Pampas

The Pampas tour starts of with a 3hr mission in the boot of yet another Toyota Land Cruiser to Santa Maria where you join the canoe and start heading up stream on the Yacuma river. On route to the canoe the driver suddenly hit the brakes and we all jumped out of the truck as somehow the guide had spotted a sloth chilling out in a tree.
Along the river bank were hundreds of alligators, turtles and even a few capybaras enjoying the sun. Further along the guide stopped the boat in the base of a large tree and started making animal noises when 3 monkeys appeared wanting bananas, and with enough courage to eat them out of your hands. Slightly further upstream was our camp on the riverside.After an epic dinner we headed back into the river for a night time alligator hunt as there eyes glow there pretty easy to spot!
Day 2 we went on a hunt for anacondas. The first one was dead but the 2nd was very much alive and about 3m long. Cayman and alligators where just chillin everywhere on the river banks, whilst Pampas condors, Stalks and eagles sat in the trees.
This was followed by Piranha fishing. However i spent most of the time just feeding them as they kept getting away. However the others caught a Catfish, 2 piranhas and a sardine.
Day 3 It was an early start to see the sun rise at 5.30, however only 1 other israeli got up to see it! This was followed by a Pink dolphin hunt though we only caught a brief glimpse as they broke the surface. To cool off we all went for a swim in the river RIGHT next to Pedro the alligator. But apparently its ok cos "Pedros all talk".

Pedro!

We then had to mission back 2 rurre to try and get a ticket out. As the run way is grass they shut the airport if it rains. Only a minor problem in the rain forest.

Jungle Time

A 3 hr boat ride out of Rurre we headed up stream into the Madidi National park rain forest to our camp. Unfortunately the rain forest was living up to its name and we arrived in the camp soaked to be greated by a lot of mud.
An afternoon walk into the jungle to find some wildlife, successful finds included wild pigs, a family of monkeys and a lot of spiders.

A night expedition revealed a lot of big spiders and other

bugs, including a very poisonous jumping spider that I was taking a picture of until our guide rugby tackled me out of its firing line, turns out they can kill you pretty quick!

We headed back into the jungle the following day and managed to track down a pair of forest chickens?! some Parrots and the largest snail EVER!

Another night hike revealed yet more supersized reptiles as we found a toad the size of your head!!

The final morning we went for one last hike into the jungle and managed to track down another family of wild pigs that walked straight past us, before we all jumped back in the boat and headed back down stream to Rurrenebaque.

Rurrenebaque

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz to Rurrenebaque

A few much needed chill out days were required and Santa Cruz in the sun was a perfect place to accomplish this. Hostel Jodanga with swimming pool and jacuzzi was a good base for the evenings antics aswell.

Realising I was at the wrong end of the country I had to fly back to La Paz and then onto Rurrenebaque a jungle town in the north of Bolivia.

To get to Rurre you must first however brave the 9 seater plane which isn’t to bad until you come to landing at the airfield. Which is little more than a field, with a bit mowed grass in the

middle of it.

Sucre

Potosi

Potosi to Sucre
A town based around the silver mines in the surrounding mountains. Once a thriving place has quitend down a lot. However it is still active enough to buy sticks of dynamite at every corner.

A 6 hr bus ride to Sucre was broken up with a brief bit of entertainment when a nappy wearing baby goat decided to jump on my lap.

Salt Flats Tour

Tupiza


Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Huayana Potosi 6088m

Situated just out side of La Paz the base of Huayana Potosi was only a couple of hours truck ride away so we started the afternoon off with a small acclimatisation hike from 4700m to the glacier, where the world’s poorest excuse for a mountain guide introduced the group to crampons and ice axes before trying to kill me with what turned out the be the most dangerous top rope set up possible.

Day 2 got off to a better start with a two hour hike to the 2nd camp of 5130m which marks the start of the glacier to the summit. On route however we had to stop off at the ¨office¨ to pay our 10 bolivianos, 90p, entrance fee.

The final day started at midnight and had us roped up into two groups to head up the remaining 958m to the summit. After an hour we had acquired a substantial lead over the other group so had to wait for them to catch up whilst getting colder and colder. Eventual they arrived and we had a third member of our group. Though 2 hours later he was starting to suffer and eventually gave up. So it was back to two of us to climb the final ridge to the top arriving at just after 6am.

A huge sense of relief was felt on finally making it to the top until we remember that “what goes up, must come down” and the worst part of it was we were walking it as there wasn’t a pair of skis in sight!!

So we set of back down the mountain picking up the rest of our group on route and finally arriving at base camp shortly after 3.30 for a well deserved beer.

Death Road

El Camino de la Muerte is a 43 mile long road North of La Paz leading to Coroico. It acquired its name as one side of the narrow dirt road is a sheer cliff in some places over 500m deep ending up in the rain forest below. So the 5 of us headed to the top of it by bus complete with downhill bikes!

At the top we donned are gear and grabbed a traditional Bolivian donut breakfast before setting off down the newer section of road. After passing through the Americans cocaine check point we joined the death road for our descent.

Starting slowly we quickly built up confidence cruising down the road, with occasional stops at crosses to see where previous riders had made the odd mistake!!

The road continued down crossing a river here and passing under a waterfall there until we arrived at the bottom of the road. 4 out of the 5 made it down intact, unfortunately Ian wasn’t as lucky and sustained ‘minor’ injuries.

La Paz

La Paz.

As I jumped on the bus it was hard to miss the large quantity of liquid draining from the engine bay however with very little Bolivianos left and no cash machine for 150km off to La Paz it was. Less than 2 hrs later the possible lack of break fluid was far from the biggest concern as we had arrived at the ferry port.
This was by far the most generous use of the word ferry I've ever seen. Luckily however we were all told to get off the bus and meet it on the other side. The bus then proceeded to drive onto a wooden raft with some sort of outward strapped to the back and set off.
Unsure of our fate we joined the queue of people eagerly waiting to clamber abroad a vessel, most likely used for transporting immigrants across the boarder in a previous life, to meet our bus on the other side.

Isla De Sol

An island within the lake that is said to be the birth place of the incas was next up. A very traditional island is still visible, having to wait for goats, cows and sheep to move down the path before you can get anywhere was common place, whilst you were equally as likely to have to share the beach with a few donkeys and pigs.
We took the boat to the northern end of the island before walking to the southern end the next day. Expecting a 4hr walk when we arrived in just over 2hrs we were slightly concerned we weren't in the right place. However the boat arrived and we were back in copacabana ready to head to la Paz.

BOLIVIA

Bolivia
Time to leave Peru and head to Bolivia. This involved a slightly unorthodox border crossing where the bus drops you off at immigration on the Peruvian side afterwhich you must walk across the border to Bolivian immigration before you meet the bus again. 1/2 hr later and were chilling in Copacabana, Bolivia.

A small semi seaside resort still on the shores of Lake Titicaca, there's not a great deal there but its definitely a nice change from Puno.

Lake Titicaca

We'd opted for a guided tour of the lake and a few off the islands with in it so we joined our group and boarded or barely swarthy vessel and headed towards the floating Uros islands made entirely of reads. Each island holds a a few families although if there's any disputes they just cut the islands in half and go join someone else's.

We then jumped back on the boat to head to Amanti island to stay with

a local family. We arrived at our house to meet the family and were greater my Maria 1 of 7 children, the mother and father and then Grandpa who turned out to be 100 and spent most of his days sleeping in random places. All meals were cooked over an open fire and mainly consisted of a lot of potatoes. A fiesta had been organised for the evening so we donned are ponchos and parties away to the panpipe band.Another early start and more pancakes before heading to isla tranquille for an explore before heading back to Puno.

Puno

Another joyful night bus and we were on our way to Puno. Our group of 4 had grown to 6 with the addition of Rachel and Annie the Americans. Once everyone has boarded the bus they then walk the bus videoing everyone on board so if the bus does crash they're able to identify people.

Puno is an interesting town, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, definitely not your average seaside town though. So we headed off into the market for fresh fruit smoothies costing about 20p a glass.

Inca Trail to Machu Pichu

Inca trek.

A 5am start had our group of 9 trekkers 2 chefs 2 guides and 10th porters in a bus to oloyamtabo and the start of the Inca trek. All loaded we set off, 30 seconds later and the porters had disappeared in front of us. The path weaved through the valley and passed a variety of inca ruins until we arrived for lunch. The porters had set up the kitchen and dining tent complete with table and chairs for our 3 course lunch.
The path continued on mainly flat till our first campsite, were yet again the porters had set up the kitchen, dining room our tents and even laid our beds out.
Day 2 and we were woken up with tea and coffee in bed before a pancake breakfast. The trek took a slightly trickier route as it climbed to around 4200m before hundreds of steps back down. The penultimate day passed through more inca ruins before ending up at Winaywama a huge terraced inca settlement complete with a freezing waterfall that doubled up as a very quick shower.Day 4 and by 3.30am we were all queing at the check point waiting for it to open at 5.30 for the final trek to the sungate. The first point that Machu Pichu becomes visible. Due to our slightly early arrival at the check point we were first onto the trail which gave us a clear path ahead to make it to the gate Opjust as the sun was about to hit Machu Pichu. Barely 5 mins later the cloud completely covered it making the run to the top entirely worth it. A final hrs walk and we were inside the ancient city.

Jose our guide then took us round Machu Pichu before leaving us to our own devices.

Still having a bit of energy left I opted to Queue up for 1 of 400 tickets to climb huayana pichu. And luckily I got ticket 334 and was good to go.


*TEXT MISSING*

All that was left to do was grab the bus down into Aguas Calientas before the train back into Cusco, with a small break in the middle for a few beers with our guide.

Cusco

16 hrs off busses after leaving Cobanaconda and we'd made it to Cusco.

A quick rendeavous in loki and 4 days of death started. Broken up by a day trip to Pisaq during the 6hrs no one was dieing.
Luckily though the morning of the inca trek we were back in the game. Mainly due to the sketchy chemicals found in Peruvian Fanta.

Colca Canyon

After saying good bye to the Germans the remaining 4 El Misti team head east towards the infamous Colca Canyon.


The lodge at Llahaur was amazing. Consisting of bamboo cabins built into the side of the canyon just above a set of hot springs. Perfect after a days hiking.

Day 2 started with a small detour up to some ruins of an old village in the complete wrong direction, however whilst sat having lunch two huge condors suddenly flew up from the valley below and started circling around above us.

We finished the day in the "eden" lodge were during dinner a scorpion decided to walk across the table!!

El MISTI

El Misti an Active Volcano at 5822m

The trek started by loading all our gear into what appeared to be a 40 yr old Land Cruiser before driving out into the desert in the direction of EL Misti.
45 minutes later and we turned off the road heading along a dirt track towards the base.

Starting at 3400m Roy our guide for the trip led the procession of the 6 of us aiming for the summit. The track weaved through small valleys that 2000 yrs ago were created by lava up to our first camp 4hrs later at 4700m.
After a quick dinner an early night was in order as at 2am we were back up again. We left camp after a cup of Coca tea around 2.45am.
Unfortunately not long after this our group halved in size down to 3 as the altitude was taking its tole.

We continued on up in the dark, around 5 am the sun started to rise of Pichu Pichu a mountain range next to us and we could then see the path and how far of it that was left in front of us. The terrain had changed from a dirt track on day 1 to a much steeper route picked through the rocks.

The altitude was again taking its tole on the remaining group but about 6hrs later we had made it to the Crater at 5600m.
From here you could see for 100´s of miles across Peru. But the Summit was insight!

Roy and myself left the remaining two at the crater as by this time they were both suffering and headed to the summit. The final 200m were by far the easiest and hardest at the same time, and as I raced up the final few metres to beat roy to the cross the air was getting super thin with about 55% less oxygen. As soon as a hand was on the cross i was sat on the floor for a much needed rest!

An amazing view from the top was deffinately worth the 6.5hrs trek.
Once the obligatorie photos and a snack had been consumed it was time to head back down to the camp and re join the rest of the group. What took so long to get up only took 35 mins to get back to by running down one of the lava gullys.

We packed up camp and headed down the hill to meet the truck again.

Arequipa

Arequipa is a town based at 2335m surrounded by mountains. These mountains were particulary important for the Inca beliefs and were regularly used to sacrifice children at the summits so as to protect the people who live aorund them

One of these children was foudn in mummified form that had been perfectly frozen for over 500yrs. Juanita the ice princess as shes known is kept in a glass fridge in a musuem in town so off i went to see her!

A tour of everything else found with her came before the momment where they actually show you the mummy.

A young girl with all her skin, teeth and hair still intact is sat staring at you from her glass case. A very bizarre feeling and one that nightmares are definately made off!!

Lunch after the musuem was an equally intersting affair as Marius had finally found a restaruarnt that served Guinea pig and Matius went for an Alpaca steak!!

I however stuck with a much safer local dish of potatoes and spicy sauce!!

Paracas and the Islas Ballestas

Pictures from the sand dunes as i put them in the wrong place!!

An early start had us heading to Paracas for a boat trip to whats affectionately known as "the poor mans Galapagos" or the Islas Ballestas.

The islands are the home of thousands, if not millions of birds from Pelicans & Peruvian Boobies to Penguins and is an amazing yet smelly sight to see. Once every 5 years all the islands are cleared of Guano and its sold to people who are willing to pay 50c a kilo for this apparantly world renowned fertiliser.

Amongst the birds theres also a very large population of male sea lions, that during are visit were chilling on the beach, whilst all the females were perched on rocks around the islands. Our tour guide at this point wanted to make sure that we were aware of there sexuality; "The males are not gay....................they just like to hang out together"

I then headed off back to Ica to buy a bus ticket and feeling adventurous on my return I opted for a 3 wheeled taxi that when heading up the sand dune stopped!!! I offered to get out and help push but it started up again and we crawled to the top of the dune before he turned the engine off as we coasted all the way back into Huacachina!

PERU. Lima to Huacachina

Not quite Skiing but still.....................................

First stop in Peru was Pedro´s Family backpackers in Lima, an awesome hostel and after findign the supermarket for breakfast Pedro gave a 4 of us a crash course in Spanish.
Starting off with numbers and whats your name we moved onto the trickier stuff like when does the bus leave and ¿why is the beer so expensive? How to paint a lampost Peruvian Style!

Armed with the essentials our tri-nation group of travellers headed into central Lima in search of the ancient catacombs at The San Francisco Church. After a tour of the main church we headed underground into the main tombs, to be greated with open grave after open grave of bones. All laid out next to each other. Skulls were used to decorate the walls as well as in the patterns created by leg and arm bones. A particularly bizare experience to be wondering around the tombs of over 200 people but an interesting one none theless.

The plan for day 3 was to head down to the coast at Miraflores, however on arrival at the coast the beach was at the base off a large cliff and didnt look as appealing as first anticipated so it was back to the hostel to catch a bus south with the Germans, Markus & Matius and Emily the ozzi to Ica, followed by a taxi to Huacachina.

Sat in the taxi driving throught the desert we were all wondering how much further it was going to be we came over a sand dune to see a small town built around a natural oasis.

Dune Buggys were deffinately in order so the 4 of us piled into the back of a ¿buggy? mainly consisting of an engine and 5 seats attached to some wheels an flew off into the desert for a spot of sand boarding before heading to the highest dune to watch the Sunset.

Back in town it was happy hour so it would have been rude not to try the local beveridge, "Pisco Sours" made from Pisco brandy, lime sugar and whisked egg white. At a first glance it may not seem to appealing but the slide down very easily!!!

GSY to Paris by bike..........and kind of back!

SO Happy Hour at the Yacht Club, and after a few ciders the plans for the next week of work were discussed.

".............We could always cycle to the Eiffel Tower and back"

And that was that...............Ferry Booked, Bikes packed and 48 hrs later we're back in the GYC ordering a last pre-ride beer!

A mere mile later and were on the ferry to St Malo. Arriving in France a few hours later we headed off in a general eastwards direction into a beastly headwind.

We kept on putting a good dent in the journey before settling in for the night in a farmer’s field with a nice bottle of French Vino!

The following day we managed to detour fr0m the vague route description we had and found ourselves in the middle of somewhere and 70 miles after leaving St Malo we decided it was time to buy a map and get ourselves back on track.

The following few days were a mixture of ups and more ups and a few downs, 7 blown inner tubes, a snapped spoke which somehow happened outside a bike shop. Unfortunately this shop was shut for another 2 hrs. As well as a broken helmet and set of Panniers to add to the list!

HOWEVER......... 263.6 miles after leaving the GYC we were sat underneath the Eiffel Tower.

After a night out in Paris courtesy of Joseph it was time to jump on a train to Rennes and head back at a more leisurely pace!

A quick stop at a Decathlon and the supermarket for some cake we were back on track for the last 10km to the ferry. Until Ben decided to get hit by a car, with less than an hour before the ferry was departing we were now a bike down. A last minute dash around the car park and I’d sourced us a lift with a Gypsy Priest to take us to the ferry port, and he didn’t even try and convert us!

326.9 miles later and that beer in the Yacht Club had never tasted so good!!

MALLORY PORTER

Over 1000m of vertical ascent up the North face of the Aigiulle du Midi! And the final route of the season!!!

With a guide book time of between 3 and 6 1/2 hrs when we reached that top cable car station in just under 4hrs it was deffinately a relief!

Soft snow made the start a slow process from the mid station though as we gained altitude the snow hardened up which sped up progress.

As the temperature increased the snow started to soften rapidly leading to a very large avi slide around lunch time! As we hid behind a rock waiting for it to pass it seemed a suitable time for some food! The final ascent up the snow slope below the cable car before passing under the huge bergshcrund joining the bottom of the midi arete was finished with a last photo opportunity before heading back into town for beers!!!

The Cheesery!

The Cheserys, above Col du Montets has some nice big multi pitch routes so we thought we'd head up and check it out.

The walk in is a 45min bushwack through the shrub upto the the crag. Though there was a chance to make some new friends on the way up!
At the base of the route it would be recommended not to leave bags/food/maps at a level that a craft mountain goats can get to!! They especially like Maps of the sourrounding area but not fig rolls apparantly!

The 3rd pitch is still a little wet with some running water pretty much flowing down the line of bolts.

watch out for some of the bolt hangers too! Most of them require a tighten before you clip in!! especially the abseil hangers!!!

Italy........ but NO PIZZA!

ROAD TRIP!! All loaded up in the van we headed through the Mt B tunnel to Italy. First stop was at La Thuile to climb at "Palestra Alpina" a loose rocked area with loads off rock fall and all in all pretty sketchy. So probably not recommended!
Palestra Hans Marguerettaz was stop 2! WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Solid rock, nice lines and HUGE multipitches.
Day 2

1st stop Levergone, after you walk past the "crack den" look alike entrance it opens up into a nice little spot. Good rock with a variety of routes, big pockets, slab routes and even sum crimpy 8b's!
After a 2 hr detour looking for pizza we failed and went for a sandwhich instead!

La Ravoire was the final stop of the trip. High up on hill with some epic views down into the valley exposure can feel high. All pretty narly routes round the side. But some chilled climbing in the car park!