Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bolivia - Dispatch #17

Bolivia Trek and Climbing Program May 29-June 19, 2010

Guides: Danny Uhlmann, Alasdair Turner, and Juan Churra

Climbers: Danny Griffith (Bellingham, WA), Alfred Kwok (Claremont, CA), Diccon Westworth (Sacramento, CA), Jim Bonadonna (Poughkeepsie, NY), Raymond Gregory (Marquette, MI), Nancy Burke (Dallas, TX), and Margen Burke-Karr (Missouri City, TX)

Danny wrote Tuesday, June 15th at 10 am Pacific time with the following dispatch:

“Right now we’re at the base camp of Illimani at 15,000 ft. We started out the day early and were dropped off at the village of Tinaya. Tinaya is not like the city – it consists of mostly farmland, where the people grow potatoes and corn. At this elevation, the land here is dusty, rugged, and used, which is quite the opposite of the lush, lower jungles beyond Illimani.

It turns out Juan lives nearby, so we had lunch with him and his family at his house. After that, we started our journey as the massive Illimani loomed over us. We saw a lenticular cloud as well, which came from the stable moist air flowing over the mountain. It took us only two and a half hours to get here, but we have about another 6,000 feet to go. The city lights of La Paz will be visible tonight from where we are. Tomorrow, we head out to a high camp. I’ll call again tomorrow.”

-Danny

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