Trekking in the Andes!

It might seem overdramatic to start this story saying that I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life yesterday, but who cares, I like drama. Fredy and I recently joined a local Trekking club and were excited to go to our first group hike. It was to a mountain about an hour outside the city. We were looking forward to a day of hiking but it ended up being way more than we ever anticipated. We knew we were a bit in over our heads when people started asking where our trekking poles and polainas (covers that go over the lower legs to keep the snow out of your boots) were.

We headed out around 9 am and very quickly found ourselves surrounded by the most amazing alpine scenery we could imagine. Luckily the group we joined was filled with talented, kind people who taught us some of the basics of getting up snowy inclines and getting down slippery slopes.  Each time we thought we were arriving at the "top" we would get there just to see that it was the beginning of a flat plain that only led to another incline. It was challenging but worth the effort. The colors of the mineral rich mountains topped with snow are just amazing.

Memorable moment: me unable to catch my footing on a slippery part and Fredy staying behind me, literally pushing my butt up the hill. Thanks, Babe! Thankfully there are no photos to prove that though!  It was also fun to be walking along looking at the enormous mountains all around and suddenly the snow collapses and one of your legs drops thigh deep into a hole. 

We made it to an altitude of about 3,100 meters, which is over 9,000 feet. We didn't quite make it to the intended peak, which is called Refugio Plantat -- a stone shelter where people can camp. But that just gives us a reason to go back again!

We got back to the parking area at about 5:30, which was just perfect timing because those high altitude winds were starting to get nasty. We made some wonderful new friends throughout the day and plan to head out on another trek with them ASAP, right after we go buy some new boots, trekking poles, polainas, and hats with big flaps to keep the relentless sun off. The reflection of the snow is brutal and the ozone is depleted here so you don't mess with sun exposure. Luckily we did go prepared with plenty of sunscreen, so we were not totally clueless. Oh, and we were well nourished by some homemade granola I made that was pretty darn good.

I must say that I never had any interest in climbing the great mountains of the world, like Everest, but I think I am going to like hanging out on these "small" peaks! 

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