the snow with the pack - this will also help me get accustomed to all the adjustment straps/toggles which Osprey has brilliantly placed in such a way that one can do these adjustments all while the pack is on your back.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0Tbilisi, Georgia41.6938026 44.80151679999998713.383568763821152 9.6452667999999875 70.004036436178836 79.957766799999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-55794082868597747452023-04-20T18:13:00.001+03:002023-04-20T18:13:24.733+03:00Where is Home for You?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIbWcDgBg-WEJh_e4b5O1ys91kmw40fa10lM13OHf_LOCGfOUNjLMFDB9zqB2L8URFtdl1kJiF9ofO7N1TUQhDbltws5GnVL2GNkKIhz8JglvM-0C6FbRPf0XeF3Ox-RMvGi2YZNCUQuIWFZO6nB091YY_tNO7yeo13vE5WEV3vTsHQKjEf3uJKQ1/s1600/Where%20is%20home%204%20you.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIbWcDgBg-WEJh_e4b5O1ys91kmw40fa10lM13OHf_LOCGfOUNjLMFDB9zqB2L8URFtdl1kJiF9ofO7N1TUQhDbltws5GnVL2GNkKIhz8JglvM-0C6FbRPf0XeF3Ox-RMvGi2YZNCUQuIWFZO6nB091YY_tNO7yeo13vE5WEV3vTsHQKjEf3uJKQ1/w640-h360/Where%20is%20home%204%20you.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <span style="text-align: justify;">Probably one of the most common questions I get which I never seem to give a satisfactory answer too it seems. Recently with my return to South Africa from Argentina, this question got a “new” twist on it, “<b>How does it feel to be going home after 9 years in South America?</b>”</span><p style="text-align: justify;">To give a little bit of background; I’ve been travelling constantly around 23 years now during which I spent probably a total of 18 months in South Africa. Already a few years ago after having been outside the country for about 4 years, I returned to South Africa and realised when queuing for immigration at the South African airport, it didn’t feel like I was returning to my home country.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This was a bit confusing, and I tangled with this for awhile and the thoughts about whether this meant that I was now a “traitor” of the country where I was born and raised. Eventually I sorted this in my head that not feeling that it was my home country wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, this was just a natural consequence of constantly living outside of South Africa.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrSAFbKWY3pQ5acZZX0zT5fwlTTeFPoJvT_wRgbfEDf1XdQANRPzzGT84yIIjoeYSH7PlP0y4lt-CMYOQPWbxx6wSVYZTncql4Dy-Kqrtziu8-YdP1R5STV9QzQ4w9X_V0NnIgfQ6A7PuPKwANjmLoDsI-qju9i05aJESGbs1UXfe6g9vlcJrhqpG/s2048/Airport%20sunset%202947%20Guarulhos%20Intl%20Airport,%20Sao%20Paulo%20(Brazil).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrSAFbKWY3pQ5acZZX0zT5fwlTTeFPoJvT_wRgbfEDf1XdQANRPzzGT84yIIjoeYSH7PlP0y4lt-CMYOQPWbxx6wSVYZTncql4Dy-Kqrtziu8-YdP1R5STV9QzQ4w9X_V0NnIgfQ6A7PuPKwANjmLoDsI-qju9i05aJESGbs1UXfe6g9vlcJrhqpG/w640-h480/Airport%20sunset%202947%20Guarulhos%20Intl%20Airport,%20Sao%20Paulo%20(Brazil).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sao Paulo's Guarulhos Airport where I first arrived in South America in 2014<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: justify;">South America</h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Now, I was returning after 9 years in South America where I had spoken Spanish for the majority of the time with English pretty much a second language I used with other tourists from abroad. To top this off, I spent almost 4 years on the Island of Tierra del Fuego that is part Chilean and part Argentinian. During this time, I had visited both sides of the island and since the Covid lockdowns, remained in Ushuaia (the Argentinian part) for about 3 years.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">During my stay on Tierra del Fuego, and more specifically in Ushuaia, this became the place where I’d stayed the longest period in pretty much of my life – 4 years! I felt happy and content and was surrounded by opportunities of new challenges in addition to it being like paradise in my eyes with mountains, forest, rivers and ocean all in one place…the people living there made it even more special for me…this was a place I felt comfortable calling “Home”!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq2N2or1uSPiTMt4J6RDmkxbF9JTz6xhTvTRAe335Ks-ffmPFEW3QU4zCI5QzVR8rh2zTASd1Kz0clRRVw1MJOb7w14qkDl6_YlbB7F5AHy-Ue5-Hu95gsIBQHKt7WTT5kFlMNlMdI3kt9ruW-3fR7VJCSEfkDgGFPDoLIUMszxzC52kiK4pxzEv6/s5901/Ushuaia%20Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="5901" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq2N2or1uSPiTMt4J6RDmkxbF9JTz6xhTvTRAe335Ks-ffmPFEW3QU4zCI5QzVR8rh2zTASd1Kz0clRRVw1MJOb7w14qkDl6_YlbB7F5AHy-Ue5-Hu95gsIBQHKt7WTT5kFlMNlMdI3kt9ruW-3fR7VJCSEfkDgGFPDoLIUMszxzC52kiK4pxzEv6/w640-h366/Ushuaia%20Airport.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View northwards from the Ushuaia airport on the day of my return flight to South Africa</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">But new challenges and the chances to realise more dreams called – an opportunity to try and walk the length of the Silk Road from Turkey to China. It was all very exciting but before I could get there, I’d have to go to South Africa to sort some personal documents, bank accounts etc. out. It was a long travel moment with it taking me around 50 hours from leaving the place I was staying in Ushuaia to arriving at the house where my sister them lived in South Africa.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">That was the least of my concerns really, I was going to be faced with languages I hadn’t heard (even less speaking them) in 9 years, one of them being Afrikaans which I grew up with as a kid (we grew up with English, Afrikaans and Fanagalo in the house). A taste of how much I would remember already became clear when my brother-in-law sent me a video of an Afrikaans comedian and I had to re-watch it more than 3 times just understand snatches of it.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Arriving in South Africa - March 2023</h3><p style="text-align: justify;">Arriving at Johannesburg Airport in South Africa and seeing my sister them waiting for me was a surreal moment. Of course, I was happy to see them after having been away so long but my mind wasn’t doing all the kind of responses I think I expected to a degree…like a crazy happy or jubilant feeling…it wasn’t there even though I was happy to see my family as I said.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal">We sat down at a restaurant in
the airport to have coffee and a snack and I totally felt as if I was in a
foreign country that I had been before but not for a long time. English was
being spoken with accents I hadn’t heard in a very long time, forcing me to
concentrate hard on what was being said so I could understand. As for hearing
people speaking Afrikaans (even my family speaking Afrikaans to other people),
it went right over my head…they were speaking way too fast for me to even start
comprehending the conversation, never mind catching the odd word here and there
that I “should’ve” understood at least – it was a like a totally foreign
language I was hearing, certainly not like a language I grew up with!<o:p></o:p></p>
<h4>As I write this, I’m in my 5<sup>th</sup>
week in South Africa – so do I feel at home?</h4><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, that’s something I don’t
really know how to reply to – I feel more at ease now sitting with my family
and chatting (in English) and now understand some more Afrikaans if people
speak slower than their normal speed; it’s not like my family are not trying to
make me feel at home.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO4vgdjHQYKDXSgYpcHcjQL3SbP_QXlcPRXAW3H8qCYF8O5nJkHNTfklS9YYOqLCrSMxxn26u0Ap8N4brZfl_f2p2NQdeoSJc3xYxCz-e-meWA8kqRw-wuisG_R0DoVnQOz2fiYiL4HpW2hDpdCUECRZmGILyocu7MDBrRJFx7azD33oCzWXS8K_U/s3898/Potchefstroom%20SA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2539" data-original-width="3898" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO4vgdjHQYKDXSgYpcHcjQL3SbP_QXlcPRXAW3H8qCYF8O5nJkHNTfklS9YYOqLCrSMxxn26u0Ap8N4brZfl_f2p2NQdeoSJc3xYxCz-e-meWA8kqRw-wuisG_R0DoVnQOz2fiYiL4HpW2hDpdCUECRZmGILyocu7MDBrRJFx7azD33oCzWXS8K_U/w640-h416/Potchefstroom%20SA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside shopping centre in South Africa</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">It doesn’t feel like I belong in
this town, or the country, in the sense that I feel completely like a foreigner.
I guess the knowledge that I’m leaving soon again adds to the feeling that I’m
only “in transit” as it were. It’s a strange feeling to me – but it doesn’t
stress me or occupy my thoughts all the time though. Maybe I’ve just learnt
over the years of travel to process this feeling of being a foreigner/visitor
as normal, not something easy to really put into words somehow.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><h4>What's next?</h4>
<p class="MsoNormal">In about 5 weeks’ time I head off
to the Caucasus for the pre-expedition period before I start the walk from
Istanbul. This is probably going to be another 2 years or whatever moving,
meeting new people, learning new languages, and seeing new and amazing places. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfWJ83OpFksfQK_5Ve0_87NRY9IQuZdAUFmYD9yfYL2hNHdJh7KaskyyFpc5eQkt1gLXRbtX9vXYPq9OzVP8eqTWg4xHo7JKOUDGPZcDw3Ip2CQ9jxNMFvvohyQ1vSm7dW_KRawFR4xC6AnunUzUGW6o3N7deR6vnNgNXNVjfyKzFy9sh3Z6SYSQn/s800/31293279327_7d68e82fde_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="800" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfWJ83OpFksfQK_5Ve0_87NRY9IQuZdAUFmYD9yfYL2hNHdJh7KaskyyFpc5eQkt1gLXRbtX9vXYPq9OzVP8eqTWg4xHo7JKOUDGPZcDw3Ip2CQ9jxNMFvvohyQ1vSm7dW_KRawFR4xC6AnunUzUGW6o3N7deR6vnNgNXNVjfyKzFy9sh3Z6SYSQn/w640-h412/31293279327_7d68e82fde_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Will I find another place that I
connect to as much as I did with Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia? I have no idea –
never say never. But I shall continue to call home that place where I lay down
my head at night – regardless of whether it’s my tent out in the mountains. To
me that’s something that has kept me “sane” over the years – always being near
or at my home, wherever I am.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2>Where is home for you? </h2><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>I’d love to hear your opinions and comments on
this.</i></b></span></span></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com2South Africa-30.559482 22.937506-86.785693787982112 -47.374994 25.66672978798211 93.250006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-90227095308326075332022-07-30T19:51:00.001+03:002022-07-30T19:51:09.046+03:00Trekking Laguna Esmeralda (español)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZVbTmcHdJLm_ItCxXTha1-hJ3NxPB6gGX7PtuSvDC8g7AEJgaeDbUhVzzChlxiiFgvE5a7GTrlLTh8jFfMWpwRDjkGCWZfcGOz4oWS9DsXgTnc7nyMWeCr22rCerFaCRgBiUgWYWdsUhGc9YhIMsjWXKtHpvcN_dmLgB_JuBXGRzcjWGpah2YyMD/s1600/Laguna%20Esmeralda%20-%20blog.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZVbTmcHdJLm_ItCxXTha1-hJ3NxPB6gGX7PtuSvDC8g7AEJgaeDbUhVzzChlxiiFgvE5a7GTrlLTh8jFfMWpwRDjkGCWZfcGOz4oWS9DsXgTnc7nyMWeCr22rCerFaCRgBiUgWYWdsUhGc9YhIMsjWXKtHpvcN_dmLgB_JuBXGRzcjWGpah2YyMD/w640-h360/Laguna%20Esmeralda%20-%20blog.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2022/07/trekking-laguna-esmeralda.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Trekking Laguna Esmeralda</span></a></b> (English)<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>Para más información sobre el <b><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/laguna-esmeralda.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Trek to Laguna Esmeralda</span></a></b></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Pregunte a cualquier persona cuando llegue a Ushuaia, qué caminata/trekking debe hacer - la Laguna Esmeralda será muy probablemente la primera o una de las 3 principales mencionadas. Hay que admitir que es un trekking con un paisaje impresionante y una gran introducción a los panoramas y condiciones de Tierra del Fuego y además, no es un trekking difícil con sólo un poco de ascenso. Este trekking también se puede hacer en todas las épocas del año, aunque en invierno son muy recomendables con unos crampines de trekking o crampones.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Obviamente, al estar en Tierra del Fuego, asegúrate de tener ropa para cualquier cambio de clima que puede significar mucho frío en verano y tal vez incluso nieve. Así que lo mínimo sería tener guantes, gorro y una campera muy abrigada y ropa impermeables... y por supuesto botas de trekking. Las zapatillas comunes aumentan el riesgo innecesario de lesiones en los tobillos, lo que tristemente es común aquí con personas sin el calzado correcto.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi3-3XKcedNSC1HtQVcf0BNyv73PrI5RcxL_HtcaVyWWmdQiiLKm4IKLuPJXgdduMTKnP4KaD2lVlSvN_EJzUNvry95zkJpS_MMdVM7ZjpqCQls5T6o6Nvp9p6eIFVgO-99y9D0M5C0QKzNQJPpUaJJIEWY1j2D-fhstuAItMNXfPur4lYYInphRv/s4032/IMG_1409.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi3-3XKcedNSC1HtQVcf0BNyv73PrI5RcxL_HtcaVyWWmdQiiLKm4IKLuPJXgdduMTKnP4KaD2lVlSvN_EJzUNvry95zkJpS_MMdVM7ZjpqCQls5T6o6Nvp9p6eIFVgO-99y9D0M5C0QKzNQJPpUaJJIEWY1j2D-fhstuAItMNXfPur4lYYInphRv/w640-h480/IMG_1409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durante el mes de marzo, cuando el paisaje empieza a llenarse de colores otoñales.<br />Uno o dos meses más tarde, los colores otoñales estarán a tope.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Como algunos de vosotros sabréis, no soy muy fan de hacer recorridos en los que pueda haber mucha gente, pero por encima de eso suelo intentar conseguir fotos diferentes a las habituales. Mi forma de resolver ese pequeño problema es ir muy temprano por la mañana para ser el primero (o uno de los primeros) y así tener la oportunidad de hacer fotos del amanecer. Sin embargo, el amanecer en verano es más complicado, ya que los colores del amanecer aparecen alrededor de las 4:30 de la mañana, pero en invierno, a las 9:00 de la mañana en julio, se pueden conseguir algunas fotos que merecen la pena... con mucha nieve! ...sólo hay que recordar que en invierno el lago está helado y cubierto de nieve.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJFPQPtLxDssQTuM4xG4lnvGClCBsXTb9PGJbR42tgIux9YHjUhyx1_-HYBcOqokqgCyx__REFAOlpEPTBjGXCGfGzM2GespezXhwFqC660OVtkiJeggAbeyTm9Wp_Uml6AHtdUsHQNBW--DG071cNYct6htLN7hM7ApXxpHbtFFtDP66_V03ssT/s3654/IMG_1616.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3654" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJFPQPtLxDssQTuM4xG4lnvGClCBsXTb9PGJbR42tgIux9YHjUhyx1_-HYBcOqokqgCyx__REFAOlpEPTBjGXCGfGzM2GespezXhwFqC660OVtkiJeggAbeyTm9Wp_Uml6AHtdUsHQNBW--DG071cNYct6htLN7hM7ApXxpHbtFFtDP66_V03ssT/w640-h466/IMG_1616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colores del amanecer de invierno en el sendero de la Laguna Esmeralda en julio.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Debido a la popularidad de este sendero, también se han realizado algunos cambios y se han instalado dos tramos de pasarelas sobre la turba para limitar el daño de los muchos pies que transitan (y se atascan) en ella. Las turberas son una parte muy importante de los ecosistemas de Tierra del Fuego y deben ser preservadas. La mayor parte del impacto anterior se producía fuera de la temporada de invierno, cuando las zonas se humedecen mucho por la lluvia y, por consiguiente, se vuelven súper fangosas. En invierno, todo está cubierto de nieve y hielo, por lo que no es un problema demasiado grande, pero en cualquier caso se ha mitigado ahora con las pasarelas.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv4xwezaMcO47KFvy8y5mnMhWHNLfdVtMazos5oCCFNdh5r8kkCM9p8napxanNlxc6Nl2cYh7F9neO7BueBQI1v2dAMrDhv-Qz-h7LCCymzzlRWN2K7BNX7Ca3VQXF6cTb6i2aiZ9DEmnfEveTEWMR3ItP3H_nu3zJJWtK1JxWuwAamSbKIWWHgHZ/s4032/IMG_1654.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv4xwezaMcO47KFvy8y5mnMhWHNLfdVtMazos5oCCFNdh5r8kkCM9p8napxanNlxc6Nl2cYh7F9neO7BueBQI1v2dAMrDhv-Qz-h7LCCymzzlRWN2K7BNX7Ca3VQXF6cTb6i2aiZ9DEmnfEveTEWMR3ItP3H_nu3zJJWtK1JxWuwAamSbKIWWHgHZ/w640-h480/IMG_1654.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uno de los tramos con las nuevas pasarelas</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Este es uno de los senderos para los que tendrás que organizar el transporte, ya que está a casi 20 km de Ushuaia. Si te gusta conocer a otras personas en una caminata mientras tienes algunos guías experimentados, podrías conseguir una compañía como <a href="https://arponturismo.com/tag/trekking/" target="_blank"><b><i>Arpon Trekking</i></b></a> que en invierno también te ayudará con los crampines de trekking y/o otros equipos que podrías querer alquilar en lugar de comprar nuevos.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Otro medio de transporte sería si vas con algún conocido que tenga un vehículo o lo haya alquilado, lo que te permitiría llegar a la hora que más te convenga. La otra opción es el servicio de traslados que sale de la terminal de autobuses de Ushuaia y que, por lo general, tiene unos dos viajes diarios a Esmeralda y, más tarde, el regreso. Esta opción puede ser limitada si le gusta pasar un tiempo extra allí, ya que las salidas son más tarde en la mañana y reduce significativamente la cantidad de tiempo que puede pasar allí.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oV06Q6TpEPKnivD_FcwL--hHV29tMgXucUuTg9xTQGBMV3eMn7I2bJQPm9B68zMD2miAvizIM3GqcSKwjT9QKCG0howCMVwUPlcboIdmXKwMg82RvfQRUJSg0fyo2DTqPutOA7BpBD-HWqUwINpD_rZaWye8EGKU0ngVF1XYP4U7CEAPDH4eaWX_/s4032/IMG_1390.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oV06Q6TpEPKnivD_FcwL--hHV29tMgXucUuTg9xTQGBMV3eMn7I2bJQPm9B68zMD2miAvizIM3GqcSKwjT9QKCG0howCMVwUPlcboIdmXKwMg82RvfQRUJSg0fyo2DTqPutOA7BpBD-HWqUwINpD_rZaWye8EGKU0ngVF1XYP4U7CEAPDH4eaWX_/w640-h480/IMG_1390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A principios del otoño, en marzo</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Si no vas con una empresa de senderismo y un guía, asegúrate de llevar agua y una termo con una bebida caliente siempre es buena cuando llegas al lago. Además, asegúrate de llevar algún snack y algún sandwich. No hay lugares donde comprar comida/snacks.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fyx4FTDMRjziwUUhhom-n1cjX5MIdshskjbD6ex8O7TNGvQqItQorMY63twQSQQ0EoL4rrIC2OGPMVBq2eIKxHwUfYD8sd3yYjR0WOiPy-5JTuIgtdbUHZad42czxhdJdSC8UhgmAS5GsrNUVdQKuy-Z5s_AMOVLpDRQQ8Zl8nWl8VEhXqnEi5FA/s4032/IMG_1612.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fyx4FTDMRjziwUUhhom-n1cjX5MIdshskjbD6ex8O7TNGvQqItQorMY63twQSQQ0EoL4rrIC2OGPMVBq2eIKxHwUfYD8sd3yYjR0WOiPy-5JTuIgtdbUHZad42czxhdJdSC8UhgmAS5GsrNUVdQKuy-Z5s_AMOVLpDRQQ8Zl8nWl8VEhXqnEi5FA/w640-h480/IMG_1612.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justo después de la primera luz, alrededor de las 09:00 am, la luna llena esta bajando.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Sea la época que sea, seguro que disfrutará de esta impresionante zona de Tierra del Fuego conocida como Tierra Mayor. Ten cuidado, asegúrate de que llevas la ropa y el equipo adecuados y deja sólo huellas: devuelve la basura contigo.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ktVmay866sgHyp3Kv1cq60fs2NbacC9QzaZBpnCL0ELd86IZOvzvYo_LdQn9zMk56oGIKVDWuHn6ojWJFDCgvYY8R3--4mp6u-YOn3Z2BX143abjxVFXY8WNg8o4cIoAXo0HctG6EGvZeu8Hskk1opuOcMMeei9_Ik6A_Y_v5thKgi8-1iaI5J5D/s6253/IMG_1415.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3637" data-original-width="6253" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ktVmay866sgHyp3Kv1cq60fs2NbacC9QzaZBpnCL0ELd86IZOvzvYo_LdQn9zMk56oGIKVDWuHn6ojWJFDCgvYY8R3--4mp6u-YOn3Z2BX143abjxVFXY8WNg8o4cIoAXo0HctG6EGvZeu8Hskk1opuOcMMeei9_Ik6A_Y_v5thKgi8-1iaI5J5D/w640-h372/IMG_1415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laguna Esmeralda durante marzo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTls0qqkHvTO2MtpC25RaQFP9iAwiXbfUx7N85V-3E1L2F-qgbVg6TUQHxvZSr7eSKV1xgET8zJCIR9_oQiwNR4gu9naVHWuBNXd5h44W32nqsabZKuwPL11mcSTb2C-T5QOHk94xHNvnNpsWrYh8gO1Te6eqc8cXQmqXv8WTCC3YIs4oJWbM0nUHl/s4032/IMG_1597.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2723" data-original-width="4032" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTls0qqkHvTO2MtpC25RaQFP9iAwiXbfUx7N85V-3E1L2F-qgbVg6TUQHxvZSr7eSKV1xgET8zJCIR9_oQiwNR4gu9naVHWuBNXd5h44W32nqsabZKuwPL11mcSTb2C-T5QOHk94xHNvnNpsWrYh8gO1Te6eqc8cXQmqXv8WTCC3YIs4oJWbM0nUHl/w640-h432/IMG_1597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laguna Esmeralda durante julio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-28206421489606849132022-07-30T19:06:00.001+03:002022-07-30T19:51:41.622+03:00Trekking Laguna Esmeralda<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZVbTmcHdJLm_ItCxXTha1-hJ3NxPB6gGX7PtuSvDC8g7AEJgaeDbUhVzzChlxiiFgvE5a7GTrlLTh8jFfMWpwRDjkGCWZfcGOz4oWS9DsXgTnc7nyMWeCr22rCerFaCRgBiUgWYWdsUhGc9YhIMsjWXKtHpvcN_dmLgB_JuBXGRzcjWGpah2YyMD/s1600/Laguna%20Esmeralda%20-%20blog.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZVbTmcHdJLm_ItCxXTha1-hJ3NxPB6gGX7PtuSvDC8g7AEJgaeDbUhVzzChlxiiFgvE5a7GTrlLTh8jFfMWpwRDjkGCWZfcGOz4oWS9DsXgTnc7nyMWeCr22rCerFaCRgBiUgWYWdsUhGc9YhIMsjWXKtHpvcN_dmLgB_JuBXGRzcjWGpah2YyMD/w640-h360/Laguna%20Esmeralda%20-%20blog.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2022/07/trekking-laguna-esmeralda-espanol.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Trekking Laguna Esmeralda</span></a></b> (Español)<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>For details on the <b><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/laguna-esmeralda.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Trek to Laguna Esmeralda</span></a></b></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ask anyone when you arrive in Ushuaia, which trek/hike you should do - Laguna Esmeralda will most likely be the first or one of the top 3 mentioned. Admittedly, it is a trek with stunning scenery and a great introduction to Tierra del Fuego panoramas and conditions and as an added plus, it's not a difficult trek with only a little bit of ascent. This trek can also be done at all seasons although in winter some trekking spikes or crampons are very highly recommended.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Obviously being in Tierra del Fuego, make sure you have clothing with you to cover any weather change which can mean very cold in summer and maybe even snow. So minimum would be having gloves, beanie and a very warm jacket and rain gear...and of course hiking boots. Running shoes elevate the risk unnecessarily of ankle injuries which is unfortunately common here with people without the correct footwear.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi3-3XKcedNSC1HtQVcf0BNyv73PrI5RcxL_HtcaVyWWmdQiiLKm4IKLuPJXgdduMTKnP4KaD2lVlSvN_EJzUNvry95zkJpS_MMdVM7ZjpqCQls5T6o6Nvp9p6eIFVgO-99y9D0M5C0QKzNQJPpUaJJIEWY1j2D-fhstuAItMNXfPur4lYYInphRv/s4032/IMG_1409.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi3-3XKcedNSC1HtQVcf0BNyv73PrI5RcxL_HtcaVyWWmdQiiLKm4IKLuPJXgdduMTKnP4KaD2lVlSvN_EJzUNvry95zkJpS_MMdVM7ZjpqCQls5T6o6Nvp9p6eIFVgO-99y9D0M5C0QKzNQJPpUaJJIEWY1j2D-fhstuAItMNXfPur4lYYInphRv/w640-h480/IMG_1409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During March when the scenery starts getting more colourful with autumn colours.<br />A month or 2 later will be full on autumn colours.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">As some of you that know might know, I'm not a big fan of doing trails where there might be a lot of people - over and above that I usually try and get photos that are different to the run of the mill pics. My way of solving that wee problem is by going very early in the morning so I'm the first (or one of the first) out there and then also have the chance of sunrise photos. Sunrise in summer is more challenging though as the sunrise colours show around 4:30am but in winter, 9:00am in July can get some really worthwhile shots...with a lot of snow! ...just remember that in winter the lake is iced-over and covered in snow as well.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJFPQPtLxDssQTuM4xG4lnvGClCBsXTb9PGJbR42tgIux9YHjUhyx1_-HYBcOqokqgCyx__REFAOlpEPTBjGXCGfGzM2GespezXhwFqC660OVtkiJeggAbeyTm9Wp_Uml6AHtdUsHQNBW--DG071cNYct6htLN7hM7ApXxpHbtFFtDP66_V03ssT/s3654/IMG_1616.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3654" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJFPQPtLxDssQTuM4xG4lnvGClCBsXTb9PGJbR42tgIux9YHjUhyx1_-HYBcOqokqgCyx__REFAOlpEPTBjGXCGfGzM2GespezXhwFqC660OVtkiJeggAbeyTm9Wp_Uml6AHtdUsHQNBW--DG071cNYct6htLN7hM7ApXxpHbtFFtDP66_V03ssT/w640-h466/IMG_1616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter sunrise colours along the trail to Laguna Esmeralda in July.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Due to this trail's popularity, some changes have also been made and two sections of boardwalks have been installed over the peat bog to limit the damage from many feet traipsing (and getting stuck) in it. The peat bogs, (<i>turba</i>) are a very important part of the ecosystems in Tierra del Fuego and need to be preserved. Most of the impact previously was outside winter season when the areas get very wet from rain and subsequently super muddy. In winter everything is covered in snow and ice so not an overly big problem then but this has either way been mitigated now with the boardwalks.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv4xwezaMcO47KFvy8y5mnMhWHNLfdVtMazos5oCCFNdh5r8kkCM9p8napxanNlxc6Nl2cYh7F9neO7BueBQI1v2dAMrDhv-Qz-h7LCCymzzlRWN2K7BNX7Ca3VQXF6cTb6i2aiZ9DEmnfEveTEWMR3ItP3H_nu3zJJWtK1JxWuwAamSbKIWWHgHZ/s4032/IMG_1654.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv4xwezaMcO47KFvy8y5mnMhWHNLfdVtMazos5oCCFNdh5r8kkCM9p8napxanNlxc6Nl2cYh7F9neO7BueBQI1v2dAMrDhv-Qz-h7LCCymzzlRWN2K7BNX7Ca3VQXF6cTb6i2aiZ9DEmnfEveTEWMR3ItP3H_nu3zJJWtK1JxWuwAamSbKIWWHgHZ/w640-h480/IMG_1654.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the sections with the new boardwalks</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">This is one of the trails where you'll need to organise transport for as it's almost 20km from Ushuaia. If you like meeting other people on a trek whilst having some knowledgeable guides, you could get hold of a company like <a href="https://arponturismo.com/tag/trekking/" target="_blank"><b><i>Arpon Trekking</i></b></a> who in winter will also be helping with trekking spikes and/or other gear you might want to rent as opposed to buying new.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Other transport would be if you end up going with someone you know who has a vehicle or has rented a vehicle which means you could get there at a time that suits you. The other option is the transfer service leaving from the bus terminal in Ushuaia who have generally around two trips per day out to Esmeralda and then later in the day, the returns. This option can be limiting though if you enjoy spending some extra time out there as the departures are later in the morning and cuts significantly the amount of time you can spend out there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oV06Q6TpEPKnivD_FcwL--hHV29tMgXucUuTg9xTQGBMV3eMn7I2bJQPm9B68zMD2miAvizIM3GqcSKwjT9QKCG0howCMVwUPlcboIdmXKwMg82RvfQRUJSg0fyo2DTqPutOA7BpBD-HWqUwINpD_rZaWye8EGKU0ngVF1XYP4U7CEAPDH4eaWX_/s4032/IMG_1390.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oV06Q6TpEPKnivD_FcwL--hHV29tMgXucUuTg9xTQGBMV3eMn7I2bJQPm9B68zMD2miAvizIM3GqcSKwjT9QKCG0howCMVwUPlcboIdmXKwMg82RvfQRUJSg0fyo2DTqPutOA7BpBD-HWqUwINpD_rZaWye8EGKU0ngVF1XYP4U7CEAPDH4eaWX_/w640-h480/IMG_1390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the early autumn in March</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">If you're not going with a trekking company and guide, ensure you take water with you and then a flask with a hot drink is always welcome when you get to the lake. In addition to that, make sure you have some snacks and some sandwiches. There aren't places out there to buy food/snacks.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fyx4FTDMRjziwUUhhom-n1cjX5MIdshskjbD6ex8O7TNGvQqItQorMY63twQSQQ0EoL4rrIC2OGPMVBq2eIKxHwUfYD8sd3yYjR0WOiPy-5JTuIgtdbUHZad42czxhdJdSC8UhgmAS5GsrNUVdQKuy-Z5s_AMOVLpDRQQ8Zl8nWl8VEhXqnEi5FA/s4032/IMG_1612.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fyx4FTDMRjziwUUhhom-n1cjX5MIdshskjbD6ex8O7TNGvQqItQorMY63twQSQQ0EoL4rrIC2OGPMVBq2eIKxHwUfYD8sd3yYjR0WOiPy-5JTuIgtdbUHZad42czxhdJdSC8UhgmAS5GsrNUVdQKuy-Z5s_AMOVLpDRQQ8Zl8nWl8VEhXqnEi5FA/w640-h480/IMG_1612.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just after first light around 09:00am - full moon going down.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">No matter which season you go, you'll be sure to enjoy this stunning part of Tierra del Fuego known as Tierra Mayor. Take care, make you sure you have the right clothing and kit and leave only footprints - bring the litter back out with you.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ktVmay866sgHyp3Kv1cq60fs2NbacC9QzaZBpnCL0ELd86IZOvzvYo_LdQn9zMk56oGIKVDWuHn6ojWJFDCgvYY8R3--4mp6u-YOn3Z2BX143abjxVFXY8WNg8o4cIoAXo0HctG6EGvZeu8Hskk1opuOcMMeei9_Ik6A_Y_v5thKgi8-1iaI5J5D/s6253/IMG_1415.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3637" data-original-width="6253" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ktVmay866sgHyp3Kv1cq60fs2NbacC9QzaZBpnCL0ELd86IZOvzvYo_LdQn9zMk56oGIKVDWuHn6ojWJFDCgvYY8R3--4mp6u-YOn3Z2BX143abjxVFXY8WNg8o4cIoAXo0HctG6EGvZeu8Hskk1opuOcMMeei9_Ik6A_Y_v5thKgi8-1iaI5J5D/w640-h372/IMG_1415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laguna Esmeralda during March</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTls0qqkHvTO2MtpC25RaQFP9iAwiXbfUx7N85V-3E1L2F-qgbVg6TUQHxvZSr7eSKV1xgET8zJCIR9_oQiwNR4gu9naVHWuBNXd5h44W32nqsabZKuwPL11mcSTb2C-T5QOHk94xHNvnNpsWrYh8gO1Te6eqc8cXQmqXv8WTCC3YIs4oJWbM0nUHl/s4032/IMG_1597.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2723" data-original-width="4032" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTls0qqkHvTO2MtpC25RaQFP9iAwiXbfUx7N85V-3E1L2F-qgbVg6TUQHxvZSr7eSKV1xgET8zJCIR9_oQiwNR4gu9naVHWuBNXd5h44W32nqsabZKuwPL11mcSTb2C-T5QOHk94xHNvnNpsWrYh8gO1Te6eqc8cXQmqXv8WTCC3YIs4oJWbM0nUHl/w640-h432/IMG_1597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laguna Esmeralda during July</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-76386052321051751392022-05-29T19:13:00.002+03:002022-07-30T15:30:14.942+03:00Turquesa y Turquoise<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UZ9FiuC2H_VRUQjwlOZHVoiN20OECFdJ3n0AeSeCHBBHxN01RXgo7iGiNBt76lJw2rDgG9KxJo9GSy5idh4KsjexqF3vqcKcWKGgMo93KLqZ_uCB6u909e7oxs-4RESQVMAQ8s49BdtZc2Q95sbbv83T5dSSUQiG5qbN23tYaAQXx1CTkPb3vFrz/s1600/Laguna%20Turquesa%20-%20turquoise.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UZ9FiuC2H_VRUQjwlOZHVoiN20OECFdJ3n0AeSeCHBBHxN01RXgo7iGiNBt76lJw2rDgG9KxJo9GSy5idh4KsjexqF3vqcKcWKGgMo93KLqZ_uCB6u909e7oxs-4RESQVMAQ8s49BdtZc2Q95sbbv83T5dSSUQiG5qbN23tYaAQXx1CTkPb3vFrz/w640-h360/Laguna%20Turquesa%20-%20turquoise.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><b style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(in english - <a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2022/05/turquesa-and-turquoise.html" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #da1f26; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.17s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: red; font-size: medium; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Turquesa y Turquoise</span></a>)</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>A mediados de abril el amanecer ya es considerablemente más tarde que en verano, así que cuando llegué con un taxi al inicio del sendero a las 07:15 de la mañana, todavía estaba oscuro. El sendero que iba a subir era nuevo para mí: la Laguna Turquesa, al sur de la muy conocida y popular Laguna Esmeralda. Ambos senderos parten de la Ruta 3 a unos 20 km de Ushuaia. El inicio de la Laguna Turquesa está a 1 km al oeste de la zona de estacionamiento donde se encuentra el inicio de la senda a la Laguna Esmeralda.</div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Me preparé el equipo y la mochila, me puse la linterna y me dirigí al bosque. No es un sendero muy largo, pero tiene una pendiente considerable a través del bosque para llegar a las zonas abiertas superiores y al lago.</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Lo mejor de caminar por estos senderos con una linterna frontal es que las marcas reflectantes son visibles en la distancia, lo que hace que seguir el sendero sea mucho más fácil... al menos para mí. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWUZt3iAA0TEmIfANQkF9bh4aKTQBrAT0uotB8WK4CVnb3Ws2QxlqAVMVHR7u60gF9fsdAFvB8YSCSpPtdi-qHHEtvmOXT_1eeIsQhXebo3fcIbylyJbW1ezHqMmhq-InUTCypzbenE1Oh5zdmFLjDz4qfoxvvAzK8ckskTY_zGR3VnNwl2WW2Ppt/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWUZt3iAA0TEmIfANQkF9bh4aKTQBrAT0uotB8WK4CVnb3Ws2QxlqAVMVHR7u60gF9fsdAFvB8YSCSpPtdi-qHHEtvmOXT_1eeIsQhXebo3fcIbylyJbW1ezHqMmhq-InUTCypzbenE1Oh5zdmFLjDz4qfoxvvAzK8ckskTY_zGR3VnNwl2WW2Ppt/s320/Laguna%20Turquesa-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A través del follaje del bosque, el cielo ya empezaba a cambiar de color, así que esperaba poder salir y acercarme al lago a la hora del amanecer para conseguir unos cielos magníficos y quizás algunos reflejos en el lago.</p><div style="text-align: justify;">Al salir del bosque, todavía quedaba un corto camino por recorrer y el ascenso final al lago - Laguna Turquesa. Fuera del bosque había, por supuesto, bastante más luz y el cielo también se aclaraba a medida que iba amaneciendo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIAWZ6XMdEoDWIaYHjFG63yXGYEDAz2zM6qc7bLU1XwEq58__VD6-TbCKOmK4cDW9tAmWwfNF5HpojHTFvYGzp2TktzrvDDEb5dwWBlFog8IiLcRNozSg9k8gsHBSOEJdpWOtI2NRmrBHgr9c9j4ekM3UQJkwKJXqRbMv7M6ynGOvWvG7rFf3Gz8/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIAWZ6XMdEoDWIaYHjFG63yXGYEDAz2zM6qc7bLU1XwEq58__VD6-TbCKOmK4cDW9tAmWwfNF5HpojHTFvYGzp2TktzrvDDEb5dwWBlFog8IiLcRNozSg9k8gsHBSOEJdpWOtI2NRmrBHgr9c9j4ekM3UQJkwKJXqRbMv7M6ynGOvWvG7rFf3Gz8/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista hacia el norte desde la zona entre el bosque y la Laguna Turquesa <br />- Laguna Esmeralda apenas visible en la distancia.</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Este último tramo tiene algunos tramos de barro, pero no mucho en comparación con algunas caminatas en Tierra del Fuego. Al llegar al lago, seguía siendo el único en la zona - otra de las ventajas de salir temprano en las caminatas! Además...la luz era increíble!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt0NznMhYb9NOXGplvC8DFZo6Zl0F2d5aTAT_IF38f-VZdUVDSGgd_KUBjtl03J7kFzmcCSuuBvNpyyJli_LhYmftsWRWDE1UISRgm3uCWAydT_J64YJH3dIAl05eXK3NFNuQ_684JCJedHZz2fONmxhEzoKASGTuQPyWDQc_dCJtpmJcNG7aINj5/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt0NznMhYb9NOXGplvC8DFZo6Zl0F2d5aTAT_IF38f-VZdUVDSGgd_KUBjtl03J7kFzmcCSuuBvNpyyJli_LhYmftsWRWDE1UISRgm3uCWAydT_J64YJH3dIAl05eXK3NFNuQ_684JCJedHZz2fONmxhEzoKASGTuQPyWDQc_dCJtpmJcNG7aINj5/w480-h640/Laguna%20Turquesa-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Al rodear el lago, las vistas eran increíbles; tampoco iba muy rápido, ya que me detenía a cada rato para tomar más fotos. Me dirigí a un punto más alto en el lado sur del lago para obtener mejores vistas sobre el lago hacia el norte, hacia la Laguna Esmeralda.</div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoBaYxOFMKK4o8nsQ_FeVlJaKqgb1ae3_bCey42ZXRJiWszUuYWDU4ab-JZsxSV8KXPi1LoCQGAdBph3YPkzgSb6J8OHRJX9ZwlLoq5_ZXjIiAOJkl6IwhbAX2gdG1rmih7PqTdDTpOR5aqECnJI05vBHN8zD0CUcf_odLRJp_lS3PBlAUX1Q-Q_-/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoBaYxOFMKK4o8nsQ_FeVlJaKqgb1ae3_bCey42ZXRJiWszUuYWDU4ab-JZsxSV8KXPi1LoCQGAdBph3YPkzgSb6J8OHRJX9ZwlLoq5_ZXjIiAOJkl6IwhbAX2gdG1rmih7PqTdDTpOR5aqECnJI05vBHN8zD0CUcf_odLRJp_lS3PBlAUX1Q-Q_-/w480-h640/Laguna%20Turquesa.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista desde el lado sureste del lago</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Hacía un poco de frío, pero no demasiado, y estaba mayormente nublado, aunque parece que las nubes se están moviendo un poco. Para que se muevan más rápido es necesario que haya más viento, lo que no es necesariamente bueno, ya que entonces las temperaturas también bajarán considerablemente, pero bueno, no me quejo de ninguna manera, fue una mañana espectacular.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9ZW73dl-4Ue6qg1KiA3CCkq8X97Ur2wjyTek53GkR1FY-3_C0aywiylpm8VlQYQ4dkmtKqhQoeuhNoZsCxUDXYY5_DcPhrEzToB5BkL_I1211G7mf81yEQT7rz6apksIbdDu4VPMBmrA9kBTmTqAWiJuk0whpfNIW1uzRabaynLDEYQavvR4nF6P/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9ZW73dl-4Ue6qg1KiA3CCkq8X97Ur2wjyTek53GkR1FY-3_C0aywiylpm8VlQYQ4dkmtKqhQoeuhNoZsCxUDXYY5_DcPhrEzToB5BkL_I1211G7mf81yEQT7rz6apksIbdDu4VPMBmrA9kBTmTqAWiJuk0whpfNIW1uzRabaynLDEYQavvR4nF6P/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otra vista hacia el norte, hacia la Laguna Esmeralda y el valle de Tierra Mayor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Decidí rodear las partes sur y este del lago, más arriba, a lo largo de las laderas circundantes. Durante este tiempo, el sol salió un poco y el lago empezó a mostrar sus verdaderos colores... el turquesa que le da nombre.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh6uibUDkebiJ9Yyq4ItwrN5WUmUGOa183SVkhYNcCdC5D_l-tHJSdfFV6j4YrrE0u6pIUe_tVHgKcn5OWQTtnAH1xT6ZuyOC6SRqGAFKMxk_M2_7Mb0ozrjLu2hH_jk8kSsL7bKZbGXDkYA3gUtwCzQF5l71PdFIPNWUMVPd096vlqlH2_FLboqE/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh6uibUDkebiJ9Yyq4ItwrN5WUmUGOa183SVkhYNcCdC5D_l-tHJSdfFV6j4YrrE0u6pIUe_tVHgKcn5OWQTtnAH1xT6ZuyOC6SRqGAFKMxk_M2_7Mb0ozrjLu2hH_jk8kSsL7bKZbGXDkYA3gUtwCzQF5l71PdFIPNWUMVPd096vlqlH2_FLboqE/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista desde más arriba a lo largo del lado noreste del lago.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Al subir más alto, me di cuenta de que estaba entrando en una cresta entre el valle donde se encuentra la Laguna Turquesa y el valle contiguo - mirando hacia abajo al otro lado, tenía unas vistas fantásticas del Valle de Olum y el resto de Tierra Mayor que se extendía en la distancia. Los colores otoñales eran simplemente alucinantes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2pQrdnnYnqmW_EaxzFmzDnWQin0ROVjxro_Ow9XnkwJBpeZg-gmnNGmRvsBiWxN1zwpibjdNT-ZUnwn1qvX75v7P5hd8Qx8XXwbzxQdZPrnyTrpQwBia-y2MP5KX5LD5dUGo6PvtpfNq7-8iVbF3beZ7ZJ-5AvwygfhcXkYNSa9w4ct3amO6YOK_/s9390/Laguna%20Turquesa-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3894" data-original-width="9390" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2pQrdnnYnqmW_EaxzFmzDnWQin0ROVjxro_Ow9XnkwJBpeZg-gmnNGmRvsBiWxN1zwpibjdNT-ZUnwn1qvX75v7P5hd8Qx8XXwbzxQdZPrnyTrpQwBia-y2MP5KX5LD5dUGo6PvtpfNq7-8iVbF3beZ7ZJ-5AvwygfhcXkYNSa9w4ct3amO6YOK_/w640-h266/Laguna%20Turquesa-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista sobre el Valle de Olum y la Laguna Ausente en primer plano - <br />Tierra Mayor se extiende hacia el este a lo largo de las montañas en el fondo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Estaba de nuevo en mi lugar feliz... en las montañas rodeado de panoramas de los que nunca me cansaría. Sólo una hora después de mi llegada, vi a otras personas que salían del bosque rumbo al lago.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNiIDKwkIRBnnerkxAUUmJxeFZq08Qz2L_rgWLzG8Kz10E1y4jUOyg6acuG5rvyICsM814228LHWexLlIsx0SJQ8_1yp239OFIR5Hl5BWtFH7aeOn1MEQnhQmntJQJlYWXhvBhpmo9xB4BEDJ2JyILFTElTEoGosD5nfv8CEd1_F4BPH65PRNTuzr/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNiIDKwkIRBnnerkxAUUmJxeFZq08Qz2L_rgWLzG8Kz10E1y4jUOyg6acuG5rvyICsM814228LHWexLlIsx0SJQ8_1yp239OFIR5Hl5BWtFH7aeOn1MEQnhQmntJQJlYWXhvBhpmo9xB4BEDJ2JyILFTElTEoGosD5nfv8CEd1_F4BPH65PRNTuzr/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Laguna Ausente en el Valle de Olum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Después de unas horas de disfrutar de toda esta belleza a mi alrededor, absorbiendo el refrescante aire de la montaña... empecé a bajar al lago y desde allí a la carretera principal para tomar el transporte de vuelta a Ushuaia.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Para más información sobre el senderismo/trekking en <a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/trekking-tierra-del-fuego.html" target="_blank">Tierra del Fuego</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/trekking-laguna-turquesa.html" target="_blank">LAGUNA TURQUESA</a></i></b> La información sobre la ruta se puede encontrar aquí</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelyoJxxhpy1i39iHqNi0tclzm7JaLksUSOlGvsc4noDLQID38FDPULOzzJFaCCL2V_PDtzryhWLPx6skORMTkJ-XnwmQ9aFihL6I5GASvE_m8BvEHWVzW7rEiRaKR8MKfBxdPoC40wbXqfHB1vleMpPyDX_FcJcpuMXxocr0sTUvsg7JZWh-EBpz/s8217/Laguna%20Turquesa-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3528" data-original-width="8217" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelyoJxxhpy1i39iHqNi0tclzm7JaLksUSOlGvsc4noDLQID38FDPULOzzJFaCCL2V_PDtzryhWLPx6skORMTkJ-XnwmQ9aFihL6I5GASvE_m8BvEHWVzW7rEiRaKR8MKfBxdPoC40wbXqfHB1vleMpPyDX_FcJcpuMXxocr0sTUvsg7JZWh-EBpz/w640-h274/Laguna%20Turquesa-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista desde el extremo norte de la Laguna Turquesa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-43156364283210458732022-05-29T18:38:00.000+03:002022-05-29T18:38:28.553+03:00Expedición 2023: Ruta de la Seda<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUtCM9ki6o0_CHZpnn8Qr8WzS9EXVGv2Vw8Fy1_TaSolYqT_y1c_eoxWhDWnZg-58cdOmjoama91Mcdly_krZxK7fK2lZyP0nMVRU87ThkYRpdL9cp1BgU4pb_Y2jwFH7vN23aRL0KMDr36pJlyPwr2Nbn4xVW2UdUbntT1fGj0tvsTGj_Zb_K8QDL=s1080" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Istanbul to Xian 2023" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUtCM9ki6o0_CHZpnn8Qr8WzS9EXVGv2Vw8Fy1_TaSolYqT_y1c_eoxWhDWnZg-58cdOmjoama91Mcdly_krZxK7fK2lZyP0nMVRU87ThkYRpdL9cp1BgU4pb_Y2jwFH7vN23aRL0KMDr36pJlyPwr2Nbn4xVW2UdUbntT1fGj0tvsTGj_Zb_K8QDL=w400-h400" title="Expedition Map 2023" width="400" /></a><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Anuncio de Expedición - Resumen</h2>Así que después de haber presentado los países que recorreremos en nuestra expedición, presentamos nuestro proyecto de expedición <b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Historias de la Ruta de la Seda</span></i></b>. Para más detalles, consulte el sitio web de la expedición en <b><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Road of Storytellers</span></span></i></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Quien Somos</h3><div>Somos Marcell Claassen y Claire Francis, ambos apasionados por los viajes y la exploración de nuevos lugares, aunque hasta ahora a nuestra manera. Fue en África Occidental donde yo (Marcell) trabajaba como conductor/guía en un camión de <i>Overland </i>(turístico) y Claire era cliente/pasajera, y desde entonces seguimos en contacto. Para ver más antecedentes sobre nosotros, consulta nuestras biografías en <b><i><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/2022/01/silk-road-expedition-2023-crew-intro.html" target="_blank">Silk Road Expedition 2023 - Crew Intro</a></i></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Cuando Salimos</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Con una fecha de inicio prevista para mayo/junio de 2023, nosotros (Marcell y Claire) comenzaremos nuestro intento de caminar desde Estambul (Turquía) hasta Xi'an (China), una distancia de 13.000 km (8.100 millas). La ruta incorporará varios tramos de las diferentes rutas terrestres que formaban parte de lo que se conoce como la antigua Ruta de la Seda, que conectaba el oeste con China en el este.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Para ver más sobre los países - <b><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/7798130906827655074/2861112111756515941" target="_blank">Countries of the Silk Road Expedition</a> </i></b> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/2022/01/silk-road-expedition-2023-route.html" target="_blank">La Ruta</a></h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Además de algunos de los lugares más conocidos y/o de la UNESCO a lo largo de la ruta, nos dedicaremos a salir de los caminos trillados y a caminar por zonas menos conocidas. Esto nos permitirá pasar más tiempo con las comunidades y familias locales, documentando sus historias, culturas y tradiciones y "viendo" si y como las rutas comerciales de la Ruta de la Seda las influyeron. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Que Vamos a Hacer</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Buscaremos involucrarnos en proyectos comunitarios que van desde la educación hasta el turismo y la conservación. Como invitaremos a seguidores de todo el mundo a unirse a nosotros (número limitado por visita, por supuesto) durante algunos días, podrán participar con nosotros en el apoyo a estos proyectos. En los próximos 15-18 meses, revisaremos una variedad de proyectos en los que potencialmente podemos participar y/o colaborar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dos proyectos que ya estamos estudiando son <i><a href="https://transcaucasiantrail.org/en/home/" target="_blank">The TransCausaian Trail</a></i> y <i><a href="https://www.pamirtrail.org/" target="_blank">The Pamir Trail</a></i> donde se están desarrollando senderos que involucran a las comunidades locales a lo largo de la ruta, a la vez que sacan al visitante de los caminos trillados.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/2022/02/support-our-expedition.html" target="_blank">Cómo puede participar/apoyar la expedición</a></h3>Por ello, invitamos también a las personas, organizaciones y empresas interesadas en apoyar la expedición y/o colaborar con nosotros de alguna manera, a <b><i><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">contactarnos</span></a></i></b>. A medida que la planificación se vaya detallando, iremos publicando actualizaciones periódicas sobre la ruta y los lugares que pretendemos visitar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-91309425311480706612022-05-29T17:38:00.003+03:002022-05-29T18:40:00.093+03:00Expedition 2023: Istanbul to Xian<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUtCM9ki6o0_CHZpnn8Qr8WzS9EXVGv2Vw8Fy1_TaSolYqT_y1c_eoxWhDWnZg-58cdOmjoama91Mcdly_krZxK7fK2lZyP0nMVRU87ThkYRpdL9cp1BgU4pb_Y2jwFH7vN23aRL0KMDr36pJlyPwr2Nbn4xVW2UdUbntT1fGj0tvsTGj_Zb_K8QDL=s1080" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Istanbul to Xian 2023" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUtCM9ki6o0_CHZpnn8Qr8WzS9EXVGv2Vw8Fy1_TaSolYqT_y1c_eoxWhDWnZg-58cdOmjoama91Mcdly_krZxK7fK2lZyP0nMVRU87ThkYRpdL9cp1BgU4pb_Y2jwFH7vN23aRL0KMDr36pJlyPwr2Nbn4xVW2UdUbntT1fGj0tvsTGj_Zb_K8QDL=w400-h400" title="Expedition Map 2023" width="400" /></a>(<i><b>en Español - <a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2022/05/expedicion-2023-ruta-de-la-seda.html" target="_blank">Anuncio de Expedición</a>)</b></i><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Expedition Announcement - Summary</h2>So after having presented the countries we’ll be travelling through on our expedition, we present our expedition project <b><i>Stories from the Silk Road</i></b>. For more details, check out the expedition website at<b><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: red;">Road of Storytellers</span></span></i></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Who we are</h3><div>We are Marcell Claassen and Claire Francis, both passionate about travel and exploring new places, albeit in our own distinct way until now. It was in West Africa where I (Marcell) was working as a driver/guide on an overland truck and Claire was a client/passenger, and since then we've remained in contact. To see more background on us, check out our bios at <b><i><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/2022/01/silk-road-expedition-2023-crew-intro.html" target="_blank">Silk Road Expedition 2023 - Crew Intro</a></i></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">When do we leave</h3>With an anticipated starting date of May/June 2023, we (Marcell and Claire) will commence our attempt to walk from Istanbul, Turkey, to Xi’an, China, a distance of 13,000 km (8,100 miles). The route will incorporate various sections of the different overland routes which were collectively part of what’s known as the ancient Silk Road that connected the west with China in the east.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To see more about the countries - <b><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/7798130906827655074/2861112111756515941" target="_blank">Countries of the Silk Road Expedition</a> </i></b> <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/2022/01/silk-road-expedition-2023-route.html" target="_blank">The Route</a></h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In addition to some better known and/or UNESCO sites along the route, we will be focusing on getting off the beaten track and walking through lesser-known areas. This will allow us to spend more time with local communities and families; documenting their stories, histories, cultures and traditions and “seeing” if and how these were influenced by the Silk Road trade routes. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">What will we do</h3>We will be looking to get involved in community-based projects ranging from education to tourism and conservation. As we will be inviting followers from around the world to join us (limited number per visit of course) for some days, they will be able to participate with us in supporting these projects. In the coming 15-18 months, we will be reviewing a variety of projects we can potentially participate in and/or collaborate with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two projects we're already looking at are <i><a href="https://transcaucasiantrail.org/en/home/" target="_blank">The TransCausaian Trail</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.pamirtrail.org/" target="_blank">The Pamir Trail</a></i> where trails are being developed that involve the local communities along the route whilst taking the visitor off the beaten track.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/2022/02/support-our-expedition.html" target="_blank">How you can participate/support the expedition</a></h3>Thus, we hereby also extend an invitation to interested persons, organisations and businesses who might be interested in supporting the expedition and/or collaborating with us in some way, to <b><i><a href="https://roadofstorytellers.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">contact us</span></a></i></b>. As the planning starts getting more detailed, we will be posting regular updates on the route and places we intend to visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-72452686035155211072022-05-28T21:37:00.001+03:002022-05-29T19:14:28.231+03:00Turquesa and Turquoise<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UZ9FiuC2H_VRUQjwlOZHVoiN20OECFdJ3n0AeSeCHBBHxN01RXgo7iGiNBt76lJw2rDgG9KxJo9GSy5idh4KsjexqF3vqcKcWKGgMo93KLqZ_uCB6u909e7oxs-4RESQVMAQ8s49BdtZc2Q95sbbv83T5dSSUQiG5qbN23tYaAQXx1CTkPb3vFrz/s1600/Laguna%20Turquesa%20-%20turquoise.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UZ9FiuC2H_VRUQjwlOZHVoiN20OECFdJ3n0AeSeCHBBHxN01RXgo7iGiNBt76lJw2rDgG9KxJo9GSy5idh4KsjexqF3vqcKcWKGgMo93KLqZ_uCB6u909e7oxs-4RESQVMAQ8s49BdtZc2Q95sbbv83T5dSSUQiG5qbN23tYaAQXx1CTkPb3vFrz/w640-h360/Laguna%20Turquesa%20-%20turquoise.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>(en español - <a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2022/05/turquesa-y-turquoise.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Turquesa y Turquoise</span></a>)</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mid-April the sunrise is already considerably later than summer so when I arrived with a taxi at the trailhead at 07:15am, it was still dark. The trail I was going up was a new one for me - Laguna Turquesa, pretty much due south of the very well-known and popular Laguna Esmeralda. Both these trails start from the main Route 3 (Ruta 3) around 20km from Ushuaia. Laguna Turquesa's start is about 1km west of the large parking area where Laguna Esmeralda's trailhead is situated.</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I got my gear and backpack sorted and headlamp on and headed off into the forest. This isn't a very long trail but has a considerable incline through the forest to reach the upper open areas and the actual lake.</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The great thing about walking these trails with a headlamp is that the reflective markers are visible into the distance - actually making the trail following so much easier...for me anyway. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWUZt3iAA0TEmIfANQkF9bh4aKTQBrAT0uotB8WK4CVnb3Ws2QxlqAVMVHR7u60gF9fsdAFvB8YSCSpPtdi-qHHEtvmOXT_1eeIsQhXebo3fcIbylyJbW1ezHqMmhq-InUTCypzbenE1Oh5zdmFLjDz4qfoxvvAzK8ckskTY_zGR3VnNwl2WW2Ppt/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWUZt3iAA0TEmIfANQkF9bh4aKTQBrAT0uotB8WK4CVnb3Ws2QxlqAVMVHR7u60gF9fsdAFvB8YSCSpPtdi-qHHEtvmOXT_1eeIsQhXebo3fcIbylyJbW1ezHqMmhq-InUTCypzbenE1Oh5zdmFLjDz4qfoxvvAzK8ckskTY_zGR3VnNwl2WW2Ppt/s320/Laguna%20Turquesa-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Through the forest canopy the sky was already starting to change colour so I was hoping I could get out and near the lake around sunrise time to get some great skies and maybe some reflections in the lake.</p><div style="text-align: justify;">Getting out the forest, there was still a short way to go and the final ascent to the lake - Laguna Turquesa. Outside the forest there was of course considerably more light and the sky was also lightening up as the day was breaking.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIAWZ6XMdEoDWIaYHjFG63yXGYEDAz2zM6qc7bLU1XwEq58__VD6-TbCKOmK4cDW9tAmWwfNF5HpojHTFvYGzp2TktzrvDDEb5dwWBlFog8IiLcRNozSg9k8gsHBSOEJdpWOtI2NRmrBHgr9c9j4ekM3UQJkwKJXqRbMv7M6ynGOvWvG7rFf3Gz8/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIAWZ6XMdEoDWIaYHjFG63yXGYEDAz2zM6qc7bLU1XwEq58__VD6-TbCKOmK4cDW9tAmWwfNF5HpojHTFvYGzp2TktzrvDDEb5dwWBlFog8IiLcRNozSg9k8gsHBSOEJdpWOtI2NRmrBHgr9c9j4ekM3UQJkwKJXqRbMv7M6ynGOvWvG7rFf3Gz8/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View north from the area between the forest and Laguna Turquesa<br />- Laguna Esmeralda just visible in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This last section has a few muddy bits but not much really in comparison to some treks in Tierra del Fuego. Reaching the lake, I was still the only one around - another benefit of heading off early on the treks! Plus...the light was looking amazing!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt0NznMhYb9NOXGplvC8DFZo6Zl0F2d5aTAT_IF38f-VZdUVDSGgd_KUBjtl03J7kFzmcCSuuBvNpyyJli_LhYmftsWRWDE1UISRgm3uCWAydT_J64YJH3dIAl05eXK3NFNuQ_684JCJedHZz2fONmxhEzoKASGTuQPyWDQc_dCJtpmJcNG7aINj5/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt0NznMhYb9NOXGplvC8DFZo6Zl0F2d5aTAT_IF38f-VZdUVDSGgd_KUBjtl03J7kFzmcCSuuBvNpyyJli_LhYmftsWRWDE1UISRgm3uCWAydT_J64YJH3dIAl05eXK3NFNuQ_684JCJedHZz2fONmxhEzoKASGTuQPyWDQc_dCJtpmJcNG7aINj5/w480-h640/Laguna%20Turquesa-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Working my way around the lake, the views were just incredible - I wasn't going particularly fast either as I stopped every few moments to take more photos! I was working myself to a higher point on the southern side of the lake to get some better views over the lake northwards toward Laguna Esmeralda.</div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoBaYxOFMKK4o8nsQ_FeVlJaKqgb1ae3_bCey42ZXRJiWszUuYWDU4ab-JZsxSV8KXPi1LoCQGAdBph3YPkzgSb6J8OHRJX9ZwlLoq5_ZXjIiAOJkl6IwhbAX2gdG1rmih7PqTdDTpOR5aqECnJI05vBHN8zD0CUcf_odLRJp_lS3PBlAUX1Q-Q_-/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoBaYxOFMKK4o8nsQ_FeVlJaKqgb1ae3_bCey42ZXRJiWszUuYWDU4ab-JZsxSV8KXPi1LoCQGAdBph3YPkzgSb6J8OHRJX9ZwlLoq5_ZXjIiAOJkl6IwhbAX2gdG1rmih7PqTdDTpOR5aqECnJI05vBHN8zD0CUcf_odLRJp_lS3PBlAUX1Q-Q_-/w480-h640/Laguna%20Turquesa.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the southeastern side of the lake</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was reasonably chilly but not overly cold and it was mostly overcast although the clouds seem to be moving some. For them to move faster there needed to be more wind which isn't necessarily a good thing as the temperatures will also go down considerably then, but hey - I wasn't complaining either way, it was a spectacular morning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9ZW73dl-4Ue6qg1KiA3CCkq8X97Ur2wjyTek53GkR1FY-3_C0aywiylpm8VlQYQ4dkmtKqhQoeuhNoZsCxUDXYY5_DcPhrEzToB5BkL_I1211G7mf81yEQT7rz6apksIbdDu4VPMBmrA9kBTmTqAWiJuk0whpfNIW1uzRabaynLDEYQavvR4nF6P/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9ZW73dl-4Ue6qg1KiA3CCkq8X97Ur2wjyTek53GkR1FY-3_C0aywiylpm8VlQYQ4dkmtKqhQoeuhNoZsCxUDXYY5_DcPhrEzToB5BkL_I1211G7mf81yEQT7rz6apksIbdDu4VPMBmrA9kBTmTqAWiJuk0whpfNIW1uzRabaynLDEYQavvR4nF6P/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view north towards Laguna Esmeralda and the valley of Tierra Mayor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I decided to work my way around the southern and eastern parts of the lake higher up along the surrounding slopes. During this time the sun peeked its head out a bit and the lake started showing its true colours...the turquoise it was named for. <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh6uibUDkebiJ9Yyq4ItwrN5WUmUGOa183SVkhYNcCdC5D_l-tHJSdfFV6j4YrrE0u6pIUe_tVHgKcn5OWQTtnAH1xT6ZuyOC6SRqGAFKMxk_M2_7Mb0ozrjLu2hH_jk8kSsL7bKZbGXDkYA3gUtwCzQF5l71PdFIPNWUMVPd096vlqlH2_FLboqE/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh6uibUDkebiJ9Yyq4ItwrN5WUmUGOa183SVkhYNcCdC5D_l-tHJSdfFV6j4YrrE0u6pIUe_tVHgKcn5OWQTtnAH1xT6ZuyOC6SRqGAFKMxk_M2_7Mb0ozrjLu2hH_jk8kSsL7bKZbGXDkYA3gUtwCzQF5l71PdFIPNWUMVPd096vlqlH2_FLboqE/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from higher up along the northeastern side of the lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Getting higher, I realised I was getting onto a ridge between the valley where Laguna Turquesa is and the adjoining valley - looking down the other side, I had fantastic views into the Olum Valley and the rest of Tierra Mayor stretching away into the distance. The autumn colours were just simply mind-blowing!!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2pQrdnnYnqmW_EaxzFmzDnWQin0ROVjxro_Ow9XnkwJBpeZg-gmnNGmRvsBiWxN1zwpibjdNT-ZUnwn1qvX75v7P5hd8Qx8XXwbzxQdZPrnyTrpQwBia-y2MP5KX5LD5dUGo6PvtpfNq7-8iVbF3beZ7ZJ-5AvwygfhcXkYNSa9w4ct3amO6YOK_/s9390/Laguna%20Turquesa-11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3894" data-original-width="9390" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2pQrdnnYnqmW_EaxzFmzDnWQin0ROVjxro_Ow9XnkwJBpeZg-gmnNGmRvsBiWxN1zwpibjdNT-ZUnwn1qvX75v7P5hd8Qx8XXwbzxQdZPrnyTrpQwBia-y2MP5KX5LD5dUGo6PvtpfNq7-8iVbF3beZ7ZJ-5AvwygfhcXkYNSa9w4ct3amO6YOK_/w640-h266/Laguna%20Turquesa-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over the Olum Valley and Laguna Ausente in the foreground - <br />Tierra Mayor stretching out east along the mountains in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was once again in my happy place...in the mountains surrounded by panoramas that I could never tire of. It was only after an hour after I had arrived, that I saw some other people coming out the forest on their way to the lake.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNiIDKwkIRBnnerkxAUUmJxeFZq08Qz2L_rgWLzG8Kz10E1y4jUOyg6acuG5rvyICsM814228LHWexLlIsx0SJQ8_1yp239OFIR5Hl5BWtFH7aeOn1MEQnhQmntJQJlYWXhvBhpmo9xB4BEDJ2JyILFTElTEoGosD5nfv8CEd1_F4BPH65PRNTuzr/s4032/Laguna%20Turquesa-13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNiIDKwkIRBnnerkxAUUmJxeFZq08Qz2L_rgWLzG8Kz10E1y4jUOyg6acuG5rvyICsM814228LHWexLlIsx0SJQ8_1yp239OFIR5Hl5BWtFH7aeOn1MEQnhQmntJQJlYWXhvBhpmo9xB4BEDJ2JyILFTElTEoGosD5nfv8CEd1_F4BPH65PRNTuzr/w640-h480/Laguna%20Turquesa-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoomed in on Laguna Ausente in the Olum Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>After a few hours of just drinking in all this beauty around me, absorbing the refreshing mountain air...I started to head down to the lake and from there back to the main road to get the transport back to Ushuaia.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>For more info on Trekking in <a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/trekking-tierra-del-fuego.html" target="_blank">Tierra del Fuego</a></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/trekking-laguna-turquesa.html" target="_blank">LAGUNA TURQUESA</a></i></b> trail info can be found here</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelyoJxxhpy1i39iHqNi0tclzm7JaLksUSOlGvsc4noDLQID38FDPULOzzJFaCCL2V_PDtzryhWLPx6skORMTkJ-XnwmQ9aFihL6I5GASvE_m8BvEHWVzW7rEiRaKR8MKfBxdPoC40wbXqfHB1vleMpPyDX_FcJcpuMXxocr0sTUvsg7JZWh-EBpz/s8217/Laguna%20Turquesa-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3528" data-original-width="8217" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvelyoJxxhpy1i39iHqNi0tclzm7JaLksUSOlGvsc4noDLQID38FDPULOzzJFaCCL2V_PDtzryhWLPx6skORMTkJ-XnwmQ9aFihL6I5GASvE_m8BvEHWVzW7rEiRaKR8MKfBxdPoC40wbXqfHB1vleMpPyDX_FcJcpuMXxocr0sTUvsg7JZWh-EBpz/w640-h274/Laguna%20Turquesa-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the northern tip of Laguna Turquesa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com154°44'02.2"S 68°08'37.9"W, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina-54.733933 -68.14385399999999-83.044166836178846 -103.30010399999999 -26.423699163821155 -32.98760399999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-27118417828586123942021-05-18T03:03:00.016+03:002021-09-05T16:21:33.110+03:00Seeing with New Eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xz4dvUPLfTM/YTTEQA9rivI/AAAAAAAAGRY/Hk2AG7QORyUaIz3WagnfBa3wbymV6urAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Seeing%2Bwith%2Bnew%2Beyes%2B%2528wide%2529.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xz4dvUPLfTM/YTTEQA9rivI/AAAAAAAAGRY/Hk2AG7QORyUaIz3WagnfBa3wbymV6urAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Seeing%2Bwith%2Bnew%2Beyes%2B%2528wide%2529.png"></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9YeKmNvW00/XU27CYGUSDI/AAAAAAAAEzw/0qJ8t7mfzeo3AoUxf7UskMrfhCVRnNAsgCLcBGAs/s1600/48399938137_fb7b37da5b_z.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9YeKmNvW00/XU27CYGUSDI/AAAAAAAAEzw/0qJ8t7mfzeo3AoUxf7UskMrfhCVRnNAsgCLcBGAs/s1600/48399938137_fb7b37da5b_z.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="San Sebastian Argetinian border sunset in Tierra del Fuego" border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="639" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9YeKmNvW00/XU27CYGUSDI/AAAAAAAAEzw/0qJ8t7mfzeo3AoUxf7UskMrfhCVRnNAsgCLcBGAs/w640-h394/48399938137_fb7b37da5b_z.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<p> </p><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: medium;">"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes"</span> - <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Marcel Proust</span></i></blockquote>
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<span>The air was a brisk -10° Celsius as I arrived at the San Sebastián, the northern Argentinian border on the island of Tierra del Fuego. The orange and pink painted sky was enhanced by its reflection off the snow-covered landscape.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">(5 July 2019) I had been offered a waiting room to spend the night, or as long as I wanted, in a place pretty much only known for being the border post. Most travellers won't even be able to tell you what it looks like never mind other scenery. The likely comment would be "...I was sleeping because there's nothing for miles and miles..."<br>
</div><a href="http://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/08/seeing-with-new-eyes.html#more"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0San Sebastián, Tierra del Fuego, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina-53.2995532 -68.4575038-78.70567094068609 -103.61375380000001 -27.89343545931391 -33.301253799999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-27304331418557754652019-10-04T18:17:00.005+03:002022-05-29T19:28:35.526+03:00Trekking in Ushuaia Winter, End of the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WG1oaZqP7-g/YTTHA8jL5EI/AAAAAAAAGRk/e3g7FtPqEtk-qrWJ7uI0ytN4CawadPWMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trekking%2Bin%2Bwinter-Ushuaia.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WG1oaZqP7-g/YTTHA8jL5EI/AAAAAAAAGRk/e3g7FtPqEtk-qrWJ7uI0ytN4CawadPWMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Trekking%2Bin%2Bwinter-Ushuaia.png" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>(en Español - Trekking en Ushuaia Invernal, el Fin del Mundo) enlace estara pronto</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
Early spring has arrived in Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. The snowy season hasn’t gone yet this year, so I thought it a good time to take advantage of a relatively good day and trek to one of the mountains directly behind Ushuaia, Cerro del Medio (<i>middle mountain</i>). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyMhLn6I_jI/YTTJs47JU9I/AAAAAAAAGRs/2UExJRJyOT8XQQbItGzo9J9r-jT8puULwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_6f29eaff_d389_1e78_7f10_6cb0048690be.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyMhLn6I_jI/YTTJs47JU9I/AAAAAAAAGRs/2UExJRJyOT8XQQbItGzo9J9r-jT8puULwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h310/blogtouch_picture_6f29eaff_d389_1e78_7f10_6cb0048690be.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I headed off from 25 de Mayo street, pretty much in the centre of town, and ascended almost directly towards the mountains. After a few sets of stairs and short trail sections, I left the last houses behind onto the trail proper. This enters the forest where there was still a fair amount of snow although also a few muddy sections. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Half an hour later on the trail it was only snow and the forest was looking amazing. Initially always on one or other side of the stream coming down, the sound of the bubbling water mixing with bird calls made for a tranquil atmosphere. In the first parts there were also various tracks in the snow, compacted to ice by many feet. This diminished substantially as I ascended more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6t1M4M8NyCk/YTTKNI7aLtI/AAAAAAAAGR0/EklrEJ8xF48zuKHCPlrAu5nOQxIM96--wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_d6d58425_b597_a500_6f0b_aa0a08692d4b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6t1M4M8NyCk/YTTKNI7aLtI/AAAAAAAAGR0/EklrEJ8xF48zuKHCPlrAu5nOQxIM96--wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/blogtouch_picture_d6d58425_b597_a500_6f0b_aa0a08692d4b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="text-align: justify;">I reached a beautiful spot with a little bridge over the stream where there were also a few seats and a table made from cut tree trunks. (3.9km) From here there was only 2 sets of tracks continuing further up the mountain...and deeper snow. For the ascent I was using these tracks, limiting my chances of trekking deep and soft snow. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shsFsiNYDuY/YTTKz1_7pOI/AAAAAAAAGR8/hwsQgrGkHTUbU3X2Va2YDEcQzfFHONJxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_dbbebf25_54f7_eeb5_fe56_46482d910c25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shsFsiNYDuY/YTTKz1_7pOI/AAAAAAAAGR8/hwsQgrGkHTUbU3X2Va2YDEcQzfFHONJxgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h368/blogtouch_picture_dbbebf25_54f7_eeb5_fe56_46482d910c25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>Although not steep, the trail was now constantly ascending and with the snow, becoming a bit energy-sapping at times. But, following the tracks was helping a lot and soon I was leaving the forest out onto the open snow slopes of the mountains. The views were just simply spectacular surrounded by a variety of peaks, the majority with their jagged splendour. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJNZejPXkEs/YTTLFI-aeOI/AAAAAAAAGSE/BHGulIbH90UW9uesJqT94bFY3DR0sFBdACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_a967988a_dca9_5299_9590_d61f4bf05a91.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1600" height="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJNZejPXkEs/YTTLFI-aeOI/AAAAAAAAGSE/BHGulIbH90UW9uesJqT94bFY3DR0sFBdACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h344/blogtouch_picture_a967988a_dca9_5299_9590_d61f4bf05a91.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">View southeast toward the Beagle Channel.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">During the trek through the forest, the trail is marked with yellow markers and reflectors on trees at reasonably regular intervals. Out here in the open snow, there were yellow stakes with reflectors - probably also at regular intervals but some were completely buried in the snow. At least I had the 3-4 day old tracks to follow and the gps, so I wasn’t going to get lost soon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3gfb7t1VUg/YTTLTH47w_I/AAAAAAAAGSI/KiJNcWHMOwwERz8d5j00xe5-YXS_iaCuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/71941039_2942079332487182_8659342277115641856_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1440" height="604" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3gfb7t1VUg/YTTLTH47w_I/AAAAAAAAGSI/KiJNcWHMOwwERz8d5j00xe5-YXS_iaCuwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h604/71941039_2942079332487182_8659342277115641856_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Final sections: from here still had 20min to go.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The trail enters a type of valley between the mountains and then turns west up a ridge. Here the snow was getting decidedly deeper, even on the tracks at average 30-40cm. On the ridge and a bit of a scree slope not covered by snow (only about 10m wide) the trail turns heads almost south, approaching the summit from the “back”. Much steeper here with even deeper snow, the going was slow but I was close and motivated. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaIMFjZ9o8w/YTTLyA7irCI/AAAAAAAAGSc/R8cVCwCiHOUy19uGFcTe4CEs2Qw8WCl0QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_e003782b_fa83_653b_253a_2c48ff590720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaIMFjZ9o8w/YTTLyA7irCI/AAAAAAAAGSc/R8cVCwCiHOUy19uGFcTe4CEs2Qw8WCl0QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h412/blogtouch_picture_e003782b_fa83_653b_253a_2c48ff590720.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">View east toward Monte Olivia (in the foreground) </span><br /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">and Cinco Hermanos behind that.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The best of all is that as I reached these parts, the sun came out and stayed out. Even better was, hardly any wind!! With only a breeze and the sun shining, this was an absolutely winner of a day. So with everything now lit up with only some dark clouds as backdrop across the Beagle Channel, I reached the summit of Cerro del Medio at 948m altitude after 6.9km and 3h15. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTn6SF5f14E/YTTMBI50fOI/AAAAAAAAGSg/NB9NCbXNESc7F6DVXYcUs7fu16XslwoBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_b3060f48_abec_a01f_9d6a_8f811c61f3a6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTn6SF5f14E/YTTMBI50fOI/AAAAAAAAGSg/NB9NCbXNESc7F6DVXYcUs7fu16XslwoBQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h434/blogtouch_picture_b3060f48_abec_a01f_9d6a_8f811c61f3a6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">View from the summit: Ushuaia, the airports and the Beagle Channel</span><br /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">bordered in the south by the island of Navarino (Chile).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Just absorbing the views around me I was lost for words to describe really how breathtaking these views were. From the snow-covered mountains behind me, to the mountains and Beagle Channel east of Ushuaia, to the city, bay and airports below me to the west with the Chilean mountains west of Navarino Island. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wm_e6E1smUA/YTTMQqrXvVI/AAAAAAAAGSs/Q1ysgu971NoOlVsgLfzpbAbP5LfJ2iWiwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_837a4010_db59_4668_73a7_923f3ff58dd9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wm_e6E1smUA/YTTMQqrXvVI/AAAAAAAAGSs/Q1ysgu971NoOlVsgLfzpbAbP5LfJ2iWiwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/blogtouch_picture_837a4010_db59_4668_73a7_923f3ff58dd9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">View across the Beagle Channel more west.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a flask of coffee with me so I was enjoying something warm to drink, not that it was actually cold. In the distance off the west though, the wind was starting to whip up the water so this peak would pretty soon be a very blowy place...time to head down. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHci2lBl1EU/YTTMguUx0NI/AAAAAAAAGS0/XdXNoERUxsAiIpWfi968Oxab_YqOF5f-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_173a8885_6907_f837_1ab5_f35cce521bbe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHci2lBl1EU/YTTMguUx0NI/AAAAAAAAGS0/XdXNoERUxsAiIpWfi968Oxab_YqOF5f-gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h408/blogtouch_picture_173a8885_6907_f837_1ab5_f35cce521bbe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">More summit views of the neighbouring mountains.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This time following on the tracks was not an option. With them being partially frozen, they’re super slippery on a descent so I descended to one side of them through the softer snow, many times at least knee deep. Just before the forest and inside, the snow was substantially deeper - hip deep. Even though I was descending reasonably quickly, there was not a moment I could take my eyes off the trail. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLAJJzStIVU/YTTMvpO8FVI/AAAAAAAAGS4/BJKOT7kaCHMd-RTBAvrR_CrHSBCz5ECPACNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/blogtouch_picture_281f472e_cd54_7484_df5f_f5750879754b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLAJJzStIVU/YTTMvpO8FVI/AAAAAAAAGS4/BJKOT7kaCHMd-RTBAvrR_CrHSBCz5ECPACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/blogtouch_picture_281f472e_cd54_7484_df5f_f5750879754b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">On the descent at the rest spot and its little bridge.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">All went well and I finally hit the streets of Ushuaia again. Arriving at the hostel (Refugio del Mochilero), I had completed 13.3km and a descent in 1h50. </div>
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What a fantastic trek and straight from town and without needing any transport. I can really recommend this trek which in summer might be a bit easier in some senses without the snow. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWR1LHvdMxc/YTTNAAfuluI/AAAAAAAAGTA/x-ZQES7YBxkoelSxhRht9gXfafug5WiFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_b431f92e_b191_5369_c59f_5e0a8e51010e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWR1LHvdMxc/YTTNAAfuluI/AAAAAAAAGTA/x-ZQES7YBxkoelSxhRht9gXfafug5WiFQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h420/blogtouch_picture_b431f92e_b191_5369_c59f_5e0a8e51010e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Part of the last 30min of the ascent - </span><br /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cerro Dos Banderas looming east of the trail.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com1Ushuaia Department, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina-54.779346004596107 -68.34620976699216-54.815971504596106 -68.426890766992159 -54.742720504596107 -68.265528766992162tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-44864203199590132162019-09-12T21:42:00.009+03:002021-09-05T17:21:09.134+03:00Hidden Marvels of Chilean Tierra del Fuego<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYJUdu9Nf14/YTTQ9xzK-HI/AAAAAAAAGTM/H-qUW8gffzcqIsA6Nil2O6kPV2NANNhPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Hidden%2BMarvels.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYJUdu9Nf14/YTTQ9xzK-HI/AAAAAAAAGTM/H-qUW8gffzcqIsA6Nil2O6kPV2NANNhPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Hidden%2BMarvels.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: medium;">...there was not a single photo nor the directions to an exact place...</span></blockquote>
There were rumours and there were even official brochures that mentioned them but...there was not a single photo nor the directions to an exact place...<b><i>the caves apparently below the Cabo Espíritu Santo Lighthouse.</i></b><div><b><i><br /></i></b>
Visiting the area during my winter exploration of Chilean Tierra del Fuego, I chatted to Rodrigo (the Naval lighthouse keeper) and asked about these caves that are said to be below the lighthouse. He had obviously also seen and heard the rumours but to date did not know of any caves here. Mission established, we agreed to go out the next day, take rope and abseil down the cliffs at a reasonably stable and low spot, and go see what we can find. It was also important that we went during or just before low tide as the high tide comes right up against the cliffs.</div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyWFPxW1JqI/XXpNqyZ0KzI/AAAAAAAAE3s/bOkTb7RQiv8cTO5X9kuNxdku3o6PmbOAACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48713375348_13b8eb4173_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The cliffs of Cabo Espíritu Santo" border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="640" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyWFPxW1JqI/XXpNqyZ0KzI/AAAAAAAAE3s/bOkTb7RQiv8cTO5X9kuNxdku3o6PmbOAACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h408/48713375348_13b8eb4173_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs of Cabo Espíritu Santo</td></tr>
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<h4>
The Hunt</h4>
Under the lighthouse, right into Argentine territory, there were no caves to be found but a lot of rockfalls which would've blocked and closed any caves if there had been any. Following the cliffs, at least 5m+ from them due to being hugely unstable, we walked the low tide beach northwards. The tidal differences here are massive with an average difference of 5-7m which over here below the lighthouse means the water bares the beach almost a kilometre.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku_kabbdwgQ/XXpPRe_TZLI/AAAAAAAAE38/HOhT2KDp_ystkQhgTjeEs_EQ-o8eFrjwACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48599756631_89238db392_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="639" height="387" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku_kabbdwgQ/XXpPRe_TZLI/AAAAAAAAE38/HOhT2KDp_ystkQhgTjeEs_EQ-o8eFrjwACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h387/48599756631_89238db392_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An indication of the extent of the tidal differences - Low Tide! </td></tr>
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Reaching some parts of the cliff where the lower third of the cliff-face was solid rock, it looked like there were some openings/gaps in the rockface. Getting closer, after checking the upper parts of the cliff was reasonably safe to walk under, we went into the first opening.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCI314e_FK0/XXpPRXNwauI/AAAAAAAAE4I/aOY03kHzioQ74pBO2ZvCT-bH0yXnpJXjACEwYBhgL/s1600/48538937477_ae3d60715b_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Huge cave opening in northern Chilean Tierra del Fuego" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCI314e_FK0/XXpPRXNwauI/AAAAAAAAE4I/aOY03kHzioQ74pBO2ZvCT-bH0yXnpJXjACEwYBhgL/w640-h480/48538937477_ae3d60715b_z.jpg" title="Huge cave opening in northern Chilean Tierra del Fuego" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to another world OR earth exit?</td></tr>
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We just stared and looked at each other with big eyes...and speechless! It was like we had just walked onto another planet!! The colours of the algae on the walls and roof were surreal, and with the sun shining into the entrance, the colour contrasts were even more striking! Taking photos like nutters and kids in a candy store, we went into the next cave, then the next...until we just backed away and looked at the cliffs from a distance that gave no hint of the marvels they protected within.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FreBHCgla38/XXpPRS3Gi-I/AAAAAAAAE4M/P1GpVwIIjpA9ASxbmhjx-MfIN50VB4RgwCEwYBhgL/s1600/48599522347_b2f84bc33a_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Colourful algae in the newly found caves in northern Chilean Tierra del Fuego" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FreBHCgla38/XXpPRS3Gi-I/AAAAAAAAE4M/P1GpVwIIjpA9ASxbmhjx-MfIN50VB4RgwCEwYBhgL/w480-h640/48599522347_b2f84bc33a_z.jpg" title="Colourful algae" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular! Other adjectives for this still escape me!</td></tr>
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There were 4-5 caves, one not being overly deep but a decent overhang makes it a sort of "open" cave. Everything was wet though, right up to the roof, meaning that the high tide filled up these caves so access would only be during low tide for a short time. Under the algae in the one cave, we found some initials scratched out but completely overgrown with dense algae, somebody estimated afterwards that it would date back probably at least 10 years. Was that the last time somebody had been here? What stories did these mysterious caves have to tell?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gK5-KTk42Q/XXpRRuRTc0I/AAAAAAAAE4c/EWc9mVMSXXQBpalXbm4c_7zQs7L1IpdZACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48607111021_ab1f62eb2b_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="640" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gK5-KTk42Q/XXpRRuRTc0I/AAAAAAAAE4c/EWc9mVMSXXQBpalXbm4c_7zQs7L1IpdZACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h346/48607111021_ab1f62eb2b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Patio" of the one cave</td></tr>
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So, in the end, we proved the rumours of caves under the lighthouse, unfounded; but, we found other caves that just left us speechless with their incredible colour and texture contrasts. Publishing some of these photos online, we were told that these were very likely the first photos of the caves. It appears so too from what Rodrigo and I could find i.e. that there are no photos, online anyway, of these caves.<br />
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<i><b>This is absolutely what Tierra del Fuego - Patagonia does every time...just when you think you've seen it all, it pulls back the curtain on yet another spectacular marvel!</b></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhuNNhSR2t4/XXqRUS0OW9I/AAAAAAAAE4w/vXoI2VFnLio4nia0lssgAZusSOQPw76bwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/48600622306_b92844f3c1_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhuNNhSR2t4/XXqRUS0OW9I/AAAAAAAAE4w/vXoI2VFnLio4nia0lssgAZusSOQPw76bwCNcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/48600622306_b92844f3c1_z.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of the colourful caves.</td></tr>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com2Faro Cabo Espiritu Santo, Tierra del Fuego, Chile-52.657181040470881 -68.60852794665135-52.659589040470884 -68.613570446651352 -52.654773040470879 -68.603485446651348tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-66267124778746849052019-08-09T17:22:00.003+03:002021-09-05T17:37:42.215+03:00Fuelling a Ghost Town: Puerto Percy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oM3ibI_N7Zk/YTTWKVtfiJI/AAAAAAAAGTU/fDus6PcCHe0ppcaiFvsIuaGGKCy-wso8gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Fuelling%2Ba%2Bghost%2Btown.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oM3ibI_N7Zk/YTTWKVtfiJI/AAAAAAAAGTU/fDus6PcCHe0ppcaiFvsIuaGGKCy-wso8gCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Fuelling%2Ba%2Bghost%2Btown.png"/></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: large;">The silence was almost unearthly, even the wind seemed to be holding its breath...</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_NlZHjbjYQ/XU18oTdMPlI/AAAAAAAAEx4/8ERXt3CvYRMzBqIoNphYQUUg21egu-pawCEwYBhgL/s1600/48482569377_313a0f30cf_z.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunset in Puerto Percy ghost town through the broken panes of glass." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="448" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_NlZHjbjYQ/XU18oTdMPlI/AAAAAAAAEx4/8ERXt3CvYRMzBqIoNphYQUUg21egu-pawCEwYBhgL/w448-h640/48482569377_313a0f30cf_z.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">A gull scream followed by the clatter of a metal sheet shattered the moment, a moment left in shards like the numerous window frames. </span>
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<i>Abandoned in 1995, Puerto Percy is a relatively "young" ghost town</i>.<br />
Patagonian winds hammered at it from various angles across the plains of Tierra del Fuego ensuring that someone even remotely nervous would be looking around constantly at the banging and scratching sounds echoing through the air. </div>
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This is probably not the type of place many would elect to stay the night but I liked it somehow and was going to stay two nights.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stEibXME6Ak/XU18TE4k0JI/AAAAAAAAExs/DE6ie8M1B7oV8tTD02xOY2MvObtHUfm2wCLcBGAs/s1600/48482411776_f31d7b187a_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset over the ghost town of Puerto Percy, Tierra del Fuego, Chile" border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="640" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stEibXME6Ak/XU18TE4k0JI/AAAAAAAAExs/DE6ie8M1B7oV8tTD02xOY2MvObtHUfm2wCLcBGAs/w640-h378/48482411776_f31d7b187a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over a seafront house in Puerto Percy.</td></tr>
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Established here in the Bahía Gente Grande (north of Porvenir) in 1950 by the Empresa Nacional del Petroleo (ENAP - a state petroleum company formed in 1945) to serve as a port for tanker ships to transfer crude oil from Tierra del Fuego to Chilean refineries. </div>
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The same year, a sea terminal further south in the bay at Caleta Clarencia was also built. Story has it that in the final years this port did not have the depth though required to fully load the tankers, so they would be loaded around 50% with the balance being loaded in Puerto Percy which also had gas storage tanks. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN8iuMxkvds/XU19eljASZI/AAAAAAAAEyA/SjIKi4BqEUQmg6VLC_7iRfKXf_O0mys2QCLcBGAs/s1600/48483014477_6caf2df58e_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Workshops, warehouse and gimnasium at the old pier in Puerto Percy ghost town." border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN8iuMxkvds/XU19eljASZI/AAAAAAAAEyA/SjIKi4BqEUQmg6VLC_7iRfKXf_O0mys2QCLcBGAs/w640-h480/48483014477_6caf2df58e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workshops and warehouse with the gimnasium at the back.<br />The older of the two piers in the foreground.</td></tr>
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The pipeline transporting the crude from the rest of Tierra del Fuego to Puerto Percy got damaged in its last years so the oil was trucked to Puerto Percy for two years. Needless to say the costs of this was astronomical in comparison with the product being transferred by pipeline. </div>
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This led to the closure of Puerto Percy and the relocation of some operations and tanks to the Estancia San Gregorio on the other side of the Strait of Magellan with a submarine pipeline from Tierra del Fuego.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq2UdYIDrwI/XU199RROZ1I/AAAAAAAAEyI/9AsKRHKstVg9Yq8VpbXJYdJdbiZF-8eYQCLcBGAs/s1600/48482898091_9effac61e5_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View over Puerto Percy ghost town in Tierra del Fuego, Chile" border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq2UdYIDrwI/XU199RROZ1I/AAAAAAAAEyI/9AsKRHKstVg9Yq8VpbXJYdJdbiZF-8eYQCLcBGAs/w640-h400/48482898091_9effac61e5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View towards Puerto Percy from one of the crude oil tanks.</td></tr>
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It's quite incredible to see what infrastructure that had been in place in Puerto Percy. The town had electricity and gas and water was piped from two large tanks at Caleta Clarencia - 10km away by road. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAJUphnQKVI/XU1_EgpYlpI/AAAAAAAAEyU/xpBQN-Lm4NgHFTttN2QcGPwv3WHLNAxPACLcBGAs/s1600/48480558167_6595faf2d7_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Water tanks above Caleta Clarencia that served Puerto Percy 10km away" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAJUphnQKVI/XU1_EgpYlpI/AAAAAAAAEyU/xpBQN-Lm4NgHFTttN2QcGPwv3WHLNAxPACLcBGAs/w640-h480/48480558167_6595faf2d7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water tanks above Caleta Clarencia that served Puerto Percy 10km away.</td></tr>
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The houses look to have been comfortable with each building consisting of two 3-bedroom homes, each with kitchen, dining room, lounge and bathroom. </div>
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The town school was massive and even featured a kitchen the size of which could easily cater for over 50-80 people. In addition to this, there was a clinic and a church for the community.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jHUe5n3MTc/XU1_pGMb2RI/AAAAAAAAEyc/GpO4zx5MrksLmK5c2cO3SkjqID045ZeTQCLcBGAs/s1600/48483101312_e5e9b4f673_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The houses of Puerto Percy in the distance with the large school building on the right." border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="640" height="379" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jHUe5n3MTc/XU1_pGMb2RI/AAAAAAAAEyc/GpO4zx5MrksLmK5c2cO3SkjqID045ZeTQCLcBGAs/w640-h379/48483101312_e5e9b4f673_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The houses in the distance with the large school building on the right.</td></tr>
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A gimnasium with basketball court etc. was near the school and obviously considered important enough to have its own huge generator. Bathrooms and showers were not in short supply either with enough to cater for at least 15 people at any given moment simultaneously. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: medium;">Travelling is a brutality...all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.</span></blockquote>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Im9HJYrGb4/XU2Ah-Xj3-I/AAAAAAAAEyo/cfxuHXLsRbgk4fowxcBhRCtN7LpnfTC2QCLcBGAs/s1600/48483014662_751b67a8fa_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The older of the two piers in Puerto Percy." border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Im9HJYrGb4/XU2Ah-Xj3-I/AAAAAAAAEyo/cfxuHXLsRbgk4fowxcBhRCtN7LpnfTC2QCLcBGAs/w640-h480/48483014662_751b67a8fa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The older of the two piers in Puerto Percy.</td></tr>
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The port area of the town has two piers, one clearly much older and probably the first one that was in use and now falling apart. The second still fairly solid, appears to be the pier used during the final years of the town's existence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a06y6zO7LQY/XU2A1RPKscI/AAAAAAAAEyw/MxyxNLy7gGUiHsUPqKEXY58Ri6eF3uXIQCLcBGAs/s1600/48482242262_9b167831bc_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The newer pier in Puerto Percy with pipelines and valves for loading the tankers." border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a06y6zO7LQY/XU2A1RPKscI/AAAAAAAAEyw/MxyxNLy7gGUiHsUPqKEXY58Ri6eF3uXIQCLcBGAs/w640-h480/48482242262_9b167831bc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newer pier in Puerto Percy with pipelines and valves for loading the tankers.</td></tr>
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Pipelines and valve connections are pretty much still in place as if the last ship departed just the other day but, the gulls and cormorants were the only arrivals and departures now. Kelp and Upland Geese now patrol the pebble beach with the Magellanic Oystercatchers checking in at times. </div>
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<div style="font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it. </i></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext";">— </span><span face="".sfuitext-italic"">Cesare Pavese</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com2Puerto Percy, Primavera, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena, Chile-52.8734543 -70.1194145-52.9117743 -70.2000955 -52.8351343 -70.0387335tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-75627366798468806042019-05-17T16:56:00.007+03:002021-09-05T20:19:27.508+03:00Como escoger un buen lugar para acampar<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m32VyFCg0fg/YTT8Cp2vpQI/AAAAAAAAGV0/Zxp25RjpBnc0vZSwnAZG0b7wT_pD6-UkACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Donde%2Bpuedo%2Bcampar%2B%25281%2529.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m32VyFCg0fg/YTT8Cp2vpQI/AAAAAAAAGV0/Zxp25RjpBnc0vZSwnAZG0b7wT_pD6-UkACNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Donde%2Bpuedo%2Bcampar%2B%25281%2529.png"/></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Caminaste en un lugar silvestre durante todo el día y solo te quedas con 2-3 horas más de luz, ya estas cansado y hambriento y ahora, tienes que encontrar un lugar para armar su carpa. Lo peor será si no puedes tener un buen descanso debido a las ramas que caen en la carpa o te mojas con el agua que corre hacia la carpa durante algunas lluvias intensas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>English version</i>: <b><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/05/how-to-choose-good-site-to-camp.html?m=1" target="_blank">How to choose a good site to camp</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxnrheYKy58/YTTbFBFPogI/AAAAAAAAGTk/UqTc6SkQ67s4qUj6yjK0KY73KK2hDxuRgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxnrheYKy58/YTTbFBFPogI/AAAAAAAAGTk/UqTc6SkQ67s4qUj6yjK0KY73KK2hDxuRgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_4107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Entonces, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">qué cosas debes tener en cuenta al elegir un buen lugar para acampar</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">? Acampar en áreas silvestres puede ser una de las mejores experiencias de tu vida, pero existen riesgos que se pueden mitigar en la naturaleza.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Estas son mis recomendaciones según mis experiencias y las de otros exploradores/excursionistas experimentados. Muy rara vez encontrará el sitio "perfecto" para acampar, pero tenga en cuenta los siguientes puntos para asegurarse de que su sitio sea lo más seguro posible en sus circunstancias y ubicación elegido.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Tómate tu tiempo y busca un buen lugar; quítate la mochila y explora los alrededores. (Asegúrate de recordar dónde dejaste tu mochila!)</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">Elegiendo el sitio para acampar</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Agua</span></div>
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<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Agua para beber y cocinar es esencial. Trata de no estar muy lejos de una fuente de agua. Alternativamente, si sabes que estarás acampando lejos del agua, asegúrese de tener suficiente agua para beber, cocinar esa noche y la mañana siguiente.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Los arroyos glaciales y de montaña siempre son excelentes opciones, pero asegúrarte de tener en cuenta su distancia en caso de lluvia intensa e inundaciones repentinas. La primavera, por ejemplo, representa un riesgo mayor cuando la nieve se derrite arriba en las montañas.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Los turbales en Tierra del Fuego también son una gran fuente de agua dulce, algunos de los mejores filtros de agua en la naturaleza.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlBABXGgJAY/YTTbgQ5-CTI/AAAAAAAAGTw/QGdmMAlAPVot0TkeHTZKdonqDnf8mVi8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_05ab0141_b2da_5fa9_1893_8d95bf5ec949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlBABXGgJAY/YTTbgQ5-CTI/AAAAAAAAGTw/QGdmMAlAPVot0TkeHTZKdonqDnf8mVi8QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/blogtouch_picture_05ab0141_b2da_5fa9_1893_8d95bf5ec949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Clima</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Viento</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Busque protección contra vientos fuertes y ráfagas.</span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Detrás de unas grandes rocas o arbustos densos. Es buena que tengas en cuenta que el viento fuerte todavía puede mover rocas de tamaño considerable.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Los bosques pueden proporcionar una buena protección contra el viento. Ver si hay ramas secas arriba que puedan desprenderse y caer sobre ti..</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">La entrada de la carpa no debe hacer frente al viento.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Fogata: evitar que se vuelan o estallen las chispas del fuego en dirección a la carpa.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Un buen viento mantiene bajos los insectos voladores.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Lluvia</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Busca signos de agua que corran como colecciones de hojas y/o piedritas y surcos en el suelo.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Evita armar tu carpa en valles, cañones, huecos o cuevas poco profundas donde el agua de lluvia podría acumularse.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1cYAJdjsBQ/YTTbqrvhuWI/AAAAAAAAGT4/ex0H_SSZGEkT8dG0HB932Ar21FKpKzCLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_c4b55c9e_f997_1280_8050_2535402eb9cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1cYAJdjsBQ/YTTbqrvhuWI/AAAAAAAAGT4/ex0H_SSZGEkT8dG0HB932Ar21FKpKzCLQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_c4b55c9e_f997_1280_8050_2535402eb9cf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-weight: bold;">Sol</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Clima caluroso: busca un lugar a la sombra donde puedes instalar tu carpa. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Clima frío: el sol de la mañana siempre ayuda a secar la carpa un poco antes de empacar. Alternativamente, puedes secarla más, especialmente el piso, antes de armarla al final del día.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJgBhfhdnjs/YTTb9OipIoI/AAAAAAAAGUE/ZM1qkyUgBPgmB4emlATi7K5KehSXrpnvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0775.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJgBhfhdnjs/YTTb9OipIoI/AAAAAAAAGUE/ZM1qkyUgBPgmB4emlATi7K5KehSXrpnvgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0775.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-weight: bold;">Tormentas eléctricas</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">No quieres ser la "antena" que conduce los rayos, así que tienes que evitar las grandes áreas de agua y cumbres donde serás el punto más alto.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Evita la proximidad a los árboles altos que pueden atraer rayos y resultar en troncos y ramas que caen sobre ti. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Ten en cuenta que aunque la gente te diga que un lugar “nunca” recibe tormentas eléctricas, aún puede suceder.</span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Peninsula Mitre</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> (<a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/peninsula-mitre.html?m=1" id="id_d224_13a2_db73_4259"><span style="color: #1f43c9; font-style: italic;">https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/peninsula-mitre.html?m=1</span></a>) en Tierra del Fuego es un ejemplo. En enero / febrero de 2019 hubo dos o tres días realmente cálidos y terminé con una tormenta eléctrica de 2 horas, ¡donde los rayos cayeron a solo 50 m de la carpa!</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Nieve y Frio</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Frio:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Los cañones y valles angostos pueden ser más fríos que los partes más altas, especialmente en lugares en altura (arriba de 2,500m.s.n.m). Sin embargo, recuerda que acampar en altitud siempre será más frío/fresco</span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Considera acampar antes de un gran ascenso si es posible.</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Los bosques pueden darte algo más de protección contra el frío y minimizan el rocío y la escarcha.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgePAW04tZE/YTTcKeYmUiI/AAAAAAAAGUI/Q0AuIxTXgCEkg_7pm2bvPzDTHVcIkGG5QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_3e33bb9c_a362_b068_6ee7_8f28484fa250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgePAW04tZE/YTTcKeYmUiI/AAAAAAAAGUI/Q0AuIxTXgCEkg_7pm2bvPzDTHVcIkGG5QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_3e33bb9c_a362_b068_6ee7_8f28484fa250.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Nieve:</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Revisa el área en busca de indicios de avalanchas anteriores y escombros de tierra como árboles rotos y cantos rodados. Evita acampar debajo de los "canales" o "pasajes" en la ladera de la montaña.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Aplana y compacta el área (huella) donde estará tu carpa. Esto asegura que tengas una base sólida para armar tu carpa.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Leña</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Donde sea seguro hacer una </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">fogata</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">, tienes que ver si hay leña disponible</span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Si ha estado lloviendo, ver si hay madera seca en lugares que reciban menos lluvia, como detrás de rocas y árboles grandes. Muchas veces la madera todavía está seca en el centro después de la lluvia.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Coloca piedras alrededor de un parte de suelo sin pasto/plantas para el fuego.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Ten en cuenta la dirección y fuerza del viento.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Apaga el fuego y cubre con arena y/o piedras antes de irte a dormir.</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Ver si hay árboles secos y ramas que pueden caer sobre ti.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBtAsRB9gN4/YTTcUO6JGtI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/HkwNcmxmozA7wdb0BRL7VeL-_Cvwfz8tgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_e37888c4_0512_23a3_f675_2cf73731b51b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBtAsRB9gN4/YTTcUO6JGtI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/HkwNcmxmozA7wdb0BRL7VeL-_Cvwfz8tgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_e37888c4_0512_23a3_f675_2cf73731b51b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Fauna & Flora</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Animales:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Asegurarte de saber qué animales puedes encontrar y los riesgos relevantes, antes de salir a caminar/hacer una excursión y acampar.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Evita partes con un gran volumen de huellas de animales como rutas hacia y desde lugares para beber.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Los lugares bien protegidos a menudo son frecuentados por animales.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Comprueba que no estás armando tu carpa en un nido de hormigas o cualquier concentración de insectos, arañas, etc.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Guarda tu comida en contenedores o bolsas herméticas para minimizar las posibilidades de que los animales busquen comida durante la noche.</span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Esto es especialmente cierto en lugares de uso alto donde muchos excursionistas se detienen para acampar regularmente; mejor evitar tales lugares si es posible.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Plantas:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Se deben evitar los arbustos espinosos y especialmente las plantas de tipo ortiga.</span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Si no puedes evitar estar cerca de arbustos espinosos, asegúrate de que no haya espinas ocultas en la hojarasca que no solo dañen el piso de la tienda, sino que también hagan que el campamento sea desagradable.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTT67DJq1Dw/YTTcfXmxcvI/AAAAAAAAGUY/4v_P_p5uhrgw7oPiEBctNd7IZgwGBOXpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/blogtouch_picture_e2b4f261_06d9_85bb_87d0_6503457bdebf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1280" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTT67DJq1Dw/YTTcfXmxcvI/AAAAAAAAGUY/4v_P_p5uhrgw7oPiEBctNd7IZgwGBOXpwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h422/blogtouch_picture_e2b4f261_06d9_85bb_87d0_6503457bdebf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Terreno </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Superficie del suelo:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Los lugares herbosos no solo te brindan una superficie más suave para dormir sino que, en general, también facilitan la colocación de las estacas de la carpa.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Áreas más duras o pedregosas: busca rocas grandes, etc. a las que pueda atar las cuerdas de anclaje de la carpa.</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Seguridad:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Evita las áreas con rocas sueltas que puedan ser un signo de derrumbes o avalanchas anteriores.</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Leer también:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(Hay traductor a español)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Equipo: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Gearing up for Extreme Trekking - Peninsula Mitre </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/gearing-up-for-extreme-trekking_30.html">https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/gearing-up-for-extreme-trekking_30.html?m=1</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Comida/viveres: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Foodstuffs and Provisions in Peninsula Mitre</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/foodstuffs-and-provisions-in-peninsula.html">https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/foodstuffs-and-provisions-in-peninsula.html</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cey92JniCek/YTTcplA4ijI/AAAAAAAAGUg/1dQOEPcZVG8Vc_hVTIqA8kv2wUuZ9OZngCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_9bd55c68_0da5_181c_02e7_0577223220dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="1600" height="122" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cey92JniCek/YTTcplA4ijI/AAAAAAAAGUg/1dQOEPcZVG8Vc_hVTIqA8kv2wUuZ9OZngCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h122/blogtouch_picture_9bd55c68_0da5_181c_02e7_0577223220dd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-8318543247916707652019-05-17T16:54:00.005+03:002021-09-05T20:20:33.362+03:00How to choose a good site to camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bODGS9iO2Pg/YTT8VMJMorI/AAAAAAAAGV8/tHkJ4qOYjvUdKvrOOen34ygC_HwEWqbxACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Where%2Bcan%2BI%2Bcamp%2B%25281%2529.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bODGS9iO2Pg/YTT8VMJMorI/AAAAAAAAGV8/tHkJ4qOYjvUdKvrOOen34ygC_HwEWqbxACNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Where%2Bcan%2BI%2Bcamp%2B%25281%2529.png"/></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Wilderness trekking all day and only 2-3 hours of light left, tired and hungry, you have to now find a place to pitch your tent. The last thing you need is not getting a good rest because of branches falling on the tent or getting wet from water running into the tent during some heavy rains. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Versión Español: </i><b><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/05/como-escoger-un-buen-lugar-para-acampar.html?m=1" target="_blank">Como escoger un buen lugar para acampar</a> </b></span></div>
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<span face=""helveticaneue-bolditalic"" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">So what things do you need to take into consideration when choosing a place to camp?</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> Camping in the wilderness can be some of the best experiences of your life but, there are risks that can be mitigated out there in the wild. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">These are my recommendations based on my experiences and that of other experienced trekkers/hikers. Very seldom that you will find the ‘perfect’ campsite but take the following points into consideration to ensure your site is as safe as possible in your given circumstances and location. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Take your time and look for a good spot; take off your backpack and explore your surroundings. (Make sure you know where you left your backpack though!) </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOVBvBLPRIM/YTTbU3mlQCI/AAAAAAAAGT0/mBYRCt8QrtEHignUBg5IxzX4Pewv12mtwCPcBGAYYCw/s1579/blogtouch_picture_0eaccabb_ea92_df61_4b7c_7c4259c315ce.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1579" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOVBvBLPRIM/YTTbU3mlQCI/AAAAAAAAGT0/mBYRCt8QrtEHignUBg5IxzX4Pewv12mtwCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_0eaccabb_ea92_df61_4b7c_7c4259c315ce.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">Choosing the site to camp</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Water</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Drinking and cooking water is essential. Try not to be too far from a water source. Alternatively if you know you will be camping far from water, ensure you have enough water for drinking, cooking for that night and the next morning. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Glacial and mountain streams are always great options but ensure you take into account your distance from them in case of heavy rain and flash floods. Spring for example poses a larger risk with the snow melting higher up in the mountains. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Bogs (</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">turba</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> in Tierra del Fuego) are also a great source of freshwater - some of nature’s best filters.</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Weather</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Look for protection from any potential strong wind and gusts. </span></li>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Behind some large boulders or dense shrubs. Keep in mind that strong wind can still move considerable-sized rocks.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Forests can provide great protection from wind. Lookout for branches above that may break off and fall on you…often referred to as </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">widowmakers</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">. </span></li>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Tent entrance should not face into the wind. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Campfire: you want to avoid fiery sparks blowing in the direction of the tent. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Decent wind keeps flying insects down. </span></li>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Look for signs of water rundown like collections of leaves and/or pebbles and furrows in the soil. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Avoid pitching your tent in valleys, canyons, hollows or shallow caves where rainwater may potentially accumulate. </span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-weight: bold;">Sun</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Hot weather: area where the tent will be in the shade. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cold weather: early morning sun always helps dry out the tent a bit before packing it up. Alternatively, drying it out more, especially the floor, before pitching it at the end of the day.</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJgBhfhdnjs/YTTb9OipIoI/AAAAAAAAGUM/cdUo-N3DBJMU-GRclm2hbsMRKyBegkMBwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0775.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJgBhfhdnjs/YTTb9OipIoI/AAAAAAAAGUM/cdUo-N3DBJMU-GRclm2hbsMRKyBegkMBwCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h360/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0775.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-weight: bold;">Lightning (electric storms)</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">You don't want to be the ‘antenna’ conducting the lighting, so avoid large areas of water and summits where you’ll be the highest point.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Avoid proximity to high trees that may attract lightning and result in trunks and branches falling on you.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Note that even though people may tell you a place “never” gets electric storms, it may still happen. </span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Peninsula Mitre</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> (<a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/peninsula-mitre.html?m=1"><span style="color: #1f43c9; font-style: italic;">https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/p/peninsula-mitre.html?m=1</span></a>) in Tierra del Fuego is one example. In Jan/Feb 2019 there had been 2-3 really warm days and I ended up with a 2-hour electric storm where the lightning struck only 50m from the tent!</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Snow and Cold</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Cold:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Narrow canyons and valleys can be colder than areas a little higher, especially at higher altitudes. Remember though that camping at altitude will always be colder. </span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Consider camping before a huge ascent if possible. </span></li>
</ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Forests can provide some protection from cold and minimises the morning dew and frost. </span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgePAW04tZE/YTTcKeYmUiI/AAAAAAAAGUU/zpV_-XIj9w8NsdVzjSkF_IewO6XarZgWQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/blogtouch_picture_3e33bb9c_a362_b068_6ee7_8f28484fa250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgePAW04tZE/YTTcKeYmUiI/AAAAAAAAGUU/zpV_-XIj9w8NsdVzjSkF_IewO6XarZgWQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_3e33bb9c_a362_b068_6ee7_8f28484fa250.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Snow:</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Check area for signs of previous avalanches and landslide debris like broken trees and boulders. Avoid camping below ‘channels’ or ‘passages’ in the mountainside. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Flatten and compact the area (footprint) where your tent will be. This ensures you have a solid base to pitch your tent. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Wood</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Availability of firewood in places where it's safe to make a </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">campfire</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">. </span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">If it has been raining, check for dead wood in drier areas that get less rain like behind boulders and large trees. Many times the wood is still dry in the centre after the rain.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Put rocks around a patch of clear ground for the fire. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Keep in mind wind direction and strength. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Put out the fire and cover with sand and/or stones before going to sleep. </span></li>
</ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Check out for dry trees and branches that may fall on you. </span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBtAsRB9gN4/YTTcUO6JGtI/AAAAAAAAGUc/X1jZrZHbayQiYxpCxBiGlnGr7IO8oibewCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/blogtouch_picture_e37888c4_0512_23a3_f675_2cf73731b51b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBtAsRB9gN4/YTTcUO6JGtI/AAAAAAAAGUc/X1jZrZHbayQiYxpCxBiGlnGr7IO8oibewCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_e37888c4_0512_23a3_f675_2cf73731b51b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Wildlife & Plants</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Animals:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Ensure you know what animals you may encounter and the relevant risks, before heading out to hike/trek and camp. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Avoid an area with a high volume of animal tracks like routes to and from drinking spots. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Well sheltered spots are often frequented by animals. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Check that you're not pitching your tent on an ant’s nest or any concentration of insects, spiders etc. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Store your food in hermetically sealed containers or bags to minimise the chances of animals looking for food during the night. </span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This is especially true in high use areas where many trekkers stop to camp regularly; best to avoid such places if at all possible. </span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Plants:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Thorny bushes and especially stinging type plants need to be avoided. </span></li>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">If you can't avoid being near thorny bushes, make sure there are no thorns hidden in the leaf litter that will not only damage the tent floor but make for unpleasant camping.</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTT67DJq1Dw/YTTcfXmxcvI/AAAAAAAAGUk/C6a0oyslcR8vG8-8qKRGXRNv1Y-1L32rQCPcBGAYYCw/s1280/blogtouch_picture_e2b4f261_06d9_85bb_87d0_6503457bdebf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1280" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTT67DJq1Dw/YTTcfXmxcvI/AAAAAAAAGUk/C6a0oyslcR8vG8-8qKRGXRNv1Y-1L32rQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h422/blogtouch_picture_e2b4f261_06d9_85bb_87d0_6503457bdebf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Terrain</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Surface:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">You’ll be looking for a flat and reasonably level site. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Grassy-type places not only give you a softer sleeping surface but also generally makes it easier to get the tent pegs in. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Harder or stony areas: look for large rocks etc. to which you can tie the tent anchor lines. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Safety:</span></div>
<ul>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Avoid areas with loose rocks that might be a sign of previous landslides or avalanches. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Read as well:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Equipment: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Gearing up for Extreme Trekking - Peninsula Mitre </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/gearing-up-for-extreme-trekking_30.html" id="id_2e1_e848_d64c_dde4">https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/gearing-up-for-extreme-trekking_30.html?m=1</a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.1px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Foodstuffs: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Foodstuffs and Provisions in Peninsula Mitre</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/foodstuffs-and-provisions-in-peninsula.html">https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/foodstuffs-and-provisions-in-peninsula.html</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cey92JniCek/YTTcplA4ijI/AAAAAAAAGUo/oUm5hs4lHFQAEq99xWEdkAbDRdwJwuXSACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/blogtouch_picture_9bd55c68_0da5_181c_02e7_0577223220dd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="1600" height="122" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cey92JniCek/YTTcplA4ijI/AAAAAAAAGUo/oUm5hs4lHFQAEq99xWEdkAbDRdwJwuXSACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h122/blogtouch_picture_9bd55c68_0da5_181c_02e7_0577223220dd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-42599209029854457622019-05-08T23:34:00.005+03:002021-09-05T19:18:06.162+03:00Trekking Paramount: expectations vs reality<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd5SJL-goEk/YTTtscwBAKI/AAAAAAAAGVU/ycTWDT0akksR4BTPDhiuGGI7BmieTGDMwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Laguna%2BParon.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd5SJL-goEk/YTTtscwBAKI/AAAAAAAAGVU/ycTWDT0akksR4BTPDhiuGGI7BmieTGDMwCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Laguna%2BParon.png"/></a></div>
<div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Photos often don’t do justice to reality and this is especially true in many landscape photos - the biggest problem is that a photo cannot always convey the emotions and feelings of the moment. </span></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">This was the case when I went on a trip to the Parón Valley (<i>quebrada</i>) to get some more photos and see what the trek is about. I had seen photos of this area although many had been taken from the classic/normal trail - this day was going to be anything but normal!</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwTxHh0ndPY/YTTqHwttoaI/AAAAAAAAGU0/pS_2NUZQMWE1TKxYDSyhX4mKv3Dsg7VEACNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Nevados%2BParia%2Band%2BGarcilosa%2B-%2BLaguna%2BPar%25C3%25B3n%2B8631%2BArtesoncocha%2B%2528Huascaran%2BNational%2BPark%2529%2B%2528Ancash%252C%2BPer%25C3%25BA%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwTxHh0ndPY/YTTqHwttoaI/AAAAAAAAGU0/pS_2NUZQMWE1TKxYDSyhX4mKv3Dsg7VEACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Nevados%2BParia%2Band%2BGarcilosa%2B-%2BLaguna%2BPar%25C3%25B3n%2B8631%2BArtesoncocha%2B%2528Huascaran%2BNational%2BPark%2529%2B%2528Ancash%252C%2BPer%25C3%25BA%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevados Paria, Garcilaso and Laguna Parón (lake)</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Leaving Huaraz around 5am, there was still no sign of the sky but enough moonlight to show there was a reasonable amount of cloud around. Obviously everyone was hoping for at least partially open skies for good views but; we still had a 3 hour drive ahead of us.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">First stop was north of Huaraz at the local market in Caraz where we had a decent breakfast at one of the small restaurants. Everyone topped up with drinks, fruit and snacks for the day and we were off - off the tar road into the mountains. </span></div>
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<div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">Almost 2 hours later we were at the trek starting point (4,200m altitude) after ascending through some incredible Queñual (<i>Polylepis</i>) forest with astounding waterfall and an incredible amount of birdlife (this will be my next exploration here). </div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">The scenery was already spectacular with the massive valley below us and in front of us, Laguna Parón (Lake Parón) and the mountains Garcilaso and Paria. To our right were the peaks of Pisco and the Huandoy North and to the left, Caraz (the mountain), Aguja and the rock-climbing favourite Le Esfinges.</div>
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<span class="s1"><br /></span></div><div class="p3"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYrcOX7v3V0/YTTqefnKD4I/AAAAAAAAGU8/eWDxJNmeZqUQ8RZlJImkEmeGq4zsXFyMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Nevados%2BPisco%2Band%2BHuandoy%2BNorth%2B8640%2BArtesoncocha%2B%2528Huascaran%2BNational%2BPark%2529%2B%2528Ancash%252C%2BPer%25C3%25BA%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYrcOX7v3V0/YTTqefnKD4I/AAAAAAAAGU8/eWDxJNmeZqUQ8RZlJImkEmeGq4zsXFyMQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Nevados%2BPisco%2Band%2BHuandoy%2BNorth%2B8640%2BArtesoncocha%2B%2528Huascaran%2BNational%2BPark%2529%2B%2528Ancash%252C%2BPer%25C3%25BA%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping at one of the viewpoints.<br />Peaks of Pisco (<i>left</i>) and Huandoy North (<i>right</i>) behind the group.</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">Eventually heading off through the vegetation, we did a few photo stops as the trail became more rocky and small rocks becoming massive boulders. </div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">The views were just simply amazing while we headed off from where the trail ended, into the boulder ‘field’ - this was becoming a very interesting scramble with nerves and fears showing on many faces. All stuck to it though and gave it their best - the adrenaline was working well!</div><div class="p3"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hc6Hma-sPCM/YTTquCOMDiI/AAAAAAAAGVE/-a9vpyeNERsafspkycdER2rwp3YOnV1qQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Thin%2Bedge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="400" height="574" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hc6Hma-sPCM/YTTquCOMDiI/AAAAAAAAGVE/-a9vpyeNERsafspkycdER2rwp3YOnV1qQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h574/Thin%2Bedge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ridge trek to another viewpoint</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">Our final highpoint rewarded us with views that had everybody taking photos all the time - we were now at about 4,300m altitude. This was also a good time for everyone to get a rest between all the boulders while listening to rocks and glaciers moving, cracking and thundering - a “small” avalanche between the peaks of Pisco and Huandoy North reminded us of the instability of this area and the need to remain alert.</div>
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<div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">Time to descend! Now we had to negotiate the boulders back to our backpacks and then the steepish (it wasn’t vertical but certainly got the adrenalised attention of everyone!) final slope to the lakeshore. The slope descent was a mixture of small rocks that didn’t like remaining in position, eventually some vegetation and gritty soil. A few backsides met with the slope during the descent.</div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<span class="s1">This has just been an incredible day, much more than just an acclimatisation trek. For me this had been a great welcome back to my favourite office in the Cordillera Blanca and some excellent exercise. (<b>Remember to check out the VIDEO at the end of the post!</b>)</span></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Everyone else agreed that this off-piste day was unforgettable and a few commented how they had never thought they would be able to do something like this and might not have come if they’d known.</span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">New personal limits were discovered way outside of the personal comfort zones.</span></i></b></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S1KhDmqAEE/YTTrQK2uK0I/AAAAAAAAGVM/tJgawDQ3Gk0KvVoVoryVaQ7gVUiEJmWpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Descent%2Bscramble%2B8688%2BArtesoncocha%2B%2528Huascaran%2BNational%2BPark%2529%2B%2528Ancash%252C%2BPer%25C3%25BA%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S1KhDmqAEE/YTTrQK2uK0I/AAAAAAAAGVM/tJgawDQ3Gk0KvVoVoryVaQ7gVUiEJmWpwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Descent%2Bscramble%2B8688%2BArtesoncocha%2B%2528Huascaran%2BNational%2BPark%2529%2B%2528Ancash%252C%2BPer%25C3%25BA%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final descent through the boulders</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="p3" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="p3"><span class="s1">This trip was organised through and by <a href="http://www.akilpohuaraz.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Akilpo in Huaraz</b></span></a>.</span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" id="id_605b_7a71_486a_c014" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CIbiD1xnD_0" width="560"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0Huascarán National Park, Peru-9.2266855 -77.447012000000029-39.779464 -118.75560600000003 21.326093 -36.13841800000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-70519526998147868332019-04-29T01:07:00.003+03:002021-09-05T19:36:11.069+03:00Trekking into the Autumn Colours<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOIpkSgCQKk/YTTx7XMs3eI/AAAAAAAAGVc/XsRPsk-qwc8o_l0yS93jsoKSTqBr3zLVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Into%2BAutumn%2BColours.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOIpkSgCQKk/YTTx7XMs3eI/AAAAAAAAGVc/XsRPsk-qwc8o_l0yS93jsoKSTqBr3zLVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Into%2BAutumn%2BColours.png"/></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Up early for coffee and some cereal and a bit of a relax, I was gagging for my first proper trek again in almost two months. At 08:15 head off from the hostel up to the Ruta 3 and then east.</span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Just over tte Arroyo Grande, follow the road that goes up to the Arakur Hotel nd at the curve in the U-route, the start of the trail to the Cascada de Los Amigos and Cerro Cortez. Arriving at 09:33, it was 5.8km up to here. The trail goes left and around the hill before continuing along the river (Arroyo Grande). Big easy trail although various parts with a lot of mud after the last 2 weeks of rain.</span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo84qfmda0w/XMYJxYXP_RI/AAAAAAAAEr8/Fw1hM9XnO58f1v1BujOVy91v4UnkFZ8TwCPcBGAYYCw/s1126/IMG_5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1126" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo84qfmda0w/XMYJxYXP_RI/AAAAAAAAEr8/Fw1hM9XnO58f1v1BujOVy91v4UnkFZ8TwCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h480/IMG_5389.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Frost on the banks of the Arroyo Grande. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">The night had been cold and there's a lot of frost on the ground, so many of these parts are partially frozen making it a bit easier. The whole valley is still in the shade so nothing had started to melt yet, and that breeze, nice and fresh! The colours though! Unbelievable!</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">After 2km, I reach the junction in the trail where it splits to Cerro Cortez and to the waterfalls. The trail still good and open from here, and with yellow markers to show the way, still fairly easy and flat across an open grassy area. It soon brings me to the river crossing, a spot where there used to be an old beaver dam. The "bridge" is a collection of some big tree trunks but they're covered in a little layer of ice. This makes it all a bit more interesting as I have no intention of falling into the river early in the morning. With a combination of trekking poles and moving along on my backside, I get across without any incident i.e. dry.</span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvN6lLpv2Gs/XMYWIFi1NmI/AAAAAAAAEsI/5fKQix07gVk-PiabbwWinUFe2YyoYF_qgCPcBGAYYCw/s1280/IMG_5381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvN6lLpv2Gs/XMYWIFi1NmI/AAAAAAAAEsI/5fKQix07gVk-PiabbwWinUFe2YyoYF_qgCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h480/IMG_5381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty valley in the early morning shade. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Continuing along the other bank, there's much more water where I also pass some horses grazing very contented. Only a bit further, the trail goes into the forest and starts ascending from where there's also way more mud on the trail. The trail is also serving as a conduit for the rain and some streams further up in the mountain. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">After a solid ascent, it flattens out a bit before descending to just above the river.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">With a 90 degree turn in the trail, it also gets narrower and ascends into the forest along the little canyon where there's a stream from the waterfall. Then, into the canyon and ascending on alternating banks of the little stream of fresh albeit icy water.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FM7DUgyt2Y/XonV_fTKOwI/AAAAAAAAFCs/SuMcKFolg507V9-e4-jGHCikhpFW_D7gACPcBGAYYCw/s800/32789512217_b6aed79b8a_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FM7DUgyt2Y/XonV_fTKOwI/AAAAAAAAFCs/SuMcKFolg507V9-e4-jGHCikhpFW_D7gACPcBGAYYCw/w420-h640/32789512217_b6aed79b8a_c.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The skyline is suddenly filled with high cliffs, only cut by the waterfall with a 10m drop of water surrounded by the warm autumnal colours of the Fueguino forest. Mostly in the shade, the little canyon is quite cold but luckily I brought my camping stove and soon have a mug of hot tea in my hands. Also get down to getting the noodle soup going which gives me some more hot sustenance while I enjoy the hypnotising landscape around me.</span></div></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Just over an hour a half here before I start walking back around13:00. Obviously much quicker than the ascent, I spend more time taking photos with the sunlight now flooding the valley.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;">Reluctantly, I eventually leave the trail and follow the road back to the hostel, reflecting on a stunning day that started with pink clouds over the bay of Ushuaia and culminating in autumn coloured valleys basking in a mild sun before the will eventually take over completely.</span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWSCFCHjGu8/XoeEgKaBFUI/AAAAAAAAFBw/KntA5kSkokQuEDKm1oRGzgO1QcrhlTAAACPcBGAYYCw/s800/32789517207_db48a27a37_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWSCFCHjGu8/XoeEgKaBFUI/AAAAAAAAFBw/KntA5kSkokQuEDKm1oRGzgO1QcrhlTAAACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h480/32789517207_db48a27a37_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bosque Común valley with Cerro 5 Hermanos in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Trek Summary</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. City to trailhead: 5.8km</span></span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Trailhead to junction: 2.1km</span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-indent: -36px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> <span> </span>- </span>Junction to waterfall: 3.2km</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Waterfall to hostel: 11.1km</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Coordinates</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Trailhead: 54°46</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">′</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">26.5</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">″</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">S 68°15</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">′</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">37.5</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">″</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">W</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Trail X: 54°45</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">′</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">40.1</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">″</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">S 68°15</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">′</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">08.0</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">″</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">W</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Waterfall: 54°44</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">′</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">41.4</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">″</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">S 68°15</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">′</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">56.9</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica";">″</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">W</span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-31362785473250866012019-04-06T19:58:00.017+03:002021-09-05T19:44:45.338+03:00Face to Face with Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lld2HWn6-hI/YTTz5jb_ZoI/AAAAAAAAGVs/aL3dCWi_h40Zzkydwt9i_eInVhlS77eCgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/face%2B2%2Bface%2Bwith%2Bfear.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lld2HWn6-hI/YTTz5jb_ZoI/AAAAAAAAGVs/aL3dCWi_h40Zzkydwt9i_eInVhlS77eCgCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/face%2B2%2Bface%2Bwith%2Bfear.png"/></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Every move I was acutely aware that one slip would be the last one. There was no ledge I might get stuck on or large plant/tree I could grab on the way down...</blockquote>
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<div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">29 January, 2019 and the day after leaving the comfort of the Rancho at Puerto Español and the welcome company of Sergio Anselmino. The previous night I had camped next to the hut at Rio Sopresa and today continuing eastwards along the coast of Bahia Aguirre, one of the biggest bays of Peninsula Mitre in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">"Ascending a ridge coastline with some cliffs, i had got myself onto a section where it became almost vertical. Vertical with rocks that were crumbling in my hands, a fine gravel that refused to give any foothold and some small shrubs, a few of which were thankfully well anchored. On my back was a 35kg+ backpack, newly stocked up the two nights before in Puerto Español, and my two trekking poles (which i was using as anchors where i could!). I was not even remotely equipped for this - from the bottom the ascent had seemed stable and nothing more steep than 45 degrees in one spot. By the time I realised how this was turning out, going back was not an option, especially with the backpack seemingly trying to pull me off the cliff all the time. I had to find some way up unless some descent route miraculously revealed itself."</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-baFA14fO0o4/YTJHMAi5e9I/AAAAAAAAGPI/XBj-hEo9scAsOBxyFas985IzW_edzPDMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0752.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-baFA14fO0o4/YTJHMAi5e9I/AAAAAAAAGPI/XBj-hEo9scAsOBxyFas985IzW_edzPDMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0752.png" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view down the cliff...Yes! I even took a photo!</td></tr></tbody></table></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">"Every move I was acutely aware that one slip would be the last one. There was no ledge I might get stuck on or large plant/tree I could grab on the way down - the bushes there were would certainly not withstand that combination of weight and momentum! The real fear, the panic, was just below the surface and i was very much aware of it - i was actively “distracting” myself by concentrating on finding a way up and checking every hand hold, every foothold…attempting to make only sensible decisions."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Facing your fears adds another challenge to the already considerable list of mental challenges during an extreme physical and solo expedition. This is where you're forced to get further out of your comfort zone and do something which literally scares you - gets the heart racing, hands starting to sweat - mind running in a thousand directions as you look at what lies ahead. So how to deal with this because, as is well known, fear can be debilitating. The need to harness this in order to achieve what has to be done, and overcome it, is imperative. Simply suppressing it doesn't serve any purpose and in fact, the suppression might not be overly successful either. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Adrenaline/extreme activities function as such because of a level of fear in us humans. Sure, call it being nervous but it all boils down to the fear that triggers the release of the adrenaline that will put the mind into super alert mode and the body into a higher level of physical functioning. This becomes addictive as athletes push for the bigger adrenaline rush through more extreme activities.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LDCd7x9iq0/YTJP6LJg79I/AAAAAAAAGPY/91H7XsAvwbsdOoq60FqoGqaIJ-t8x4qygCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0759.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LDCd7x9iq0/YTJP6LJg79I/AAAAAAAAGPY/91H7XsAvwbsdOoq60FqoGqaIJ-t8x4qygCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0759.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><div style="text-align: center;">The views I got to enjoy a couple of hours later. </div></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Why am I telling you this? Simple, because it shows the harnessing of the fear to drive decisions and actions that have a higher chance of success. This means, example again, a skydiver does his pre-jump equipment check really thoroughly, revising mentally the emergency procedures in the case there being an equipment malfunction. Conditioning the mind results in this eventually being a ‘normal activity about which the person feels a bit nervous but positively looks forward to it…the adrenaline release also gets less as one gets more accustomed to it (remember it started with being at least a little bit scared the first time)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">"I reached what seemed distinctly to me like a “junction” where I could continue the line (if you could call it that!) I was following or, go about three metres to the left and try go sort of around a rock pinnacle where it seemed there more stable bushes and footholds. The problem was that moving across those 3m, i would need to lunge and grab onto a largish bush - the type of bush that proved to mostly be pretty stable holds. This had to be done in such a way that the backpack didn't follow gravity…down! It was pretty heavy as it had just been refilled with provisions at Puerto Español, in other words a minimum of 35kg! (Just writing this has got my hands sweaty and my heart beating fast!!)"</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">"The first moves to the left i aimed at 2-3 times before finally just going for it, wondering briefly (…and unbelievably calm!!!) if someone flying over in a helicopter or plane would eventually see the body on the beach if I missed that grab. What bollocks!! Luckily it seemed to not be something stuck in my head although i do remember thinking it. Anyway, the lunge and grab worked and I stopped for a short breather."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">It's important to mention too that telling yourself “I can’t!” or “I’m really scared!” is a big no-no! This is totally counterproductive and must be avoided, at least suppress those thoughts (for the moment) and constructively think of how you’re going to overcome this hurdle which will also serve to distract you some from those negative thoughts. The adrenaline that will already be pumping will be making your mind more alert, sharper and help you. This is where harnessing what's happening both physically and mentally (via the adrenaline) is so important; you have just been gifted with a massive resource! No, it isn't that easy and it means taking a conscious decision - “I just have to do this, the only way that I can get out of this situation is by getting over this obstacle!”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Adrenaline really pumping now, I continued albeit slowly, very slowly and ascended up what happened to be the last 10m with the final 5m about 45 degrees - to me virtually horizontal at that moment! The GPS showed an ascent of just over 60m at the brief stop I did at the top - it was only about an half an hour later that i actually forced myself to stop and take my backpack off! Then I realised that my heart was still beating like crazy and the adrenaline still pumping! Later that night, images from the ascent would haunt me and keep me awake. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Not only had I been completely out of my comfort zone, I had experienced a brief moment of fear which I’m not sure I’ve ever felt both mentally and physically simultaneously. This was not even a case of just being really nervous, this was on another level!</span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">Conquering that fear, overcoming that hurdle...a very important step in becoming mentally and emotionally stronger. Don't allow it to haunt to you - remember, next time it's not something that's outside your comfort zone anymore...you're old acquaintances now.</blockquote><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; outline: 0px; text-align: left; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;"><strike>right-sidebar</strike></b> </p>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-87749135030858134212019-03-30T22:02:00.007+03:002021-09-05T20:57:50.319+03:00Gearing up for Extreme Trekking - Peninsula Mitre<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f_goAIww4Qk/YTT_3yjm-rI/AAAAAAAAGWE/jzuhZog8Fb87FOJGeFZ6mKR8OEOVfHgwACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Gearing%2Bup%2B4%2Bextreme%2Btrekking.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f_goAIww4Qk/YTT_3yjm-rI/AAAAAAAAGWE/jzuhZog8Fb87FOJGeFZ6mKR8OEOVfHgwACNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Gearing%2Bup%2B4%2Bextreme%2Btrekking.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: medium;">This discussion on equipment/gear mainly pertains to trekking Peninsula Mitre and my personal experience there but can be adapted to other long treks as well.</span></blockquote>
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<div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: futura; text-align: justify;">Obviously everyone has their preferred brands and/or equipment specifications so what you have may already be fine. These are my personal recommendations and although not intended to be a definitive list set in rock, I’ve tried to make it as comprehensive as possible. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">It's also worth mentioning that I did not set out from the word go to do the whole distance around the tip of Tierra del Fuego. I decided to continue once I got to Rancho Ibarra (29km from Moat) based on discussions with someone who did the whole route the year before. My final decision was further subject to advice and recommendations from Sergio Anselmino. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">This means that in some cases I did not have the best equipment for the distance and conditions but through my own outdoor and trekking experience, and the support of the individuals like Sergio I met, I was able to adapt and complete the trek. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">=>> Important</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">*The Peninsula Mitre trek is recommended only for the experienced trekker. Not only are the mental and physical challenges huge but skills in route and trail finding, orientation with map & compass, camping in remote and challenging conditions and sometimes even basic tracking are required. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">**I have not been paid or sponsored by any brands I may have mentioned in this article. In fact, in many cases other brands may have something similar and/or better. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Equipment List for Peninsula Mitre</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Navigation</span> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">GPS</span> </span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
I use a Garmin GPSMap 64s with maps uploaded from the OSM website. These maps are basic so I don't have topographic info or digital imagery. This can of course be purchased from various apps and providers online. Average battery life of 16 hours (2x normal AA batteries). Remember to keep the gps a bit insulated against cold otherwise those batteries will be gone in a couple of hours in the cold. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mobile phone</span> </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> Personally I avoided using the cell phone as far as possible due to there then being additional batteries to charge. If you have good solar panels and a big powerbank (heavy!), it might be fine as there are a host of mapping and navigation apps. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Compass</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(brújula)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
You cannot go without this because if technology fails you, a map and compass navigation is all you have then. Make sure you know how to orientate yourself with a map and calculate magnetic declination relative to the map you're using. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOifpVD0m9o/YTUBGcrndRI/AAAAAAAAGWM/5asDZsZwvYcgGh9RObDjGmJx6GFvwrXwACPcBGAYYCw/s1280/blogtouch_picture_2bed260e_4edd_39f7_a408_2b0111e8942c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOifpVD0m9o/YTUBGcrndRI/AAAAAAAAGWM/5asDZsZwvYcgGh9RObDjGmJx6GFvwrXwACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h480/blogtouch_picture_2bed260e_4edd_39f7_a408_2b0111e8942c.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maps</span> </span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; background-color: white;"><br />
I had the Pixmap (<a href="http://www.pixmap.org/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;">www.pixmap.org</span></a>) 1:200 000 map of Canal Beagle (Onashaga) Peninsula Mitre. It served me well although obviously not as ideal as a 1:<a dir="ltr" href="tel:25/50%20000" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors="true">25/50 000</a> topo map. “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">Conocer Ushuaia</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; background-color: white;">” website has some topographic maps of most of Tierra del Fuego (<a href="http://www.conocerushuaia.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent;">www.conocerushuaia.com</span></a>). For custom sizes search online for the Cartography department of the Tierra del Fuego province</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Electronics & Communication</span> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Batteries for gps</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(pilas)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
NiMh recommended but apparently the Lithium ones are even better. Rechargeable ones fine if you have a good solar panel to charge them with.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Solar panel/s </span></span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(paneles solares)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Lightweight is the key here but also effective. If with various (2 at least) usb slots, even better. Then also those that consist of 2 or more panels in a 'folder' making it all the more flexible.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Satellite Communication</span></span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> Having some form of satellite communication device is certainly recommended. There are a variety on the market and probably as many pricing plans for satellite use. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> My personal recommendation in this regard is one of the Garmin InReach gps products which offer an interactive sms-type messaging in case of an emergency whilst the location updates to a shareable online link. A bonus is being able to connect to a smartphone to use the larger screen and post updates with photos to social media. Remember that access to satellite communication requires an additional subscription cost either monthly or annually. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clothing</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(ropa)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boots</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(botas)</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Over-ankle and waterproof. Ankle support really important and with so much wet areas - turba, streams, mud and wet forest, waterproof (Goretex) makes a massive difference!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2IL_c9yXXE/YTUBjQCYREI/AAAAAAAAGWU/pPf0xxPYugkiCGKIYlF78hJttVSRs9idwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_0d75109b_0e6b_8a32_f917_7d7f75d9c73a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2IL_c9yXXE/YTUBjQCYREI/AAAAAAAAGWU/pPf0xxPYugkiCGKIYlF78hJttVSRs9idwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_0d75109b_0e6b_8a32_f917_7d7f75d9c73a.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gaiters</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(polainas)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Also with the boots for bushes but also for mud and wetlands, especially when everything is wet after the rain as well.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wool socks </span></span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(medias de lana)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Wool insulates even when wet, so in these latitudes and conditions there's no other choice really.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over-Trousers</span></span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> (thick) </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(sobre pantalones)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Waterproof, insulating and tough. This pretty much covers all it needs to do at any given time, many times at the same time. Cannot over-stress the importance of this.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75kCY5yta00/YTUByuFVFWI/AAAAAAAAGWY/WbmH6bktZyU-vBvrEj2vSK5B3vLLH8KwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1067/blogtouch_picture_3562110d_c3cd_8e91_1cd1_1e98485ed7b5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1067" height="518" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75kCY5yta00/YTUByuFVFWI/AAAAAAAAGWY/WbmH6bktZyU-vBvrEj2vSK5B3vLLH8KwgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h518/blogtouch_picture_3562110d_c3cd_8e91_1cd1_1e98485ed7b5.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #444444; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: Miguel Pira)</span></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Waterproof trousers</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(pantalones impermeables)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
(Zips open completely on both sides) Used this when it's absolutely pouring down with rain in addition to being in wet areas - can quickly put on over the 'over' trousers and minimises the risk, sometimes even negates it, of getting wet right through on the legs and butt.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">River crossings</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(cruzando rios)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Lightweight trainers were perfect even though at a few short crossings I went barefoot. Would say anything with a decent rubber sole for rocky rivers - something that won't slip off accidentally either.</span></div>
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A small towel somewhere handy to dry your feet/legs on the other side. Also helps with the warmth factor when putting dry dry feet back into the socks and boots - even when the socks are damp from sweat or whatever. Good feeling feet!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Beanie</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(goro)</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The winds can be freezing, even in the short breaks during the trek, and the jacket's hood won't keep your head and ears warm. Keep handy somewhere and preferably somewhere dry for when you need it.</span></div>
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In conjunction with the bandana (#10), always take 2 in case one is wet and/or one is lost. This served me well when I somehow lost my one beanie in Puerto Español.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bandana</span></span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
For sun, dust and some warmth plus sometimes as a little towel. In conjunction with the beanie (9), always take 2 in case one is wet and/or one is lost.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gloves</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(guantes)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Insulating and waterproof for trekking. Kept a pair handy in my trouser pockets all the time. In my pack, a light pair of fleece gloves.<br />
Once again, an additional pair of thick waterproof gloves.</span></div>
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Ideally I would like to have a lighter but well insulating pair for when pitching or taking down the tent in cold conditions.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Underwear/Base layers</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(primeras capas de ropa)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Thermal type long sleeve shirt as well as a short sleeve version. The latter serves well on the warmer days as the body warms up quickly with the level of activity.</span></div>
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Then 2 pairs 'normal' underwear trunks although I'd prefer to have the same options available for my legs as my arms i.e. short and longs.</span></div>
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A lycra pair served well for the potentially deeper river crossings as it also dries very quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Waterproof jacket</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(campera impermeable)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Tough and obviously waterproof. This jacket will very likely also take the brunt of the hammering when going through bushes, including thorny ones.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Polar fleece jacket</span></span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> (light) </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(campera polar)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
For in the tent and is also my pillow; excellent after taking off a bunch of wet clothing.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Down jacket</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(campera de pluma)</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This would be ideal and lighter than the fleece jacket, and my preferred choice but up to now don't have one.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2nd & 3rd Layers</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(segunda & tercera capas)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span> </span><span> - </span>Shirts: 2-3 different ones that insulate well in layer and other that serves well on its own.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span> </span><span> - </span>Trousers: at the moment only a lightweight trekking trousers but works well with the other layers I have at the moment.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span> </span><span> - </span>Jacket-type: thin and light but works well as an in-between layer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">R</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">epairs & Maintenance</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Needles & thread</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(agujas y hilo)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Very important especially with long duration expeditions as need to do repairs to tent, backpack and possibly even boots.<br />
So have thick needles for the 'big' repairs and then smaller for clothing as well. Different threads as required obviously.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Zip ties & duct tape</span> </span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">(repairs) </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(cinta etc para reparaciones)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Doing repairs whilst on expedition in some or other form is almost guaranteed, sometimes due to due damage in the dense forest or rocks or just simply wear and tear. Having zip ties, duct tape and string/thin line is a must have!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Camping & Trekking</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Backpack</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(mochila)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
This is an item that just has to be selected personally by each person as it relates to your height and ability to adjust to your body. What I can say in this regard is that for an expedition like Peninsula Mitre, a minimum 80 litre backpack is required due to the amount of provisions you have to carry. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> The taller/larger guys (I’m not one of them!) even have 105litre packs. Having a large pack means you can distribute the lightweight and heavier items more evenly as one should. Also, smaller packs are not made for these kind of weights that we’re talking about here i.e. average 30-35kg in my case. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trekking poles</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(bastones)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
This turned out to be my most important and most valuable gear on the trek. No trails means that many times you need to be able to test or check where your next step will be plus then support in ascents and descents and also when crossing rivers. An absolute “Must have”!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Carabiners</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(mosquetones) </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">& Rope </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(cuerda)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Needing to attach something quickly to your backpack? Carabiners are always handy! Add to that a length of around 5m of rope (5-7mm) and you can then also lower your backpack down sections and follow safely behind. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tent</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(carpa)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Although an obvious piece of equipment, the selection of a tent correct for the potential conditions doesn't always get the attention it deserves. This is your shelter and your home out there, it's super important. It needs to be really waterproof and able to withstand strong winds. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> A 4-seasons tent is a necessity out in Peninsula Mitre. During the expedition I encountered all imaginable types of weather not least of all the infamous crazy winds of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Groundsheet</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(tela para protección del piso de la carpa, mayormente un plástico grueso)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Having a groundsheet makes a huge difference on selecting locations to pitch the tent with this extra layer of protection (and insulation!) between the tent floor and the ground. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> **<b><i>Remember</i></b> to fold in sections that are protruding out from under the tent otherwise it catches up the rain water and creates a pool of water between the plastic sheet and the tent floor, water that will soak through after only a short time. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBcmqfwPXlo/YTUCouQDpDI/AAAAAAAAGWw/8hnAw_Vol6426clYSjJGvVcDqmQywxfFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_fb5ef800_0e02_81e2_56b2_e12f9972fb79.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBcmqfwPXlo/YTUCouQDpDI/AAAAAAAAGWw/8hnAw_Vol6426clYSjJGvVcDqmQywxfFQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_fb5ef800_0e02_81e2_56b2_e12f9972fb79.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sleeping bag</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(bolsa de dormir)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Probably one of the most important items on your trek! They come in a variety of levels of warmth/insulation plus the options of down or synthetic filling. All have price implications and weight, so make sure that you understand well the different options. My bag had a comfort level to -5 degrees Celsius to -25 degrees extreme level. The kind of sleeping bag inner makes a difference and then whether you are in a well insulated tent or not. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> A great plus is if it gets wet on the outside, through condensation or rain leaking into the tent for example, it's still dry on the inside. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sleeping bag inner</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(saco sábana para bolsa de dormir)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
To me, almost as important as the sleeping bag itself. This limits and can prevent sweating against the sleeping bag fabric; a problem in freezing temperatures as the inside getting frozen is a massive problem. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> Once again different types ranging from cotton sheet-type to super light silk to a much warmer polar fleece. I’ve been using the cotton sheet-type and even up to having ice on the outside of my sleeping bag, I was inside without a shirt or long trousers. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lightweight Fishing rod</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(caña de pesca)</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
This will not only give you the opportunity to add some much needed protein and variety to your meals, but also some relaxing moments in some of Peninsula Mitre’s most beautiful places. Not an expert on fishing myself I cannot recommend specific spoons, flies or hooks but the local fishing shops (and local fishermen) will happily share their knowledge before you head off. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1st Aid/Medical Kit</span> </span><span face="Futura-MediumItalic" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-style: italic;">(Primeros auxilios)(botiquin)</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Another important addition to the equipment although I also need to remind you of the golden rule; ensure that you know very well how and when to use every item in your 1st aid kit.</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> Doing at least a basic level course goes a long way to learning/refreshing essential skills. There are courses for wilderness first aid/medics which are even better and are more likely to cover scenarios that you may find yourself in in a remote place like Peninsula Mitre.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;"><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKUvKxyF9kg/YTUC-pRobpI/AAAAAAAAGW8/PIJyC0AfolYPHeC_k2HumA0JVBhftoIVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1579/blogtouch_picture_488befbb_94fb_2740_b45e_b4454a857a78.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1579" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKUvKxyF9kg/YTUC-pRobpI/AAAAAAAAGW8/PIJyC0AfolYPHeC_k2HumA0JVBhftoIVgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_488befbb_94fb_2740_b45e_b4454a857a78.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36px;">Here's a <b>list of medication/medical supplies</b> that I take with that also packs down small (please add your own personal medication/s). Of course this is subject to the kind of trek you’re heading out on and how many people are in your group. </div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Stretch bandages x2</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Pressure bandage/ Wound dressing</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Plasters (various sizes)</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Butterfly strips</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Gauze squares</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Alcohol swabs</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Cottonwool</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Medical alcohol</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Hydrogen peroxide </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Merthiolate</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">*Iodine solution </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Muscle strain/sprain cream</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">**Epipen</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Pain tablets </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Antihistamine tablets</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Antibiotics </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Eye drops</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Sterile drops (eyes)</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Asthma inhaler</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Thermometer </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Tweezers</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Scissors (small)</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Resuscitation mouthpiece with mask</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Disposable latex gloves</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Syringe x2</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Needles x2</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Safety pins (various sizes)</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Stitches (thread &needle)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">NOTE:</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> I use <b><i>zip lock type bags </i></b>for all my clothing that's in my backpack as well as the electronics and first aid items. If necessary, a smaller one inside a thicker large one. Sleeping bag is inside 2 bags with a thicker large rubbish bag over. Light </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;"><i>dry bags</i></span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> are obviously the best if you have access to them. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I welcome any other recommendations and your thoughts in the comments, so please let me know what you think. </span></div>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyIu8EUmcUs/YTUDlsMD0XI/AAAAAAAAGXE/0Wa20dXi39gKq4E3L0vMifrO_EnfnKqSACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blogtouch_picture_e37888c4_0512_23a3_f675_2cf73731b51b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyIu8EUmcUs/YTUDlsMD0XI/AAAAAAAAGXE/0Wa20dXi39gKq4E3L0vMifrO_EnfnKqSACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/blogtouch_picture_e37888c4_0512_23a3_f675_2cf73731b51b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-30772015119973362352019-03-11T15:33:00.016+03:002021-09-05T22:22:27.713+03:00Where Wild Horses Fly with the Wind<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOwIj6wEbAY/YTUYfCNS2xI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/cpam8XUa7gguXrYtGwCspgo7__a-zxbxQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Where%2Bwild%2Bhorses.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOwIj6wEbAY/YTUYfCNS2xI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/cpam8XUa7gguXrYtGwCspgo7__a-zxbxQCPcBGAYYCw/s600/Where%2Bwild%2Bhorses.png"/></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trekking Peninsula Mitre, an area considered one of the most isolated and inhospitable places in Argentina.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt;">Located at the extreme southeastern tip of Tierra del Fuego, it's surrounded by an air of mystery, tales of explorers, shipwrecks, a quest for gold and lone gauchos who roam the land, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt;">where fiery wild horses run with the wind, seemingly flying over the pampas.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZWFUvrmSPk/YTJj8kvL7sI/AAAAAAAAGPw/4upXSAnjh5keeTabajYXMB1WW6ovctyUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0674.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZWFUvrmSPk/YTJj8kvL7sI/AAAAAAAAGPw/4upXSAnjh5keeTabajYXMB1WW6ovctyUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0674.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt;">Where the wind mercilessly forces trees to grow almost horizontally, smashing south Atlantic waves against imposing cliffs and penguins outnumber humans. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">Attracting adventurers and dreamers for centuries, Peninsula Mitre got its nails into me and i couldn't stay away, even less so just go in for a few days. “Go in” - “Enter” - “Exit” are the words used to describe a trip to this incredible place, words that one would expect to hear when speaking about some sanctuary, a place where there's an entry fee for the privilege to see what the place offers. </span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is always a price but we never know what the cost may be…am I willing to accept the potential cost?</span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvcwhnZtA3M/YTJkXJLLE1I/AAAAAAAAGP4/6cuf0msjFh4I_XEdQj4aNVnZLNKAr30qACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-1075.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvcwhnZtA3M/YTJkXJLLE1I/AAAAAAAAGP4/6cuf0msjFh4I_XEdQj4aNVnZLNKAr30qACNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-1075.png" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Duchess of Albany</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt; text-align: justify;">Finding information about trekking Peninsula Mitre is limited to a small number of books and then the decades and centuries of history. The books are limited in the context that they just relate the experience of the trekkers as does the more well-known documentary “</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">Gauchos del Mar</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt; text-align: justify;">” which follows the traverse of surfers around Peninsula Mitre in their search for wild waves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt; text-align: justify;">The minimum period would be around 30 days. In addition, there's no public “list” of people (and their contact details) who have done the full traverse and with whom one could speak about the requirements for a trek that would be at least 400km if not starting from Ushuaia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt; text-align: justify;">Online the information is equally limited to that on some fauna and flora and then references to the books and documentary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">(<i>Read about my equipment at </i><b><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2019/03/gearing-up-for-extreme-trekking_30.html?m=1" id="id_f5e0_4ae2_f559_1b2e" target="_blank">Gearing up for Extreme Trekking</a></b>)</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GBvUDOQv8w/YTJlZFyt-pI/AAAAAAAAGQA/5g8pGGfc7B8jGZ-cEQTyUdQU2h34JpwrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0558.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GBvUDOQv8w/YTJlZFyt-pI/AAAAAAAAGQA/5g8pGGfc7B8jGZ-cEQTyUdQU2h34JpwrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0558.png" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaucho "Paisa" arriving in Bahia Sloggett</td></tr></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13pt;">At this stage you're probably already wondering why I would want to go and spend at least a month in such an inhospitable place without having much prior knowledge about it. Well, to those who know me, this is exactly the attraction for me; a place where very few venture and is filled with potential challenges, not the least being that there are no trails. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">I was at least going to explore a little bit that's east of the Beagle Channel…after I’ve trekked that coast as well from Ushuaia. There was a hunger in me to get to know this whole area unlike I’ve had to date in other places. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">Trekking the 95km from Ushuaia to Moat at the end of the Beagle Channel increased this hunger to know more and see wilderness landscapes that few have had the privilege to lay eyes on. With food supplies for only another two days, i returned to Ushuaia to top up provisions so i could do at least another 15 days - about 7 days and the same out again. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">So on 13 January i headed back with Ruben, a guy who did the full traverse a year ago and this time was only going to Bahia Sloggett. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">The backpack was average 30-35kg meaning the trekking was going to be a daily challenge, whether there's good terrain or not. The weather kept us indoors at Rancho Ibarra and the long chats about Peninsula Mitre continued to the point that on the first night I was already considering the feasibility of a full traverse - alone! He emphasised i needed to speak to Sergio Anselmino first who was at that stage at the racho in Puerto Español, Bahía Aguirre (this was initially going to be my turnaround point for the 15 days exploring but in Bahia Sloggett i was already at 7 days from Moat!) </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">Sergio is an expert on Peninsula Mitre having done the full traverse at least 4 times, including with the guys of “</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic;">Gauchos del Mar</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">”. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">It took another four and a half days to get to Puerto Español but I was now in Peninsula Mitre proper, having “entered” when crossing the Rio Lopez at Bahía Sloggett. I spent 5 days with Sergio listening to his accounts of the traverses he did and advice and recommendations on routes etc. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">This is a man that's passionate about nature and his photography and all expressed through his love of Peninsula Mitre. From here, starts the most difficult section of the traverse, a minimum of 6 days with good weather and luck in finding routes, to Buen Suceso where there's a small detachment of the Argentinian Navy. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8fSqrxBKL0/YTJoic2cR7I/AAAAAAAAGQU/W9vDH0dMs48QaPc9EHYGspotEsJgLv4MACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0719.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8fSqrxBKL0/YTJoic2cR7I/AAAAAAAAGQU/W9vDH0dMs48QaPc9EHYGspotEsJgLv4MACNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0719.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Difficult” turned out to be an understatement of epic proportions!</span></blockquote>
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</div><div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15.5px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13pt;">I’ve been travelling alone for about 18 years now and not a stranger to being alone in challenging conditions (see the section about my West African expedition) but this not only challenged me physically in every sense but also mentally. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13pt;">Each pace was intense, not daring to let your thoughts wander, even less so daring not looking where you put your foot next. Due to weather pinning me down at various places, this section also took me 10 days during which i had both, separately, my mentally hardest day and the hardest day physically of the whole traverse. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRc47-tCtRY/YTJpRklXkyI/AAAAAAAAGQc/Y6lcAzQUmTAIGhiaz-2xZ1wvNyv1R0rOACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-1114.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRc47-tCtRY/YTJpRklXkyI/AAAAAAAAGQc/Y6lcAzQUmTAIGhiaz-2xZ1wvNyv1R0rOACNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Wild%2Bhorses%2Bfly-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-1114.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13pt;">With my mind and body now more accustomed to the difficulty of daily trekking without trails through every imaginable terrain, I headed off from Buen Suceso to the tip at Cabo San Diego and the northeast coast. This was considerably “easier” terrain, obviously relative to the section I had just completed. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13pt;">But, Peninsula Mitre wasn't finished with me, she still had some big rivers and extreme weather to share with me. On 2 March 2019 I crossed the Rio Irigoyen, the northeastern “exit/entry” and walked out the gates of the Estancia Maria Luisa, considered the end of the traverse. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 13pt;">The next day was still another 12km rain trekking, albeit on a dirt road and hitchhiking, I arrived in Ushuaia the night of 3 March 2019.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">Sleeping on the first night was virtually impossible with my mind still reeling with memories of a 60-day 460km traverse. It hadn't yet sunk in what I’d achieved but over the next couple of days with congratulations coming in and people shaking my hand, it's sort of more real now. What now you ask? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;">Heck, my eyes are already scanning the maps of Tierra del Fuego but keep flitting back to Peninsula Mitre, that wild land that literally absorbed me and is now in my bloodstream like an incurable virus, admittedly not a bad one. I will be going back, exploring more and different parts, letting Mitre push me even more whilst sitting in the evening around a traditional barbecue with </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic;">gaucho</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;"> listening to tales and stories of the a place they call “The Forgotten Land”. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 13pt;"><b>N</b></span><b style="font-size: 13pt;">ote:</b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> I will be publishing more in-depth articles on different sections and my experiences in the following days and weeks. </span></div>
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Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-72037225751361989002019-03-08T17:16:00.004+03:002021-09-05T22:41:25.995+03:00Foodstuffs and Provisions in Peninsula Mitre<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsxjORGVBII/YTUauhdz0RI/AAAAAAAAGXU/sTsJWMGV1WsmT7EHWoAgADRqvWm1CrrYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Foodstuffs%2BPen%2BMitre.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsxjORGVBII/YTUauhdz0RI/AAAAAAAAGXU/sTsJWMGV1WsmT7EHWoAgADRqvWm1CrrYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Foodstuffs%2BPen%2BMitre.png" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">(</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">These recommendations are based on my personal trekking experience over years and then more specifically as it related to me trekking solo around the Peninsula Mitre during my trek from Ushuaia to Estancia Maria Luisa in January to March 2019</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic;">)</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">When going on a major trek like the full traverse of Peninsula Mitre in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), the question immediately arises of what food will you take, how much and for how many days and then even more importantly; how will you carry it all. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I carried food for a period of 10-15 days in the sense that I could have a decent meal for at least 10 days with then additional lightweight rations like soups and instant “meals” for another 5 days. This is important especially in Peninsula Mitre where you are going into a 5-day section for example; on Day 2 the weather pins you down for two days and then on Day 4 again, forcing you to stay three nights. That's 4-5 days extra already! Stops like this may happen for various reasons like needing a rest after an injury or having to make a huge detour. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This does of course mean a heavy backpack but I think the backpack will be heavy no matter what. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Additional supply options</span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Along the route:</i></b></span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> you will encounter refugios/ranchos where you can restock food supplies and/or eat with a </span><span style="font-style: italic;">gaucho</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> or </span><span style="font-style: italic;">puestero </span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">(many times an asado - traditional barbeque). The following sites were good in this regard:</span></div>
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<li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Futura-Medium"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Rancho Ibarra and Rancho Julian (Bahía Sloggett) with Luis “Paisa” Andrade.</span></li></ul><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: futura; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNssKPbQ1wk/YTUbyCvXYQI/AAAAAAAAGXc/Q26dzaKswRYhzpwiDtQf4AXMxKYIDrmogCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNssKPbQ1wk/YTUbyCvXYQI/AAAAAAAAGXc/Q26dzaKswRYhzpwiDtQf4AXMxKYIDrmogCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span><ul>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Futura-Medium"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Puerto Español (Bahía Aguirre) where I met Sergio Anselmino, an expert on expeditions in Peninsula Mitre and passionate about nature and his photography.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fM2eLRXEd4Y/YTUb7Cfpk-I/AAAAAAAAGXg/XgkoQe9fppYlcQXmOQqV0hdPvjP8ocE_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1525/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1525" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fM2eLRXEd4Y/YTUb7Cfpk-I/AAAAAAAAGXg/XgkoQe9fppYlcQXmOQqV0hdPvjP8ocE_wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; font-size: 14px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"></span><ul><li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bahía Valentin might have some supplies but don't count on it.</span></li></ul><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: futura; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFpbrSy8uKg/YTUcGAJuCDI/AAAAAAAAGXo/p3m4xD4sDs4ExJlLqz4cNXWJpS739lP4ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFpbrSy8uKg/YTUcGAJuCDI/AAAAAAAAGXo/p3m4xD4sDs4ExJlLqz4cNXWJpS739lP4ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: futura;"><br /></span><ul><li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Futura-Medium"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Buen Suceso with the Argentinian Navy detachment. </span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Futura-Medium"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Bahia Thetis on the northeast coast.</span></li></ul><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: futura; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxN7d9SNlPU/YTUcXRqP61I/AAAAAAAAGX0/qUMKPNyhorkZNJquUPTe6QYzIvoBmJFJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1576/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1576" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxN7d9SNlPU/YTUcXRqP61I/AAAAAAAAGX0/qUMKPNyhorkZNJquUPTe6QYzIvoBmJFJQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: futura; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: futura; text-align: justify;">Estancia Policarpo that’s 1-2 days trek from Thetis.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: futura; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></li></ul><span style="color: #333333; font-family: futura;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYaRFOQKnqo/YTUcl8wIoRI/AAAAAAAAGX4/so4JxZ8iJbQDmVneEyt-ePvroSyS21lvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYaRFOQKnqo/YTUcl8wIoRI/AAAAAAAAGX4/so4JxZ8iJbQDmVneEyt-ePvroSyS21lvQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><ul style="text-align: left;">
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">From here another resupply would not be necessary although you would stop at La Chaira post as well. </span></div>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Before the trek</i></b>:</span></div>
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<li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Futura-Medium"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Send a container with supplies to Bahia Sloggett and/or Puerto Español with Luis “Paisa” Andrade from the Naval Prefectura in Moat. </span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Futura-Medium"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Send supplies with a yacht from the Ushuaia Yacht Club to Puerto Español. This depends completely on whether someone is sailing to Puerto Español plus whether they will take something extra with them. </span></li>
<li style="color: #333333; font-family: futura; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Futura-Medium"></span><span style="background-color: white;">With the Argentinian Navy that sails every 45 days to Buen Suceso to change the relief at the Naval post.</span></li>
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<span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Below I’ve detailed my thoughts and experiences on specific food items and mixes. The list is obviously subject also to the tastes and requirements of each trekker as well as whether they are trekking alone or with other people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">Remember!! There is no reason to not be eating at least one delicious meal everyday. Not only is it for energy, but also does a lot for the morale when enjoying a tasty meal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">**NB:</span><span face="Futura-Medium" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 18pt;"> ziplock type bags super important in various sizes. Can also be used for clothing items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chocolate cereal mix</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
(Sergio Anselmino) - Nesquik/drinking choc, pats, raisins, sesame seeds, cornflakes = or like muesli/cereal mix. Just add water hot or cold. Can also be eaten as is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sweets</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Any small sweets or caramelos as they're called, to suck on during the day at stops or when in the tent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Energy gel packets</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
These are the gel packets with concentrated energy "drink" with caffeine etc. Helps on long days - not only for energy but to keep the mind alert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Instant" oats</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
To add to food that makes it nice and creamy - any dish. (Oats used is some 'whole' type of instant oats, might work with 'normal' oats)</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Soups & arroz listo</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
The Knorr soups are phenomenal although Maggi is not bad either. The former is the brand generally available in Argentina.<br />
Two kinds; the normal variety of soups and then the range of creamy soups.<br />
The “arroz listo” (ready with meat pieces/vegetables and condiments) of Knorr is also very good and a very decent quantity - I mean it's a lot! </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Herbs & spices</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Herbs de Provence, pesto mix (albahaca, ajo and dehydrated parmesan) used as condiment, black pepper, salt, comino (cumin), chilli/ají, pimenton (paprika), curry, and some more herbs like rosemary, laurel leaves etc. <br />
Packets of pre-mixed herbs and spices are also good; obviously one could make up your own mixes before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Coffee & Tea</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Obviously!! Sugar and then instant coffee. Also coffee in bags (like tea) with each can make twice.<br />
*take ‘cloth’ coffee filter with anyway as sometimes find ground coffee in a puesto. Can also be used as a water filter. #waterfilter. The reason I’m not specifically recommending taking ground coffee is that I found after a hard day, an instant or bag coffee was quicker which means you can get that relaxing moment much quicker. It's a case of personal preference in this case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pastas</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Only took spaghetti this time as it packs easier. I break it in half and then in smaller ziplock bags (that size works perfect in the small pot too).<br />
For shorter trips can use other pastas too although they're bulky.<br />
*take queso rallado if available!</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Rice</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Into packets of about a cup each. Sometimes use less as added to a soup or something.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Polenta (maize meal) & mash<br />
Basic but a good source of carbs/energy and only hot water needed. Obviously can add herbs and spices as needed.<br />
Instant mash is even easier to make and quicker - arguably more tasty too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dehydrated vegetables</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Got from ex-guest in El Calafate. Absolutely brilliant to add to any dish and covers that necessity to have veggies.<br />
Used to be able to buy in supermarkets but not sure at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Fresh produce</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Always a tricky one this and literally a weighty issue. It doesn't always last either and should be evaluated case by case. The other thing is squashing them so something like tomato generally won't work (rather get packets of tomato paste then).<br />
This time I got a whole garlic from Sergio which is excellent and lightweight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Cubes (flavour/soups)</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
And now in packets with powder which is less bulky to pack. Something almost a must as even on its own can be like a cup of 'soup'. I always have them and always use them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Cooking oil</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
Small plastic bottle. Unless going to fry a lot, don't really use much at all. Might help start a fire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pots/pans</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">As a solo trekker, I had a small pot and pan set that fit into one another. Inside the pot I kept all my herbs and spices so they were all available immediately for whatever I was cooking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Example</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">: start cooking or frying something in the pot and then adding more water for the pasta or rice. This way there's no need to drain off water and you have a full little pot of creamier/smoother food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Water bottles</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
In Mitre only have the 600ml bottle as there's a lot of water along the route.<br />
But, also have an empty 2lt plastic with which I fill when I put up camp so I have water to cook with as well. This can also be filled in advance if I know that I'm likely going to be camping at a site without water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Fire</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br />
As above, cooking oil might help. Plastic wrappers from the rubbish taken along also help to start a fire. Cotton wool works a treat and then some candle wax won't go amiss.<br />
Then there's the option of having something like dried teabags that have been soaked in an oil or fuel of sorts before (obvious risk of contaminating other things in the backpack if not wrapped and packed well.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Matches and gas lighters:</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> always have extras in sealed (ziplock type bags) in addition to the ones you're using daily. If you have time, and patience, you can make one packet of matches waterproof by dipping the heads in candle wax. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Camping Stove & Gas</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I have a little camping stove that uses gas but with a hose connecting to the gas cylinder. This is a huge advantage over the stoves that screw in directly on top of the cylinders. Reason being that the latter is much more at risk of falling over plus with the flame higher, blocking the wind gets more complicated. In the case of my stove, getting the three legs level on the ground is much easier and I have a lightweight foldup sheet that I can setup around it to block the wind (about 15cm maximum high).</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq1E-5fbOFA/YTUdMSZVbmI/AAAAAAAAGYE/QIkNIfvCBCsv6Jkik0aIe528InudylXvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq1E-5fbOFA/YTUdMSZVbmI/AAAAAAAAGYE/QIkNIfvCBCsv6Jkik0aIe528InudylXvQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2894.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-92139642843353720292019-03-07T03:23:00.007+03:002021-09-06T14:48:55.427+03:00Extreme Trekking - Peninsula Mitre<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1J1L8ckYNU/YTX_x3pm-PI/AAAAAAAAGYw/Ey8z9_ttNdMZb6I-febORP2O-HN7mY04wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Extreme%2Btrekking.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1J1L8ckYNU/YTX_x3pm-PI/AAAAAAAAGYw/Ey8z9_ttNdMZb6I-febORP2O-HN7mY04wCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Extreme%2Btrekking.png" width="600" /></a></div>
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(<i>Initial press release of expedition completed)</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;">6 March 2019</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Media Contact:</b> Marcell Claassen </span></div>
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<span color="rgb(0 , 0 , 0)" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Website:</b> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><a href="https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/" style="color: #1155cc;"><span color="rgb(17 , 85 , 204)" style="font-size: 11pt;">https://www.expedevacexpeditions.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"><i>(Social media links below)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">First South African Treks Inhospitable Extreme South-Eastern tip of Argentina</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">460km trek on foot from the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">USHUAIA, ARGENTINA. 3 MARCH 2019 - Marcell Claassen, 51 year old South African, arrived today after completing a 460km trek on foot from Ushuaia along the southern, eastern and north-western coast of Tierra del Fuego of which at least 300km is part of Peninsula Mitre, one of the most isolated and inhospitable areas of Argentina. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">With a backpack weighing on average 35kg, Marcell was carrying supplies or at least 10-15 days at any given stage due to the remoteness and isolation of Peninsula Mitre. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">At irregular intervals he encountered </span><span style="font-style: italic;">gauchos</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> (cowboys) or a </span><span style="font-style: italic;">puestero </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">(caretaker for landowner) who invited him to spend a night or two at their hut where they would enjoy an </span><span style="font-style: italic;">asado</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> (traditional Argentinian barbeque). They also provided Marcell some supplies for the next few days. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">At Buen Suceso Bay in the southeast coast, a small Argentinian Naval detachment provided shelter for a 3-day storm and further support in the form of supplies for another 10 days. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Peninsula Mitre is rich in history and culture with archaeological finds dating back several thousand years. The rugged and treacherous coastline has been responsible for very many shipwrecks over at least 3 centuries. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">It's part of this coastline and its harsh weather, imposing sheer cliffs topped with wind-skewed and tangled forest, that forced Marcell to make two diversions inland along valleys, rivers and streams with a mix of tall marsh grass, densely forested mountain slopes and vast waterlogged bogs. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">One won't find any trekking trails or routes although at times the tracks of guanacos, wild horses and cows were used. These tracks required a lot of caution as there is a constant risk of them leading to the crumbling edge of a high cliff. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Currently Marcell is planning and training for a trans-Patagonian expedition that over 8,000km will attempt to traverse both Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia on foot and with packraft (a lightweight inflatable expedition kayak). Companies and individuals interested in sponsoring the expedition are welcome to contact Marcell. To date no sponsorship has been procured yet. </span></div>
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<h4 style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i>About Marcell Claassen:</i></b></span></h4>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Born in Klerksdorp in the North West Province on 26 September 1967, the 51 year old Marcell is a safari (in Africa) and trekking guide, divemaster and adventure tourism consultant. As adventurer and explorer through his work, also his passion, he's been travelling continuously for 18 years now, the last 5 years in South America. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">In 2011, Marcell also completed a solo expedition through West Africa by overland truck from Harare, Zimbabwe to Bamako, Mali, a journey of 12,800km over two months. </span></div>
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<span color="rgb(0 , 0 , 0)">His e-book of the expedition is available at <a href="https://sellfy.com/p/bJhs/"><span color="rgb(17 , 85 , 204)">Travelogue of a Solo Journey Through West Africa</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Marcell Claassen is also available for interviews and can be contacted by e-mail, mobile phone and on Whatsapp. (Details above)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Instagram:</b> <a href="https://instagram.com/marcellc67"><span color="rgb(17 , 85 , 204)" style="font-size: 11pt;">@marcellc67</span></a></span></div>
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<span color="rgb(0 , 0 , 0)" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/marcellc67" style="color: #1155cc;"><span color="rgb(17 , 85 , 204)" style="font-size: 11pt;">@marcellc67</span></a></span></div>
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<span color="rgb(0 , 0 , 0)" style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Facebook Page:</b> <a href="https://facebook.com/Expedevac" style="color: #1155cc;"><span color="rgb(17 , 85 , 204)" style="font-size: 11pt;">ExpedEvac Expeditions</span></a></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><h4 style="font-family: arial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><i>Photos with captions</i></b></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m761CpnKWqo/YTX6I3rT-7I/AAAAAAAAGYM/U4NdYRXSqP0FHc0M-ihToWwBZXfCHc9JQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m761CpnKWqo/YTX6I3rT-7I/AAAAAAAAGYM/U4NdYRXSqP0FHc0M-ihToWwBZXfCHc9JQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></div>
<h4 style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Day 51: 350km from Ushuaia on 21 February 2019: </span></h4>
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<span>Heading to Estancia Policarpo from the 3 Amigos hut, Peninsula Mitre shared some of it's infamous unpredictable weather and gave me 2 hours of snow. The first hour visibility dropped to 50m max with wind-driven snow and I was trekking purely on compass heading. </span></div>
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<span>The closest forest resembling any kind of shelter was at least a kilometre away; walking was keeping me warm across the open turba (bog/marsh), so the only option was to continue. ...an hour after this, there was 30min of sun followed again for the 4th time in the day, wind-driven hail in the face and still no shelter nearby. **17:00 I arrived at Estancia Policarpo, 17km trek for the day and striking up a good fire in the wood stove.</span></div><div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJgBhfhdnjs/YTTb9OipIoI/AAAAAAAAGUM/cdUo-N3DBJMU-GRclm2hbsMRKyBegkMBwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0775.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJgBhfhdnjs/YTTb9OipIoI/AAAAAAAAGUM/cdUo-N3DBJMU-GRclm2hbsMRKyBegkMBwCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h360/F2F%2Bwith%2Bfear-Peninsula%2BMitre%252CTDF%252C%2BArgentina-0775.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">Day 28:</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"> 213km from Ushuaia at the Bagualero River. Electric storms kept me pinned down here for 3 days. </span></div><div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17gKzLDfVUo/YTX6slKKhoI/AAAAAAAAGYU/ZRAYCGucLGM3BqhZ8abDo6NLjuJZo_tgACNcBGAsYHQ/s1403/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1403" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17gKzLDfVUo/YTX6slKKhoI/AAAAAAAAGYU/ZRAYCGucLGM3BqhZ8abDo6NLjuJZo_tgACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Day 12:<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> 120km from Ushuaia. View through the forest on a notorious descent known as "Horse Killer".</span></div></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/em2sysCe49c?list=PLRvWrMSZdHGKeKDxmdBSX1eP1yRkTZyUb" width="560"></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-58109844728147244502018-10-26T02:28:00.007+03:002021-09-06T15:06:51.416+03:00Snow Trekking to a Patagonian Icon<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8_eS3OqQBk/YTYEKZAfiNI/AAAAAAAAGZI/bFisUk77dcIEyJarxTRYveZ19jrtYz-1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Snow%2Btrekking-fitzroy.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8_eS3OqQBk/YTYEKZAfiNI/AAAAAAAAGZI/bFisUk77dcIEyJarxTRYveZ19jrtYz-1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Snow%2Btrekking-fitzroy.png"/></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDlEbRTIO7I/XoZA0EEu-UI/AAAAAAAAFAk/IJQX7cJfJdI2jZWq5h4nvrJZTmXv-JaEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/29010414617_2db9721924_h%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDlEbRTIO7I/XoZA0EEu-UI/AAAAAAAAFAk/IJQX7cJfJdI2jZWq5h4nvrJZTmXv-JaEQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h301/29010414617_2db9721924_h%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The air was extremely brisk as I ascended carefully on the iced trail through the forest with the head torch being the only light. At times, torturously slow when there was no patches of snow or mud to give me better grip. Other than some of the trees immediately around me and about 15m ahead on the trail, I couldn't make out anything...the moon was but a crescent with its light not really penetrating the darker areas of the forest. After about 1.5km the trail was more snow and less ice and I could start moving a bit faster, slowing down for the little wooden boardwalks and bridges that all had a thick layer of ice on. Crossing them I would try and kick in my heels and/or try and chip at it with the walking poles.</div>
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I was trying to reach Lake Capri before sunrise to get the colours and the light of the rising sun on the rock pinnacles of Fitz Roy and co. Departing just before 7:30am from the village of El Chaltén, it was going to be a 11-13km one way trek to the base area of Mt Fitz Roy, (peak at around 3,400m above sea level) at about 1,200m altitude. Located in the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentine Patagonia, it has become one of the iconic and probably one of the most identifiable landmarks in this part of Patagonia with Torres del Paine on the Chilean side, another iconic site.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cs7tK1yE0vI/YTYCg7swLYI/AAAAAAAAGY4/6FhyMdCO_mAYx-xikyfY1IqUJAv8GztUACNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/38914430_2218821918146264_2471365920610582528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cs7tK1yE0vI/YTYCg7swLYI/AAAAAAAAGY4/6FhyMdCO_mAYx-xikyfY1IqUJAv8GztUACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/38914430_2218821918146264_2471365920610582528_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Winding up and through the forest, the snow was getting a bit deeper as I got closer to Lake Capri - stopping suddenly as I saw the pink clouds over the tip of Fitz Roy, I had to take some photos now as I wasn´t totally sure how much longer it would take me to get to the lake in these conditions. Taking photos, I was on the one hand missing my DSLR camera but on the other hand, smiling like a kid that just got a bicycle for christmas! It was just simply something else to see this icon for myself! It didn´t actually take me much longer to get to Lake Capri but the pink in the clouds was just disappearing as I arrived although the view of Fitz Roy was still clear.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The peace and quiet in this white world was amazing and humbling at the same time. The lake as such wasn´t visible other than a huge flat area covered in about 10-15cm of snow over the iced surface. The trees and patches of forest were in stark and dark contrast against the all white background. A 20min break and taking photos and I headed off to Los 3 Lagos at the foot of Mt Fitz Roy. The trail follows the lakeshore for almost a kilometre before heading out into a more open area. Trekking through the snow from here is not overly difficult with the snow only being around 20-30cm deep although obviously harder work than a plain trail without snow.<br />
<br />At various points along the trail I stop to marvel at the pinnacles of Fitz Roy standing out clear against the sky in the distance, like the one just before crossing over the wetland along a single wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk turns out to be an interesting crossing as it´s covered with snow and ice and only 30cm wide. It makes for some careful kicking in with the boots and/or where possible, breaking some ice out with the one of the trekking poles. A couple of the little wooden bridge crossings are the same - no chance at relaxing mentally as you have to stay alert for any patch of ice which could send one falling and sliding into some freezing cold water. Luckily the worst that happened with me was one glove falling into water at the edge of the wetland and I had extra gloves to use while that one sort of dried in the icy wind.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZvIKfEAOU4/YS5Pr13NW8I/AAAAAAAAGM4/uOWA260Qv088yecavXNsOilqPZKC4UB5QCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/Fitzroy-Chalten.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZvIKfEAOU4/YS5Pr13NW8I/AAAAAAAAGM4/uOWA260Qv088yecavXNsOilqPZKC4UB5QCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Fitzroy-Chalten.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Meeting up with two other guys along the way trekking to Fitz Roy, we stop at a little shelter before the ascent up the last section, the part which everyone has told us is the hardest and steepest part. In the shelter we meet another couple who´d slept there the night but early morning had already trekked up and descended with snowboards. Whilst the guys are sharing out the traditional Argentinian maté we chat about the route and the section ahead; a bite to eat and we start off with the final section. Winding through some woodland the trail starts to ascend almost immediately onto an open long ridge ascent. In the distance we can see 2-3 other people and only because of the coloured clothing against the snow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We reach a steeper slope where the tips of some trail stakes stick out although not many but it becomes obvious, to us anyway, it´s a sort of zig-zag section. The snow is now on average up to half a metre deep so the pace is slowing down as we try and negotiate the way up which appears to be a rocky area covered in deep snow. Ascending all the time, the snow gets deeper and the stakes are long ago not visible anymore so it´s just about choosing the next 5-10m and then getting there. The slope is also more exposed and the wind is gusting through at around 70km/h every now and then. With the gusts, we hunker down for the 1-2min and then carry on with the next few paces. The deep snow sort of helps to anchor us in the gusting wind that seems to be trying to blow us off the slope. When there are some rock to walk on, we have to hunch down into a ball against the gusts when they hit us - interesting times!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After what feels like hours, we reach a crest (after 2-3 false "summits") and the Lago de Los Tres (covered in snow and ice) and Fitz Roy/El Chaltén (this is the original local name of this peak) is there in front of us in all its glory! What a sight! Once again, like countless times times up to now in Patagonia, I´m speechless. ...talking to anyone in this wind is in any case totally pointless! It had taken us over 90min to ascend, a section that would apparently in summer be about 40-50min max...it´s only 1km!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can´t believe that I´m standing in front of this Patagonian icon, it´s certainly a surreal moment albeit unforgettable. The one guy gestures that he´ll take a couple of photos of me with the phone at least - not the best quality but hey, I´m hardly complaining at this stage!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We only spend about 15min here before we start making our way down again. With the howling wind and even stronger gusts, there are absolutely no tracks visible but at least there´s no fog so we can use landmarks to keep our direction to the long ridge near the shelter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some more hot maté and then a large milanesa sandwich roll each which goes down like a gourmet meal of note. Now we have the 10km trail to negotiate back to the village of El Chaltén. We´re joined by an Italian guy and the 5 of us head back; moving much quicker but everyone is agreed on how tired they are so probably more motivated by getting back to rest than having a load of energy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The evening after a long hot shower I realised that my trekking boots had saved me from a potentially nasty ankle injury up on the final slope. I had felt my foot slip against a rock deep inside the snow but not thought much of it. Now the boot was off, I realised that it had supported my ankle during a pretty hard twist, heaven knows how bad it could´ve been if I hadn´t been wearing the boots! Exactly why proper boots are so important and even more so when trekking pretty remote areas or areas with difficult access.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was now hardly able to step on the foot, so bandaged up and frustratingly not able to go trekking the next couple of days.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbaH6KiM8g0/YTYC7ycRqOI/AAAAAAAAGZA/SsgDQXPt9UAwULEiqISzkceRZ7lnuYbHACNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/39213509_2230054533689669_5378601670928236544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbaH6KiM8g0/YTYC7ycRqOI/AAAAAAAAGZA/SsgDQXPt9UAwULEiqISzkceRZ7lnuYbHACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/39213509_2230054533689669_5378601670928236544_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rancho Grande in El Chaltén: excellent accommodation with 24-hour restaurant</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What an incredible day - difficult and challenging at times but at the same time rewarding us with spectacular views of a Patagonian icon...Mt Fitz Roy!</div>
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<b><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Date & Season:</b> 8 August 2018 - late winter</div></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Total distance:</b> 21km</div>
<b><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Duration:</b> 10.5 hours</div></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conditions:</b> 1st km icy and the rest of the trail snow varying from 15-30cm deep.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Last km ascent: snow depth ranging from 50-70cm and wind gusting up to estimated 70km/h</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com1RP23, El Chalten, Santa Cruz, Argentina-49.274184074399912 -73.044253466796931-49.357031074399913 -73.205614966796929 -49.191337074399911 -72.882891966796933tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-21520640140764497202018-07-30T21:03:00.001+03:002021-09-06T15:43:35.586+03:00People, Languages and Encounters<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VP1zitVybZc/YTYMrkAbZMI/AAAAAAAAGaQ/CcaycvpGhnQNYeFo0WFttQVAXtq9sNlewCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Everyone%2Bhas%2Ba%2Bstory.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VP1zitVybZc/YTYMrkAbZMI/AAAAAAAAGaQ/CcaycvpGhnQNYeFo0WFttQVAXtq9sNlewCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Everyone%2Bhas%2Ba%2Bstory.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<div><span style="text-align: justify;">Meeting new people is part and parcel of travelling, something unavoidable - and something I would not even think of avoiding. People have enriched my travel experience more than I can even start to explain! Even the "bad apples" or people with less than good intentions, because from them came lessons learnt, different perspectives and sometimes even more incentive for me to carry on doing what I do. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7rH5Peog5A/YTYFkgZbxwI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/Kw_o7qaiWv8LBYtvMqizQL7xHdOAfdygQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1145/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25284%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1145" height="544" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7rH5Peog5A/YTYFkgZbxwI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/Kw_o7qaiWv8LBYtvMqizQL7xHdOAfdygQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h544/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Little girl looking after her baby sister. Burkina Faso<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>I have to say as well that sometimes someone who comes across ad unpleasant, have surprised me when sitting down with them and chatting - don't judge a book by its cover...ever!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Speaking the language obviously makes these encounters and experiences even better but there are times when passing through an atea, there just hasn't been time to learn the language. This is especially true in remote and rural areas. One of my favourite and most memorable experiences was when I couldn't speak the local language - and they couldn't speak anything I understand. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7aP4g2Ej0I/YTYFu0amXaI/AAAAAAAAGZU/imwmxsK2jcwnSgCZmyiQn9GjyM8cvsQCgCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="960" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7aP4g2Ej0I/YTYFu0amXaI/AAAAAAAAGZU/imwmxsK2jcwnSgCZmyiQn9GjyM8cvsQCgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With some people I met at the Cabana festival. Ancash, Peru.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>This was on my solo expedition through West Africa in 2011 and I had just crossed the great Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The sun had already ser and I was driving on a track through tall grass and bush; the truck headlights weren't working very well due to some electrical fault. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>I noticed an open space with a little house where there was a fire going; seemed enough space to park the truck for the night if I was permitted to. Getting out, I asked in gestures and some sign language if I could park the truck there to sleep overnight. They couldn't speak French or Swahili (never mind English) and what they spoke I couldn't understand either. Anyway, they nodded enthusiastically, smiling and talking excitedly. It was a family home with parents and three children; there were no villages in these parts, each family just had their own space in the bush. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>I parked up the truck and as I was getting out, the man stood there with a bowl of food and a tea-like drink. Unasked for but this was their way of welcoming me. Graciously accepting, I sat eating next to the fire with them - it was then that I realised that there were more people arriving. The kids had run off into the bush to call other friends/neighbours to come and see/meet the stranger that had just arrived.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c54bkU-h9Yg/YTYGJJJm-vI/AAAAAAAAGZk/xlaSEZvpmS8ed-BNQj9-iYid5fjW0JUOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25287%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="960" height="504" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c54bkU-h9Yg/YTYGJJJm-vI/AAAAAAAAGZk/xlaSEZvpmS8ed-BNQj9-iYid5fjW0JUOwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h504/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local guys in DR Congo with cigarettes - something totally new for some of them.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Putting on some music in the truck, the dancing started with everyone, including the kids, showing off their own special moves. (Somehow they knew the music of Brenda Fassie - a South African singer! Had a good laugh at that)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>One saw the camera and posed for a photo which got even crazier dance moves going and funnier poses. The men asked for a cigarette (they were smoking some local self-made tobacco) which I shared with them and this resulted in a group photo of the men posing with their cigarettes. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjXuBW6HeO0/YTYGUelPdeI/AAAAAAAAGZs/EHn2jQEDP_cERYVlK4IQzBVkd27T2IArgCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25288%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="960" height="554" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjXuBW6HeO0/YTYGUelPdeI/AAAAAAAAGZs/EHn2jQEDP_cERYVlK4IQzBVkd27T2IArgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h554/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truck drivers from Chad giving me tips on the <br />route (Zimbabwe to Mali expedition)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What an amazing night and unforgettable experience! Saying goodbye the next morning, after eating with them first of course, was almost a sad affair with them wanting me to stay longer - I was tempted but had to go. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone has a story...</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>It's encounters like this that make me look forward to meeting more new people. Helping you along the way with advice, giving a lift and/or sharing their food with me. People that don't even know me and sometimes hardly even chatting, stop and give water, food or something for the journey. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being invited into somebody's home is even more special I think. Considering I'm a stranger that they know nothing about, it shows an almost unbelievable level of trust in a fellow human. Honouring this trust and not abusing it is of huge importance. It's also humbling when people put this amount of trust in you as a stranger...I'm sure I haven't always looked my best but this didn't put them off. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvpyodDKVyg/YTYGdwWhTrI/AAAAAAAAGZ0/LOJP0THH0soSEWTKIF5VSZJgIa3hfXOigCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25289%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="960" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvpyodDKVyg/YTYGdwWhTrI/AAAAAAAAGZ0/LOJP0THH0soSEWTKIF5VSZJgIa3hfXOigCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h450/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chefferie parade and races in central Cameroon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>I can write books full about my experiences with people I've met in my travels, the chats we've had ranging from sharing their most personal thoughts and dreams to local folklore/legends to politics and religion. </span><span>Over the years (18 years on the road now) of travel, I've learnt to listen more, to have a respectful curiosity to learn more about the people and their life; and to share my experiences as well - ultimately these people also want to learn more about you and who you are. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7jmR79PWVI/YTYGvJR8JQI/AAAAAAAAGaA/HyEfHLXjocIdWavzsgFWu6S2dHtXld8awCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252810%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7jmR79PWVI/YTYGvJR8JQI/AAAAAAAAGaA/HyEfHLXjocIdWavzsgFWu6S2dHtXld8awCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murta Festival in Ensanada. Region de Los Lagos, Chile</td></tr></tbody></table><br />When I say "people" I mean literally anybody; I've had the privilege to sit down and chat with kings and princes and listen to their private thoughts and opinions - exactly the same way as I've sat down with a "simple" person next to the fire in the bush and listened to their stories. </span><b style="text-align: justify;"><i><font color="#ef6c00">Remember, everyone has a story.</font></i></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Get out there with an open mind, a smile and ready to listen. I am willing to guarantee you that at least in part, your faith in your fellow humans, region of origin, class or language will be restored. Almost certainly you will be left with an urge to meet more new people in new places where you might not even speak the language. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kR1b4BwpHQg/YTYG3Jxi04I/AAAAAAAAGaE/0v4D-JZYTlMsM2WAObrxnH5LpcyCt49cgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252811%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kR1b4BwpHQg/YTYG3Jxi04I/AAAAAAAAGaE/0v4D-JZYTlMsM2WAObrxnH5LpcyCt49cgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maté, beers and snacks at the Piltriquitron Refugio, El Bolson, Argentina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-63382969373332665412018-07-21T01:37:00.001+03:002021-09-06T16:03:31.952+03:00Ascending in Snowy Patagonia<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcbhYQ-DVHA/YTYRgRDnMII/AAAAAAAAGbw/uXTr-AqD9PUYJw7juaglOvhn2Gxr0-kEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ascending%2Bin%2Bsnowy%2BPatagonia.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcbhYQ-DVHA/YTYRgRDnMII/AAAAAAAAGbw/uXTr-AqD9PUYJw7juaglOvhn2Gxr0-kEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Ascending%2Bin%2Bsnowy%2BPatagonia.png"/></a></div>
<br /><span style="text-align: justify;">It was a cloudy and cold morning in the village of El Bolsón (315m altitude) in the Argentinian Patagonia. We were trekking east from the village up to Refugio Piltriquitron (<i>refugio:</i> mountain hut/refuge) located at 1,500m altitude on the mountain with the same name. </span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a long road walk till we hit the ascending dirt road...and then more. About halfway up with the road there was already patches of snow. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZQo1HHuI5U/YTYOUAzLGFI/AAAAAAAAGac/6mXIRCo0QbQVEEjpO4jC8m2J55mT0usEACNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZQo1HHuI5U/YTYOUAzLGFI/AAAAAAAAGac/6mXIRCo0QbQVEEjpO4jC8m2J55mT0usEACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />(The road leads to a parking area about 1km before the "Bosque Tallado" - a forest with large carved sculptures by local artists.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We found the more direct albeit more rustic forest trail which meant we could leave the road.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1Zp_jLxqHg/YTYOcsEFlkI/AAAAAAAAGak/_1VZBbWjGIELLevOOwY5xqawjmhJI2zlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1508/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1508" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1Zp_jLxqHg/YTYOcsEFlkI/AAAAAAAAGak/_1VZBbWjGIELLevOOwY5xqawjmhJI2zlwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;">The arrival at a viewpoint area near the parking lot rewarded us with a cloud blanket over the valley and the Andes open and crystal clear on the western side of the valley. Even though the trail is also used by day visitors to carvings in the forest and the refugio, we were ascending with 3-5 supplies of food, sleeping bags and me with the tent as well. The downside of the trail being well- trodden in places is that the snow is compacted and in places just a slippery ice slide. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRChWXmWS7c/YTYOliWcdLI/AAAAAAAAGas/Jxxf3BiBlokDpOTejpFiRWhTBWjt-uqlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRChWXmWS7c/YTYOliWcdLI/AAAAAAAAGas/Jxxf3BiBlokDpOTejpFiRWhTBWjt-uqlQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252815%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: justify;">The weight of my backpack was starting to make itself as we reached the Bosque Tallado almost five hours after heading off from the village. Further up from here there were some "steps" cut into the ice to help with ascent/descent. I had the two trekking poles which helped at times but the boots on ice were only good for sliding on steeper parts.</span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hWmFjQ1-wA/YTYOwqEu7zI/AAAAAAAAGa0/DR8MHaV6SSwmk-wfYhS5H1gAaqGKq5PqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hWmFjQ1-wA/YTYOwqEu7zI/AAAAAAAAGa0/DR8MHaV6SSwmk-wfYhS5H1gAaqGKq5PqgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252816%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">This meant looking for softer snow along the trail as an alternative route, at times 30cm+ deep snow but better than having no footing. </span><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally arriving at the Refugio Piltriquitron was amazing; a snow-covered landscape with peaks and a frozen waterfall on one side and the cloud-covered valley on the other. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fmcOQRTsXk/YTYO5j8n8fI/AAAAAAAAGa8/z9xUg2E68-g6xAx1zvMp22-eNXOy8jl0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1399/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1399" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fmcOQRTsXk/YTYO5j8n8fI/AAAAAAAAGa8/z9xUg2E68-g6xAx1zvMp22-eNXOy8jl0wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: justify;">This turned out to be key for a stunning sunset later on. Well, I had a tent to pitch and this was down into a little bowl-like forested section. The guy sharing the tent with me helped me compact the area where we decidedly to put the tent. The thick plastic sheet went down first and then the tent and stakes.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rdEa9W9NUA/YTYPDqfZsSI/AAAAAAAAGbE/pqUdEFt8spkWlQT4xHeKsQuFF4FpTa-WACNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rdEa9W9NUA/YTYPDqfZsSI/AAAAAAAAGbE/pqUdEFt8spkWlQT4xHeKsQuFF4FpTa-WACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">The latter are short but later proved they froze well solid into their spots. Also the tent covers flaps were packed with snow - ready for action!</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here we shared the tent for two nights until the other guy descended with other friends and I stayed another night alone. Cooking my dinner out there in the snow-covered forest proved so relaxing it was almost therapeutic!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">That third night proved to be the night that the tent, the stakes and the sleeping bag would be tested much more. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the night I woke to an odd silence followed by a distant noise - it was the wind gusting down from the peaks and within 15-20 seconds it slammed into the tent, testing every single stake and tied line...forcing icy snowy air at speed through a lower ventilation opening into the tent. This was where the sleeping bag came into its own keeping me completely covered, dry and very warm through the -10 to -15 Celsius degrees wind gusts (...if not colder!) I was actually smiling seeing the gear work and do very well what they were designed for. The morning dawned with almost every drop of condensation frozen by the air through the ventilation although the tent itself inside didn't feel overly cold. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41xrwAlIbFA/YTYPXknBjlI/AAAAAAAAGbU/Knfgt4tebNkSFhPMELX8h5x9x7Ubi2-0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252820%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41xrwAlIbFA/YTYPXknBjlI/AAAAAAAAGbU/Knfgt4tebNkSFhPMELX8h5x9x7Ubi2-0wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252820%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It was time to pack up the sleeping bag (damp on the top a bit) and the frozen tent. This was when I could really appreciate how each stake had been frozen fast, not that I was complaining. Admittedly this all proved to be the easiest task of the day in comparison with what lay ahead - I still had to descend to the village and the icy wind would've frozen trail sections even harder. I briefly stopped and looked back at the camp spot and whispered thanks - thanks to the mountain for allowing me to be closer to its greatness. The trails were indeed more frozen and 2-3 times on steeper sections it was safer, and easier, to just sit and slide down on my backside and with decent snow trousers I wasn't getting wet either. There were a few falls/slips which might also have in part been due to a moment's lack of concentration. A challenging descent but interesting and fun at times. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYfoSAChB58/YTYPkKE0tRI/AAAAAAAAGbc/x3lQPMfpFbQM5P1tPLCCIrxilR-tapvkACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYfoSAChB58/YTYPkKE0tRI/AAAAAAAAGbc/x3lQPMfpFbQM5P1tPLCCIrxilR-tapvkACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252821%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: justify;">I arrived in the village at the hostel tired but well content with the the four days in the mountain. Lots of lessons learnt and some gear got a testing as well. </span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Note: I will follow this up with a post with more details on the route, trail and the Refugio Piltriquitron.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4dJW23Vsi0/YTYPtHPOdxI/AAAAAAAAGbk/VAg4KEKb5pM2pljmBL4IK_3i36TPtn4KQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4dJW23Vsi0/YTYPtHPOdxI/AAAAAAAAGbk/VAg4KEKb5pM2pljmBL4IK_3i36TPtn4KQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Thanks to the following for their support: </h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><address>1. Garth Hovell <a href="https://www.instagram.com/privateguideworldwide" id="id_cd39_1ada_3f9b_e433" target="_self">@privateguideworldwide</a> who sponsored the Doite Himalaya 2 tent and Doite Eagle Sleeping Mat. </address><address style="text-align: start;">2. Supporters on my <a href="gf.me/u/jizjd9" id="id_95b1_de18_23c8_e1be" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;" target="_self">GoFundMe</a> campaign who contributed to the Doite Siberia sleeping bag and Doite wool socks. </address><address>**this support is absolutely invaluable in my preparations for the Trans-Patagonia Expedition. </address><address>You can still show your support on my <a href="gf.me/u/jizjd9" id="id_bc55_4ed2_7496_1e68" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;" target="_self">GoFundMe</a> page. </address><address><br /></address><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-696113289281806001.post-44160824937428562112018-06-11T22:01:00.004+03:002021-09-06T17:30:50.984+03:00Trekking Above the Clouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVtpbD-hWN4/YTYmDqJ0poI/AAAAAAAAGeI/b8AyxrZlClYXGnlIm2pETb5YjLIR0I5eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trekking%2Babove%2Bthe%2Bclouds.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVtpbD-hWN4/YTYmDqJ0poI/AAAAAAAAGeI/b8AyxrZlClYXGnlIm2pETb5YjLIR0I5eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Trekking%2Babove%2Bthe%2Bclouds.png"/></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">The air is cold and just light enough to show the outline of a lake lined by bent and crooked
silhouettes like old spirits crowding the shoreline in the predawn mist. The vehicle swirls of the air
and moves the mist at times to reveal high and towering shadows of some of the highest peaks,
still over 3,000m above us. Still ascending, we gradually get more hemmed in by forest, alpine
grass and large boulders with glacial streams bubbling over onto the dirt track. Windows frosted
over, everyone’s been woken up by the bumpy ascent and trying to see the views still stubbornly
hidden by the early mountain fog.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epdS4PblA48/YTYgocvpWtI/AAAAAAAAGdQ/QyRDc5SSiNg8Z054AhgXgPAEJNISjMuwQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252833%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epdS4PblA48/YTYgocvpWtI/AAAAAAAAGdQ/QyRDc5SSiNg8Z054AhgXgPAEJNISjMuwQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D%2B%252833%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">And then we stop...the guide telling us that soon we’ll be able to have some hot coffee, tea or coca
tea, the natural high altitude med for those who might not feel well at this altitude. We’ve just
arrived at about 4,700m above sea level in the Cordillera Blanca, the highest snow-covered
mountain range in the tropics. As he talks, the light outside goes bright and he quickly loses
everyone’s attention momentarily as there’s a frantic wiping of windows to see outside but not to be
worried, he opens the door to the icy air and with thick layers of clothing there’s almost a rush to
photograph the first sun’s rays against Peru’s highest mountains - Huascarán with its two peaks,
the highest at 6,768m in Peru. Across the Llanganuco valley, the various peaks of the Huandoy
Massif, Pisco and Chacraraju are being lit up by the morning sun.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7c49zGH62E/YTYg978qOwI/AAAAAAAAGdY/oBi1Re8u76UJL0wH8fdwE2mFZocvBMfFACPcBGAsYHg/s2428/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2428" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7c49zGH62E/YTYg978qOwI/AAAAAAAAGdY/oBi1Re8u76UJL0wH8fdwE2mFZocvBMfFACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h404/%255BUNSET%255D" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><br /></span></div>Time for our pre-trek breakfast with scrambled eggs, toast, fruit salad and juice - and more coffee
or tea for those hot drink fiends. Finishing off we get the trail briefing and then also importantly,
briefing on what to do if anybody starts feeling the effects of the high altitude...drinking water and
staying hydrated up here at altitude is one of the most important things to remember. As this trek
starts at a high altitude, there’s no opportunity for acclimatisation on the trek like some of the other
popular treks here in the Cordillera Blanca. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">With patches of snow around, parts of the trail are icy so we move a bit more carefully, especially
some of the rocks that are covered in ice. Other than for the altitude, the first section is not difficult
as it starts off level along a little trail until there’s an ascent where the trail disappears at times
between the rocks. Here you might feel the altitude a bit on your breathing which is why it’s
important to only go on this trek once you’ve acclimatised more to high altitude. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slB2TkV2yCY/YTYhJhCwXfI/AAAAAAAAGdc/EZxb41VVa1YMzjQQLGvSTmP-YJG1pJMkACPcBGAsYHg/s2596/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2596" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slB2TkV2yCY/YTYhJhCwXfI/AAAAAAAAGdc/EZxb41VVa1YMzjQQLGvSTmP-YJG1pJMkACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h378/%255BUNSET%255D" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;">This little ascent
will bring you to one of the best viewpoints on this trek with views down the Llanganuco Valley and
its lakes, Chinancocha and Orconcocha, and then views across to Refugio Peru (ascent to Pisco)
and the glacier of Yanapaccha “behind” you. The rest of the view includes the peaks of Chacraraju
and Pisco (where Laguna 69 is situated), the Huandoy Massif, two peaks of Huascaran and the
almost pyramid shape of Chopicalqui.</span></div></span></div><div class="column"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPxpBa7P_XU/YTYhSj23m8I/AAAAAAAAGdg/6LeweXYs2V4ka5sKQ5eoxeEvCLP1-YrHgCPcBGAsYHg/s2624/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2624" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPxpBa7P_XU/YTYhSj23m8I/AAAAAAAAGdg/6LeweXYs2V4ka5sKQ5eoxeEvCLP1-YrHgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h374/%255BUNSET%255D" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;">After all the group shots and inevitable selfies, we continue on the trail in the direction of the
Yanapaccha glacier and a winding descent through grass and rock. Keep your eyes open for the
deer in and around the queñual forest (</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-style: oblique; text-align: justify;">Polylepis </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;">sp.) further up and the early viscachas warming
themselves on some sunny rocks.</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUFyE6MB1wM/YTYhatb_qyI/AAAAAAAAGdk/rmK20qFDkFkABchefe2WH5zrP9_AtK7qwCPcBGAsYHg/s2144/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2144" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUFyE6MB1wM/YTYhatb_qyI/AAAAAAAAGdk/rmK20qFDkFkABchefe2WH5zrP9_AtK7qwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h458/%255BUNSET%255D" width="640" /></a></div></div>
<div class="column"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;">Due to there being very few people who pass along this route,
there’s still a fair amount of wildlife here, not to talk of all the birdlife. The descent continues
through a patch of queñual forest and over a ridge where we get our first view of the pale green </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;">lake at the foot of Yanapaccha and its glacial streams. In very cold weather, it’s not unusual to have
ice on the lake surface.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrbERDtg86U/YTYhlXcPO9I/AAAAAAAAGdo/JYygw1Y8QCQVMWMrP-GdDAdFZYmFTKH2gCPcBGAsYHg/s2540/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2540" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrbERDtg86U/YTYhlXcPO9I/AAAAAAAAGdo/JYygw1Y8QCQVMWMrP-GdDAdFZYmFTKH2gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h388/%255BUNSET%255D" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;">Snack time! ...and time for more photos. From here we only have a short distance of up and
downs before we join the main trail to Laguna 69 at 4,200m altitude. This is a lovely section though
and one of my favourites with the small river descending from the small lake we were just at,
patches of very tall grass and some forest. Of course, there might very well be some local cows
enjoying the juicy vegetation but there’s also a fair amount of viscachas around and I’ve twice
already come across some puma tracks here - so keep your eyes open.</span></div><div class="page" title="Page 2"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea" style="background-color: white;"><div class="column"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6aai1vopsI/YTYkaRJmxtI/AAAAAAAAGd0/huobWa85O_087btCM_RWt-g2Lqv7i5__wCPcBGAsYHg/s2636/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2636" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6aai1vopsI/YTYkaRJmxtI/AAAAAAAAGd0/huobWa85O_087btCM_RWt-g2Lqv7i5__wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h372/%255BUNSET%255D" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;">There’s no mistaking the main trail to Laguna 69 when we reach it, a wide trail where we might
already encounter some of the early/quicker day hikers making their way up. Reaching a little open
spot, sort out our clothing - taking off jackets if it’s getting warm or putting on other gear, all
depending on the gear. This is also where anybody not feeling up for the next hour, hour and a half
ascent to Laguna 69, can start descending and enjoy some time down at the Llanganuco lakes.
Many will also remember this as the end of the most spectacular part of the trek which very few
people have the opportunity of seeing although, the rest of the trek to Laguna 69 at 4,650m is
hardly boring. Not easy, but worth every step. You can read more about the Laguna 69 trek on my
post “</span><a href="http://www.expedevacexpeditions.com/2014/09/how-blue-is-blue.html" id="id_eac3_e742_ddac_22ec" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;" target="_self">How Blue is Blue?</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;">”</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEXXXrVRDZo/Xo8Vjr3qhPI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/ClTm-oFuW24XGe9wtC0ZCeuiOaSFQeB-QCPcBGAYYCw/s800/14806336640_f66eba5e24_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEXXXrVRDZo/Xo8Vjr3qhPI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/ClTm-oFuW24XGe9wtC0ZCeuiOaSFQeB-QCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h480/14806336640_f66eba5e24_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-weight: 700;"><span>Note
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span>This trek is only offered by Akilpo and for trekkers that are already acclimatised to trekking at high
altitude. If you’re not sure, have a chat with them as they also offer various other 1-day treks that
will help you acclimatise.
</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxzPWbUqtnk/YTYlcIIvM5I/AAAAAAAAGeA/Y4pp6wQC5fUgCTewIk_e4x_Qvo-NEcw6ACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxzPWbUqtnk/YTYlcIIvM5I/AAAAAAAAGeA/Y4pp6wQC5fUgCTewIk_e4x_Qvo-NEcw6ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/%255BUNSET%255D" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span>Included with this trek is the transport to and from the trek start and end points, breakfast </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span>and an
experienced mountain trekking guide qualified in First Aid. You will also be provided with a list of
clothing etc required for the trek; if needs be, some can be rented from Akilpo as well.
</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span>Contact Akilpo: via their Facebook page <span style="font-style: oblique; font-weight: 700;">@akilpohuaraz </span>to message or e-mail them.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;">website: </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: 700; text-size-adjust: auto;">www.akilpohuaraz.com</span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/akilpo_trek" id="id_b789_e809_e87e_d0d1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;" target="_self"><b><i><span style="color: #ff5722;">@akilpo_trek</span></i></b></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span>Office: Parque Ginebra 30-B, 02001 Huaraz (Ancash, Peru)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span>Tel: </span><a dir="ltr" href="tel:+51%20433%20906" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors="true"><span>+51 433 90</span>6</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cudtfOT0z4A/XoyaRrQkz0I/AAAAAAAAFHc/O95tH2THV-wkoPygbnCe-AVvUjvUknSggCPcBGAYYCw/s800/27706899729_471fae6d9d_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cudtfOT0z4A/XoyaRrQkz0I/AAAAAAAAFHc/O95tH2THV-wkoPygbnCe-AVvUjvUknSggCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h360/27706899729_471fae6d9d_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for following the latest updates from ExpedEvac and Marcell's explorations. Cheers, Marcell</div>Marcell Claassenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818922772730967817noreply@blogger.com0