Another Summit Conquered...

The last time I spoke to you all I was in Pucon waiting for a good day to climb to the top of a nearby volcano. I decided to go for Sunday which gave me a few days wait but, the weather forecast for Sunday was good. I could have gone for the climb on the Thursday with a couple of Irish guys who were staying at the same hostel. When the weather on Thursday morning was clear I thought I had missed my chance. When the lads got back and told me they had not managed to reach the summit as it was so hard going, I was slightly concerned. Add the fact the weather turned dreadful Friday and Saturday I thought it was not meant to be. Imagine how happy I was when I woke up on Sunday morning and the weather was perfect!!!
After getting kitted out with all the gear for walking in snow we were off... It was quite hard going and strange to be walking in deep snow. The views as we started to climb were well worth the effort though. On the last section it was particularly tough as it was well steep and windy but I managed to get to the summit. It was not as hard going as I thought it was going to be after talking to the Irish boys, I even (get this) DID NOT have a beer the night before so I would be more up for it. The views from the summit were awesome and you got a great view into the crater where the volcano is still well active. Did not manage to see bubbling lava but you could see the glow of the lava and the smoke pouring out. After a little time at the summit it was time to get back down. What a good laugh it was on the way down, you got to slide down by lying on your back with your legs in the air. Took me back to me younger days sliding down rollie polly hill on a plastic bag. Christ I got some speed up on the steep parts thinking I would never slow down in time, it was worth the wet arse I got! The whole day was perfect in the end and the weather did me proud. Mind you, I was hurting for the next couple of days or so, especially from the boots they provided you with. Felt great to get to another summit.
After Pucon I left for Baralochi which is in Argentina's lake district. Again the scenery was well nice with a back drop of snow peaked mountains as well as the lake scene. Baralochi is also a really cool tourist town, with the usual Argentinean goodies. Managed to get some good photos here as well as eating the best steak ever! Met a couple of lads from England so I have seriously been on the lash. It is definitely hard work all this drinking and sporting feast going on. Mind you with that clown Mclaren in charge of England with his sit back tactics it's enough to drive any man to drink. Heading more south in Patagonia, next stop Puerto Madryn where the whales are. I am hoping the camera gets a serious work out here.
Shall be in touch soon... the bear

Drinking Beer & Watching Sport - a great pastime...

I have to admit I have not done much in the way of travelling and sight seeing since my last post. Sometimes you just have to put the camera and guide book away and kick back.
I did manage to go to Valparaiso a couple of hours away from Santiago by bus. Valparaiso is a nice city with a plus side of being on the coast, so it was nice to be next the ocean again. Its also best known for its many hills rising from the mad city below. Its quite cool how you have the hustle and bustle of a major city and then a short but steep walk up to the quiet of the hill districts. As well as having great views over the city and coastline below there loads of art cafes, bars and bright coloured buildings. Great spot for a quiet coffee or alcoholic beverage (can be a tough choice at times). With the views - I did manage to get the camera out after finding a good view point which was hard work walking up and down them hills. There looked to be a nearby beach resort that sounded ok but the time I chose to go, it was overcast and grim so I gave it a miss.
After Valparaiso I went back to Santiago and the same hostel I stayed in before as it was good hostel with good facilities (a good bar with big screen TV). As you can imagine with the sporting feast that was on over last weekend I was a happy man. Imagine if you can, watching England play Australia in the rugby world cup quarter finals with a load of Aussies and then winning. The grief I gave them was sheer bliss and I do not know much when it comes to rugby but so what, you don't get many chances give the Aussies some grief. Oh the joy when I waved them goodbye at the end of the game, thanks for coming lads! You can imagine that after a couple of premiership games and more rugby games a lot of beer was drunk.

Sunday I felt a little grim but was cheered up when watching the Scotland vs. Argentina game, a couple of jocks walked in the bar. Does it get any better than this? My mates Pie and Harvey who live in Jock land will appreciate the grief I gave them. After the Argie victory I nearly went out and bought but Argentinean rugby top. I have to admit there were some good people in the hostel so I was doing some serious partying until 2 and 3 in the morning. I was almost glad when I actually left Santiago - feeling like I was pickled in alcohol. At the moment I am in Pucon in the lake district which, on first view is lush. Loads of lakes surrounded by volcanoes and mountains. There is a snow peaked volcano that you can climb nearby which has my name on it! I am waiting for a decent days weather to climb the baby so cross your fingers for me and I'll will be in touch soon to let you know how I went on.
Laters!... the bear

Mountain Mania 2 - the mountain bear returns...

Well since the last post I sent from Cordoba the scenery has got steadily more spectacular. Before I left Cordoba I did a trip to the surrounding area around Cordoba which was nice. The area was mainly mountain valleys and lakes. The main highlight was taking a chair lift to the top of a mountain for good views of the valleys. The chair lift I took was like what you get at the ski resorts. I laughed thinking how Baggaley would have reacted as he is scared of heights, the big girl!
After Cordoba I went to Mendoza which as all you quaffers know is wine country. I did a tour of a couple of wineries, it would be rude not to. Great to get to the tasting part - managing to get a taste of quite a few wines. Even bought a bottle as it was so cheap for the quality of wine. Took a couple of bottles back to the hostel and did some serious quaffing only stopping to go eat a massive thick steak. Hey you gotta do it to soak up the wine. It's unbelievable how many different wines there are in the restaurants, Christ the wine list is like reading the bible there are so many.
Took a day trip to the surrounding mountains, where the mountain scenery was outstanding. If you like mountains like me, I have to say it was up there as one of the most scenic roads I have been on. As good as the scenery was, the actual tour and the guide were rubbish. His first photo stop may as well have been in a powerstation there were so may pylons and wires. Uninterrupted views of panoramic snow peaked mountains and he stops there. He also very rarely stopped so as you can imagine was like a caged tiger wanting to get out of the vehicle take some shots. I had to bite my tongue stop myself telling the tour guide he was a clown. We did manage to stop in a couple of good spots right up in the mountains to get some good photos. So yes Janet - me camera finger was going ballistic. Coop - you can expect the photos to be coming thick and fast. (not as good as the photo of Lord Vader George) Even went on another trip to a massive canyon south of Mendoza which again was well worth a look. I enjoyed my stop in Mendoza, a good spot with great wine and again great steak plus good things to see nearby.
After Mendoza I headed to Chile and Santiago up the same mountain route I took earlier. When I got over the border the mountain scenery on the Chilean side was even better as you are right up at the top of the mountains surrounded by snow peaked mountains over 6,000 metres. You even have the chair lifts coming over the bus taking the skiers to the ski slopes. Santiago is a nice city, again its a big un with everything you need here, even if it is more expensive than all the other countries I have been to in the Americas. Today, here, I have seen something different - coffee shops like hooters - yes believe me. The waitresses who are absolutely lush all wearing tight, short, low cut dresses. Some of the best views I have seen while drinking coffee. Looks like my coffee habit is about to get alot worse!!!
On that note I will say
laters my friends....the bear