Feb 24, 2012
We left Purmamarca, to cross el Paso de Lipan, the first time reach altitudes above 4100m. We chew a lot of coca leaves
to relieve the headache and foster the adaptation. This picture is taken in La Salina Grande, a salt dessert.
In Susques we stayed two days. It is a small mountain-village with dirt roads, some lithium-mining companies,
the oldest cemetary in south-america and a big carnival festival. It was hard to get to the people, we were
perceived with a lot of scepticism (not in a bad way, the people seemed more shy than angry). A lady had died two days ago.
She had been hit by a blizzard while cutting grass for her animals. We met an activist whos face we were not
allowed to film, because she was afraid for the security of her and her daughter.
In Jama, the last Argentinian town before the border to Chile we stayed two days. One day after we arrived, the road
behind us had been washed away by heavy rain. The truckers who came from Chile showed us pictures
on their phones of white roads and massive snow-falls. We had hard moments at night with snow, doubts if we could do it, doubt
about the altitude, the wind and the water (we had to carry water for two days, 10l per Person, from 4100m up to 4800m at a distance of 150 km)
At the day we left to cross the highest part of our trip, the wind cleaned the sky and allowed us a (almost)snow-free
crossing.
At this Laguna Flamingos enjoyed the view at least as much as we did.
While cycling we kept warm, but the moment we stopped the cold wind became heavy.
The first pass: 4815m. 50% of oxygen only.
Our first night at 4600m. We camped behind a road-work container, the only wind-shadow in 100km.
The night cooled down to minus 7 degrees.
Pasta with tuna has never been more delicious.
Heavy counter-wind. Exhausted
Gustavo with a happy red nose.
Mate and chocolate at 4830m.
Thank you for your support and interest!
Great!