We thought going to the beaches Chile but, as always, wanted to add some adventure to your trip, so we plan to cross the Andes 4.700 meters. Some of adventure! We chose the international way Sewage, one of the highest in Latin. This took us straight to the Chilean city of Coquimbo, where we would stay several days.
Gendarmerie in Argentina we asked several questions to make sure we were ready to cross: enough fuel, spare tire, coats etc. The road is only open a few hours a day in summer and not only cross daily 15 the 20 People. The position of police in Chile is more than 250 miles away and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, in the middle rather than stone, very stony. We left and the road began to rise.
This route was one of those chosen by the army of General San Martin when he crossed the Andes to seek freedom for Chile during the wars of independence
In part he had chosen this route because it was one of those chosen by the army of General San Martin when he crossed the Andes to seek freedom for Chile during the wars of independence. It seemed incredible that they could have explored on horse and mule carrying rations for several days, ammunition and even guns. The road, still, has steep, is long, cold and very narrow. What you have been at that time!
As we moved increased the number of patches of ice and, even though we were in summer, began falling snowflakes fine. My GPS was explaining the reason: were nearly 4.000 meters. From there, the road crossed several fields of ice formations resembling people with white pointed hoods, similar to those that still are used in various religious festivals in Spain. Therefore, these formations are called "Penitents". As we passed through them my wife was watching with concern how the truck threw more and more white smoke. I did not want her nervous, but also noticed that the engine lost power. What once was in third gear had to be reduced to second and then first. The height also raged in us, suffered a terrible headache. All these effects are due to the altitude and are known as "altitude sickness", because they suffer the same as the height of the Puna de Atacama.
A cross in the port indicated the 4.753 meters high and told us that since we entered Chile. We followed the same road that the soldiers of St. Martin
Soon we met another car coming the other way. Despite how hard to come across a road so narrow, along a cliff, I was glad to see someone come across. Meant the road was passable on the Chilean side.
Luckily, soon after we reached the highest point. A cross in the port indicated the 4.753 meters high and told us that since we entered Chile. We followed the same path that San Martin's soldiers who, at this altitude, one who knows what conditions were. The great thing was that the mountains were amazing colors. Watching those golden ocher and remembered, in those hills, was increased mining copper and gold, with the sad ecological cost that implies. What a shame!
From that point the road began to decline, but it also involves risks. Be very careful when descending 4.000 meters! This should be done with the engine braking, because there is no brake pads to withstand such a decline.
Watching those golden ocher and remembered, in those hills, was increased mining copper and gold, with the sad ecological cost that implies
Finally, after much bustle, reached the village of Vicuña, known for the purity of heaven that there were five observatories were installed. But that's a story for another article ...
After several days on the beach we had to undertake a return to Argentina for what, obviously, had to return across the mountains. We selected the busiest step of the Andes: the Uspallata Pass, que une Santiago de Chile with Mendoza. Years ago a tunnel was built, drilled into the mountain to 3.300, managed to reduce the height of the crossing and minimize the amount of days that the route is closed by snow. The path is lined with old abandoned railway shelters, eyewitnesses that linked the two cities locomotives by this dangerous road. Now, hundreds of trucks weaving through the mountains show that the load has chosen a different means of transport.
The path is lined with old abandoned railway shelters, eyewitnesses that linked the two cities locomotives
Before the construction of the tunnel came over to port of Christ the Redeemer a 4.000 meters. There, in 1835, had passed the then young naturalist Charles Darwin. His diary mentioned having found marine fossils high in the mountains and that's what I wanted to find.
After a rise in the curves inclinadísima of rushes and pass through the tunnel juncadillo Chilean and continue on the path 7 Argentina. He knew this road as seen from the air each time flying Santiago. The Aconcagua, the top of America, it monitors, as indicated by its name, which means "stone sentinel". Just passing by crossing the path that leads astray was decided that monster. We parked and continued on foot. We met a ranger who asked if he had fossils in the area. "Of course - I said - following the path of the mules pass next to a stone with fossils embedded." The mules carrying supplies passing the camp of mountaineers, as he tells the climbers in South America. Behind them were.
He had been with this finding marine fossils in the mountains that Darwin discovered that they had high, through successive earthquakes, from the bottom of the Pacific
Near the Lake of the Horcones found a lone duck crest, species that only lives in high mountain lakes, and near the stone was much sought. There was a mark of conch. Almost inexplicably because my gps marked 3.700 meters above sea level!
As we returned to our van had been reminded that this discovery of marine fossils in the mountains that Darwin discovered that they had high, through successive earthquakes, from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Detour was worth it. Started the engine and take this journey together with the thousands of Argentine tourists returning from holiday in Chile's beaches. We passed the stone sentinel, marine fossils and the penitents. Leaving behind the mountains to return to the pampas of Argentina.
Sigue a Gerald Bartholomew on Twitter at @ gerbartolome
