The Aconcagua

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We're taking a tour into the Andes to try to glimpse Aconcagua - the tallest mountain in the world, after Mt. Everest, at 7021 meters. The bus picks us up at the hotel and we're off.

The drive is a real lesson in geology and geography. The skies are fascinating as well. I even catch sight of a guanaco, related to the camel but without the hump. I thought it was a llama. Our group is international and the guide, Julio is off to Florida next week to work in tourism. The driver, Mario, is a professor in his real life (or so we are told).

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Photos

The new reservoir and the canyons
A town was relocated to provide the land for the new reservoir. The river that feeds it is running wild this late in the summer (it's their August south of the equator).

The new reservoir and the canyons
A town was relocated to provide the land for the new reservoir. The river that feeds it is running wild this late in the summer (it\'s their August south of the equator).

The new reservoir and the canyons
A town was relocated to provide the land for the new reservoir. The river that feeds it is running wild this late in the summer (it\\\'s their August south of the equator).

The winding road
As we climb the canyon to Aconcagua, we are told the story of the crazy englishman who built the railroad. Of course it took longer and had many more problems than anticipated.
The company went bankrupt in 1978 and the line is abandoned now. It looks like it would make a great hiking trail - at least where the mountain have not reclaimed the bed with slides.
There is a wonderful, log cabin camping stop about an hour outside of Coria to use as a jumping-off spot.

The winding road
As we climb the canyon to Aconcagua, we are told the story of the crazy englishman who built the railroad. Of course it took longer and had many more problems than anticipated.
The company went bankrupt in 1978 and the line is abandoned now. It looks like it would make a great hiking trail - at least where the mountain have not reclaimed the bed with slides.
There is a wonderful, log cabin camping stop about an hour outside of Coria to use as a jumping-off spot.

The winding road
As we climb the canyon to Aconcagua, we are told the story of the crazy englishman who built the railroad. Of course it took longer and had many more problems than anticipated.
The company went bankrupt in 1978 and the line is abandoned now. It looks like it would make a great hiking trail - at least where the mountain have not reclaimed the bed with slides.
There is a wonderful, log cabin camping stop about an hour outside of Coria to use as a jumping-off spot.

The winding road
As we climb the canyon to Aconcagua, we are told the story of the crazy englishman who built the railroad. Of course it took longer and had many more problems than anticipated.
The company went bankrupt in 1978 and the line is abandoned now. It looks like it would make a great hiking trail - at least where the mountain have not reclaimed the bed with slides.
There is a wonderful, log cabin camping stop about an hour outside of Coria to use as a jumping-off spot.

The winding road
As we climb the canyon to Aconcagua, we are told the story of the crazy englishman who built the railroad. Of course it took longer and had many more problems than anticipated.
The company went bankrupt in 1978 and the line is abandoned now. It looks like it would make a great hiking trail - at least where the mountain have not reclaimed the bed with slides.
There is a wonderful, log cabin camping stop about an hour outside of Coria to use as a jumping-off spot.

Aconcagua
In the clouds.

Aconcagua
At the top, in Chile and Argentina. The road was one I might hesitate to negotiate in a four-wheel drive vehicle. But, not only did our smaller van ascend, but we were passed by full-sized buses. Talk about a leap of faith.

Aconcagua
At the top.

Aconcagua
Christo Redentor, erected by Chile and Argentina 100 years ago at 14,000 feet. We are breathless with the sites and lack of oxygen. Julio warns us not to run around for fear of one of us requiring medical attention!

Aconcagua
The four of us.

Aconcagua
The road up is the road down.

Aconcagua
The road up is the road down.