~~NOTOC~~ {{tag>chile 2016}} /*[{{/2016/thispage/title.jpg?192x192&noshowtitle&noshowname }}]*/
14 May 2016
~~META:date created = 2016-05-14~~ ~~META:date modified = 2016-05-14~~
Chile 2016
= Altos de Lircay: Piedras Blancas Saturday morning, I fetch my rental car and drive Ruta 5 in northern direction. In Talca, I have to turn right and drive through San Clemente, to finally reach the village of Vilches Alto after a few kilometres of gravel road. == /**/ {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:gpx:20160514-altos-de-lircay.png}} Download GPX file: {{:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:gpx:20160514-altos-de-lircay.gpx|}} Some impressions while driving... {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-114411.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-114420_1.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-131322.jpg}} I find accomodation at Don Tito's, who runs one of the few guest houses that are still open after season. And then I'm off to have a look at Piedras Blancas. {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-144059.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-145901.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-150003.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-150843.jpg}} On the way, there is an archaeological site, where they found arrowheads and small parts of ceramics made by a hunter-and-gatherer society. {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-150927.jpg}} Directly afterwards, I enter a (probably still uncharted) sector of a large boulder area. It sports nicely rounded, but very grippy granite rocks. In the picture, you can see an easy boulder (Fb 3) which I climb wearing hiking boots. I call it "Rinoceronte". {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-151134-fb3.jpg}} Also nice, the Piedra del Mono: {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-152556.jpg}} Two goat herders with their goats in the rain: {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-153036.jpg}} By the way, at some point, torrential rains start, and I meet many hikers fleeing in the opposite direction. But I want to see the piedras, and continue on my path... {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-154608.jpg}} Vegetation getting more sparse: {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-161502.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-161629_1.jpg}} As everywhere in the mountains, cairns mark the way: {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-162112.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-163437.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-163442.jpg}} Clouds clear off, and I get to see a bit of the surroundings: {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-165420.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-165532.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-165536.jpg}} An exposed boulder marks the end of my hike today. I rest shortly to take some pictures, but it's too windy, wet and cold to eat. {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-165553.jpg}} {{gallery>:blog:2016:chile-blog:20160514:20160514-165737.jpg}}