TYPE OVERNIGHT STOP MAP IN SEARCH BOX TO VIEW, OR ANY OTHER REQUESTS
5/9/2013 San Pedro De Atacama to an estacionamiento 33km up the range
D33,T5.5, Av7.49, Max39, Tot18480, 9319
Clear, hot cool evening
It was a slow process packing to leave. So much extra food and water had to be packed. There were can of sardines and tuna to be randomly packed in different panniers.
Oranges, and biscuits got the same treatment. It was a squeeze in my already full panniers.
Nine litres of water was loaded.
I boiled rice the night before to be reheated over two meals.
Kurt and Loic saw me off, they couldn’t believe the weight I was carrying, it must have been close to 70kg.
They were carrying minimal gear, Loic had a one man tent. I guess I like having a few reminders of a previous life of plenty.
You know, good shampoo, comfy street shoes, clothing for going out, roomy tent, fry pan, tarp, Plenty of books, and other little comfort items.
I finally got away about 1000.
From the hostal it wasa short ride to immigration for my Chile exit stamp.
It was about 12km to the foot of the range.
I felt good though a little dehydrated. A truck on the road was stopped he gave me water and added it was from Paraquay.
Then the climb began. Shit, I had some weight, fortunately I had plenty of food and importantly time.
My speed got as low as 5km/hr.
It is very hard to ride straight at this speed my course was that of a drunk cyclist.
It was hot and sweat was being generated, first time for months.
Many trucks carrying cars use this road to Argentina. Other trucks loaded coming down this climb were moving incredibly slow just to hold a safe speed.
There were safety ramps constructed of loose gravel at regular intervals.
The scenery back to San Pedro was that of a huge flat valley between a plateau and the range I was climbing.
To my left and north were two snow streaked mountains, on the clear day they were an inspirational sight.
Soon there was snow accumulated on the shady side of the road cuttings.
Kurt had given me a heap of music, this was great listening on the ride.
Near about 1600 I was getting serious wasted, a feeling not experienced since Cajas in Ecuador in the cold up there.
Balancing the bike when stopping and starting got dodgey, Know the signs I was getting to my limits here.
I needed to stop and find a camp.
A ramp was checked but I had visions of a brakeless truck finding me in the middle of the night, no thanks.
I soon came to an estacionamiento or parking area and found a spot away but still visible from the road.
It was on an old track.
The early evening was still bathed in sun as it dropped over the plateau behind San Pedro.
Dinner was hot rice and curry, a nice change, with this 3 cups of coffee and chocolate were enjoyed.
Though San Pedro De Atacama had attractions like many other places visited. My desire to visit these is not strong unless they are super special.
I find a certain kind of intimateness with all around me while cycling. Things like lizards scurrying across the sand, every breath of the wind, the varying degrees of the sun, close encounters with llamas coupled with my own energy both physically and mentally propelling me, all be it, at times, everso slowly along the road.
For the last couple of months here in these altitudes the sun has become such a life giver, warming me in the morning and telling me it is time to find a camp as it begins calling it a day, about 1530.
This special sense of place whilst cycling seems to leave me totally satisfied in all ways, spiritually, physically and mentally.
Pulling in last night. Setting up camp was done slowly, without burden, the environment around me was soaked up as I did it. That first coffee was indescribably divine. The sweet biscuits felt the same.
My second cup was hot chocolate. Walking around my camp, I took time to watch the last sun light bath the mountains in an orange light.
All the days hardship melted away. This existence feels so right at this time. I keep thinking of all the days later in my life where I will be so happy just sitting about alone and with friends doing nothing, occasionally reflecting on these days and the hardships faced.
I’m sure a warmness will envelope my being at these times. As it does right now after such a hard day.
Retreating to bed, I started reading the short history of the US, more weight but a good read.
The site had a nice slope so my head was elevated. Sleep came rapidly.
D33,T5.5, Av7.49, Max39, Tot18480, 9319
Clear, hot cool evening
It was a slow process packing to leave. So much extra food and water had to be packed. There were can of sardines and tuna to be randomly packed in different panniers.
Oranges, and biscuits got the same treatment. It was a squeeze in my already full panniers.
Nine litres of water was loaded.
I boiled rice the night before to be reheated over two meals.
Kurt and Loic saw me off, they couldn’t believe the weight I was carrying, it must have been close to 70kg.
They were carrying minimal gear, Loic had a one man tent. I guess I like having a few reminders of a previous life of plenty.
You know, good shampoo, comfy street shoes, clothing for going out, roomy tent, fry pan, tarp, Plenty of books, and other little comfort items.
I finally got away about 1000.
From the hostal it wasa short ride to immigration for my Chile exit stamp.
It was about 12km to the foot of the range.
I felt good though a little dehydrated. A truck on the road was stopped he gave me water and added it was from Paraquay.
Then the climb began. Shit, I had some weight, fortunately I had plenty of food and importantly time.
My speed got as low as 5km/hr.
It is very hard to ride straight at this speed my course was that of a drunk cyclist.
It was hot and sweat was being generated, first time for months.
Many trucks carrying cars use this road to Argentina. Other trucks loaded coming down this climb were moving incredibly slow just to hold a safe speed.
There were safety ramps constructed of loose gravel at regular intervals.
The scenery back to San Pedro was that of a huge flat valley between a plateau and the range I was climbing.
To my left and north were two snow streaked mountains, on the clear day they were an inspirational sight.
Soon there was snow accumulated on the shady side of the road cuttings.
Kurt had given me a heap of music, this was great listening on the ride.
Near about 1600 I was getting serious wasted, a feeling not experienced since Cajas in Ecuador in the cold up there.
Balancing the bike when stopping and starting got dodgey, Know the signs I was getting to my limits here.
I needed to stop and find a camp.
A ramp was checked but I had visions of a brakeless truck finding me in the middle of the night, no thanks.
I soon came to an estacionamiento or parking area and found a spot away but still visible from the road.
It was on an old track.
The early evening was still bathed in sun as it dropped over the plateau behind San Pedro.
Dinner was hot rice and curry, a nice change, with this 3 cups of coffee and chocolate were enjoyed.
Though San Pedro De Atacama had attractions like many other places visited. My desire to visit these is not strong unless they are super special.
I find a certain kind of intimateness with all around me while cycling. Things like lizards scurrying across the sand, every breath of the wind, the varying degrees of the sun, close encounters with llamas coupled with my own energy both physically and mentally propelling me, all be it, at times, everso slowly along the road.
For the last couple of months here in these altitudes the sun has become such a life giver, warming me in the morning and telling me it is time to find a camp as it begins calling it a day, about 1530.
This special sense of place whilst cycling seems to leave me totally satisfied in all ways, spiritually, physically and mentally.
Pulling in last night. Setting up camp was done slowly, without burden, the environment around me was soaked up as I did it. That first coffee was indescribably divine. The sweet biscuits felt the same.
My second cup was hot chocolate. Walking around my camp, I took time to watch the last sun light bath the mountains in an orange light.
All the days hardship melted away. This existence feels so right at this time. I keep thinking of all the days later in my life where I will be so happy just sitting about alone and with friends doing nothing, occasionally reflecting on these days and the hardships faced.
I’m sure a warmness will envelope my being at these times. As it does right now after such a hard day.
Retreating to bed, I started reading the short history of the US, more weight but a good read.
The site had a nice slope so my head was elevated. Sleep came rapidly.
Grasses heavily grazed by Vicuña and Llama
little critters are easily observed at 5km/hr, they to lighted the burden.
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still looking back to San Pedro after most of the day
Happy to be pulled in for the night, this erosion barrier was about as good as shelter to be found.
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