Jes and Mikkel had decided to go climbing- or hiking - their way to the top of the Cerro Toco volcano. Being one of the easily accessible peaks around San Pedro de Atacama this was their first choice.
Pick up was as always early, around 7:30 AM. It turned out it was only the two of them and a guide - Christian from Vulcano Expediciones doing the trip. We drove out of town and onto the road towards the mountain going uphill all the time. In less than 45 minutes we reached 3500 meters, then 4000 meters, then gravel road and then the car had to slow down a bit. The air was getting thinner.
At around 4400 meters we had a breakfast stop. Having been at altitude for some days now meant that we didn't have any problems - apart from the usual ones. Heavy breathing and small steps. The drive continued until 5100 meters. Then we continued on foot - one step at a time. No need to hurry - or rather no option to hurry.
The ascent took around 2 hours and being really cold and windy despite a clear sky and the sun shining. This is really the high Andes. We reached the top and what a view. San Pedro de Atacama was visible down on the altiplano, to the south was the impressive ALMA radio telescope and far in the horizon the salt flats we visited yesterday. And all the peaks of the different volcanoes 50 kilometres, 100 kilometres and 200 kilometres away could be seen.
We did a lot of photos, had some much needed energy bars, some more photos and headed down. This is considerably easier than the ascent. Getting the technique for jumping down the loose gravel on the trail means that the ascent could be done in less than 45 minutes.
Then it was back in the car, and going from 5100 meters to 2400 meters in about an hour. We came back to the hostel and Malene was taking powernap #5 that day. We needed some food so we went to our local place for the Menu del dia, came back for a nap and then it was time to get ready for us leaving tomorrow.
Big dinner at a local place tonight recommended by our excellent guide. Not the most fancy food but big servings and honest food. Las Delicias de Carmen. We had good food - and plenty of it. Worth going there.
What a great day - again.
Pick up was as always early, around 7:30 AM. It turned out it was only the two of them and a guide - Christian from Vulcano Expediciones doing the trip. We drove out of town and onto the road towards the mountain going uphill all the time. In less than 45 minutes we reached 3500 meters, then 4000 meters, then gravel road and then the car had to slow down a bit. The air was getting thinner.
At around 4400 meters we had a breakfast stop. Having been at altitude for some days now meant that we didn't have any problems - apart from the usual ones. Heavy breathing and small steps. The drive continued until 5100 meters. Then we continued on foot - one step at a time. No need to hurry - or rather no option to hurry.
The ascent took around 2 hours and being really cold and windy despite a clear sky and the sun shining. This is really the high Andes. We reached the top and what a view. San Pedro de Atacama was visible down on the altiplano, to the south was the impressive ALMA radio telescope and far in the horizon the salt flats we visited yesterday. And all the peaks of the different volcanoes 50 kilometres, 100 kilometres and 200 kilometres away could be seen.
We did a lot of photos, had some much needed energy bars, some more photos and headed down. This is considerably easier than the ascent. Getting the technique for jumping down the loose gravel on the trail means that the ascent could be done in less than 45 minutes.
Then it was back in the car, and going from 5100 meters to 2400 meters in about an hour. We came back to the hostel and Malene was taking powernap #5 that day. We needed some food so we went to our local place for the Menu del dia, came back for a nap and then it was time to get ready for us leaving tomorrow.
Big dinner at a local place tonight recommended by our excellent guide. Not the most fancy food but big servings and honest food. Las Delicias de Carmen. We had good food - and plenty of it. Worth going there.
What a great day - again.
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| Early morning departure - again |
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| Morning desert |
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| Our peak in the horizon |
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| Breakfast at 4400 meters |
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| Walking slowly |
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| The way up |
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| Mikkel and Christian |
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| Passed 5300 meters and still able to breathe |
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| Nothing but a bit of ice |
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| Stunning view from the top |
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| The ALMA radio telescope |
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| A little more ice to cross on the way down |
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| 8 degrees when we left in the morning. Now close to 30 |
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| Must have food now |
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| Packing for departure tomorrow |
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| That looks like meat the has been beaten to death and battered. Two please! |
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| A BIG STEAK - and Jes |
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| A similar big escalope, its friend and tons of fries |
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| Beer at the only cerveceria in town |
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