Well the last bus was late by two hours. Now we are two buses away from the entrance of the park... We are dieing to swet and work in the vertical world.
To my family... Love you and thanks for the support!
Chow!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Eve before Christmas
Eve before Christmas
So two nights ago Amy and I had an amazing experience with the locals. After the 20 minute bus ride which was actually a 45 minute ride to a zoo of a city with one ATM and a line that would run around the corner... A waiter that hated us and some exhausted sleeping on a bus and we we were back en la Playa before dark. Time for some music. The restaurants around here blast music from all directions... The whole trip I have been waiting for this moment.... LIVE MUSIC!!!
We got a map... Not a clue where we are going... Not a post with a sign in sight...
We make it not a hundred yards from the front door when the constant drumming noise we have been hearing is discovered. A massive drum circle with a beat that can only be describe as "BOOM!" is taking place. Drums the size of wine barrels in a variety of shapes are creating a storm. Ten to fifteen drummers setting the mood. The locals- swinging... Dancing, stomping. Dust from the feet and yells of excitement come from all directions.
Well, it didn't take Long for Amy and I to catch the rhythm. Right in the middle of the road. Cars would creep by with only smiles, mopeds would drop into first gear. All natural and wild excitement took place. The sound and setting was perfecto!
"Lo quieras?" One of the drummers asks some of the people.
"Lo quieras?"
"Si, si, si" I say.
Not an idea what to do, but who hasn't pounded on a bucket or made music in the kitchen with utensils. The guy setting the beat had a mondo drum! I tried following his rhythm and they didn't care. But one guy caught on.... And I was Booted! This old man took the drum from me. He started pounding it with such ferocity and rhyme that the whole circle followed his beat.
They then started to fall into line...
Then the rhythm took of... They nailed it!!!
Feet stomping and filing together they began to march up the road... Unreal!
That was only the beginning...
We had the treasure map to the local bands location...
"Is this the right way? Lets try this road? Where is a damn street sign? Check out that VW Bus! Whoa it's getting dark. This hill is steep! "
Este Central Avenida ?
"Si!"
La musica?
"Si!" as she flys by on her bike.
We must be getting close!
Oh yeah, you can hear the noise.
The place is packed with locals. A tiny little stage and Boom... The band begins to play. Look at that timing. We are jammin' once more. The band is great and everyone was loving it. As we looked around we started to realize all the drummers from before were there... It was awesome!
Yeah... We got funny looks for being in the middle of the crowd, among a group of close neighboring friends. Not understanding what was being completely sung was also amusing. But the music was local, classic, flowed, ripped and made everything feel alright.
Nothing but friends and acquaintances were made that night.
Luckily the way home was down hill and the wind along the coast was at our backs.... A wild night and and thus far a wild trip thru Punta del Diablo! Jeezzz these people stay up late... I think it's the heat during the day.
...Well it's Christmas Eve and the weather is sweet. To all of Our Family and Friends... We would like to say, We Love You and wish many bloated bellies and smiles over the holiday. Many beers clashed, corks popped and loved passed around. The days are counting down for the main part of the trip to began. From hiking loads in, to swinging on ropes, to feasting on the shoulders of a Giant and seeing how far the spit can fly from the wall. Pretty excited to drag a massive haulbag in tow, in the vertical world and sea of granite.
Merry Christmas and Thank You for the Support in so many ways.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Day four en la Playa
Day four en la playa
So I have finally figured out that the sun rises over the ocean, which is compass East. No mountains in the way, just a straight blast of heat!Pretty wild. Growing up in a town on the coast I found mornings to be more pleasant at the beach, where as here- late... late in the evening is best. The sun is much more gentle then. The girls and I are fully cooked lobsters currently. Luckily, la casa has a giant aloe plant.
I'm starting to get un poco gordo porque la comida y cerveza. The hands are starting to peel and molt from lack of use. Picking up seashells is more fun than the idea of bouldering. Secret beaches feel as if they are around every bend. The other day a man was 50yrds out with water only up to his knees... Made me think of sharks. Then of course Amy's Mom had a story about that situation, which we won't go into details about... Last night we wandered the roads enjoying the night- life with the locals. I couldn't resist the soccer ball being passed around in the street. The sandals came off and I gave it my best. The kid was fast, tricky and good. He megged me four times. Seeing that he had a smaller stance I was already at a disadvantage... I had zero. We played what felt like hours, but I'm sure it was probably twenty minutes. Not too bad for not moving faster than a walking speed for the last seven years. It was fun to teach him some tricks and technique, even though he destroyed me. Every time he megged me, we could hear his father, friends, my girlfriend, her family and people on the porches of the restaurants cheer... Avoiding the mopeds was a constant issue. The tourists were a whole other obstacle, as well as the broken bricks, uneven dirt and yes, even the feral dogs... It was great! I think I have broken seashell in my big toe...
Well it's early in the morning and we have to catch a twenty minute bus ride to the next town. We have to find an ATM and seek out Internet to send this off.
Hope all is well state side... And I gotta get this thing out of my toe
"Amy where are the tweezers?"
La Casa en la Playa
La casa en la playa
After hours of flight and transfers to other planes, bus to bus and dragging some giant bags around we are finally in Uruguay. The owner of the Hostel failed to return our phone calls upon arrival so we did what any sane person would do... We found a bar! While sitting there enjoying our drinks a gentlemen approached us and offered a deal...
He said "Tengo un casa en la playa para acquired"
Un casa en la playa? Si?
So we looked it over-
Stove works, shower runs, sink drains, five beds for 4, equipped with dishes, neighbor lighting fire crackers at all hours, feral cats and dogs roaming the roads, fridge works- makes a weird noise though, a little dusty, a little musty... a little air fresher will clean that up... Gotta buy some Raid. Ocean sounds all day through the windows, Uruguayan hippies with dreadlocks surfin' the sea, fresh fish, bathroom sink wont stop running, grass in the sand, ocean water on the grass... Rock climbing 50yards from our porch, water landing, billions of seashells to choose from, thunderous booms of lighting at 3:00am, wild winds, pounding rain, flooding kitchen while making eggs, more rain, the sun breaks, mild sunburn, shirtless weather, can't believe there are hippies here.
So here I sit on our porch at "Punta del Diablo", a small town with small houses and friendly locals. The beer you buy by the liter, the food is greasy, trinkets and bamboo wind -chimes line the docks. Necklaces with shells and fish spines hang on display, local wood is cut and plained for construction of beach homes, thatched roofs, no ATM's, dogs will greet you... Shoo them away, cats will follow you... Don't be afraid to bark at them. Food is cheap, the weather is great, life is much slower, don't get hit by the mopeds, enjoy the smells of the ocean and food, eat before the shops go for siesta, buy the beers in large quantities.... Because it won't last, sit on the beach, climb some rocks, sun bathe, make friends, don't pet the dogs, and enjoy life at Punta Del Diablo!
As the locals say..... CHOW!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
We have landed in Buenos Aires
Woooo this place moves fast! Look both ways before crossing the street, then look again. We are here for a day then to Uruguay for a week to spend the holidays on the beach. Then the hell of humping 300lbs of equipment Under the Towers.
Looking forward to it!
Looking forward to it!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Time to Fly!
We just got through airport security...3 haulbags, a 100 lb duffle, and carry-ons full of gear! TSA guys had a blast pulling out each cam and sling. But, here we sit, about to take flight. Just wanted to thank everyone for all your support with this trip! We couldn't have dreamed of this opportunity without you;) we'll keep you posted-
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Gettin' Ready- Torres del Paine
Ohh Man , here we go! The bags are
packed and the clock is counting down. We, for last month or so, have
been sewing haulbags, repairing tents, altering bivies, and doing a
whole lot of duck taping. The preparation for this trip has not been
easy- paper work had to be filed, topos gathered and problems had to
be solved. The weight, size and overall dimensions of the bags for
traveling internationally were a constant burden, and figuring out
what goes, what doesn't, what are we forgetting and what have we
brought too much of has spun through our minds for the last two
months. We have had to modify equipment, replace our scuzzy cameras,
upgrade from the old to the new, always with the knowledge that
forgetting one little detail could affect so much of our trip.
Here are some important details
about just getting started, if you think you are going to “Taste
the Paine”.
- Join the American Alpine Club- http://www.americanalpineclub.org/p/salesBy joining the AAC you our given rescuers insurance, which is mandatory to enter/ climb in Torres del Paine National Park. It is also a great community to be apart of.
- Check out Erratic Rock's website- they are the local Hostel and Guide Service. On their website they have a step by step process which needs to be followed for receiving your climbing permit. http://www.erraticrock.com/information/information-articles-1/torres-del-paine-climbing-permits/
- DIFROL (Dirrección de Fronteras y Limites del Estado) –This is the “Pre Permit” to getting the ball rolling. Fill it out!
- Booking your flights- While you seek out your ticket, it is extremely important that you look into the Baggage Fees, Weight limits and Size Limits. To go big walling in Torres del Paine, you need a lot of things, of all different shapes and sizes. It can get quite pricy as well as frustrating. Check with your airlines on the dimensions allowed for a cylindrical bag (haulbag) since it is not the standard rectangular size. You are allowed to bring the climbing rack as carry-on. Leave drill bits, piton and hammers in checked baggage.
- The two main international destinations from the US are Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile. Many visitors to the far south, such as Torres del Paine, chose a domestic flight to Punta Arenas or Rio Gallegos. One thing to consider if planning a big trip with lots of baggage, is that you will get charged again for your excess weight...in our case about $500. So, we opted for a 2 day bus ride.
- Be cognizant of where you are going: South America's seasons are reverse of those in the USA, winter is summer, fall is spring, etc. Pesos are used, and it's good to know the exchange rate before you arrive http://www.exchangerate.com/. Spanish is spoken (very different from the Spanish spoken in Mexico).
- Also, be sure to prepare for some fierce weather...the Torres del Paine National Park temps online say between 40-60F, but that is considered without wind (which could reach 100 mph) and the wet. If planning on traveling around Chile or Argentina during your stay, the variations between temperature can be quite vast because of the large land masses of the countries. San Pedro de Atacama, for example, could be in the 100's while Torres are in the 30's!
- Many of the items you will need during your stay can be found in Puerto Natales: internet, skype cafes to call home, good assortment of food, etc. However, bring all of your own climbing and hiking gear, as it can be very expensive to buy/rent down south.
Here are some pictures of the haulbags that we had to create for the up coming expedition as well as the packing nightmare. A simple layout of 2 inch webbing gets the ball rolling
Making a mess!
2 inch webbing all stitched up
If you look at the Walking Axe on the Duffel Bag we have made a bolt-on Dead-man Anchor to use the axe as a shovel or trenching tool
Bottom of the Bag... Clean!
All Built!
The Whitney Portal Hostel in Lone Pine Ca, has been our staging ground for our trip. Allowing us to sew, make a mess and sleep. They have great rates, employees and the Owner is one hell of Guy.
Organizing, packing and trying to make sense of what to take and what to leave.
This bag, now that is packed and waiting for the plane weighs in at 99lbs. There are going to be some fees on this one!
More Bags and Equipment... Ahhh it is going to be heavy!
Some custom chopped and ground iron. Its heavy, but necessary.
And some good lookin' Hooks.
There is Power Pack in this picture ( the thing that looks like a laptop) we invested in total solar power and rechargeable batteries. Four months in the rocks would require a whole lot of AA's
Advance Tech HX 5 to 1 Haul System by SMC
Its a great tool that works with ease, when fighting against friction, gravity and weight.