Well it is good to be sitting on normal chairs for the day instead of a saddle, the backside is enjoying the luxury! The sun is not shining yet but maybe it will come out a bit later this afternoon, it is nice and warm though. Our hostal is about 100 metres from the Pacific and the waves are crashing in onto the beach, there is something so relaxing about that sound. We are all just taking things easy and getting ready for the next 4 hard days ahead as we go back into the mountains and eventually back up to the dizzy heights between 2000 and 4800 metres. We have days of 118, 80, 66 & 70K to look forward to. Doesn't sound to bad but these days involve 83, 10, 34 & 100% paved roads, along with 662, 861, 1600 & 1223 metres climbing respectively. These last figures make the prospect look a little harder, offroad & climbing too, as well as bushcamp for the next 2 days. The Andes Trail now starts for real, there are days with 0% paved roads to come in the remaining weeks to the end. We have only had the prologue over the past 1500K, now the real work starts, so keep watching this space!
Thanks to all of you who have put comments on my blog, you are really helping to keep me going, I cannot thank you enough, please keep going with them. I hope I can keep you informed & provide you with a few funny anecdotes along the way. The more we move into camping, especially bushcamps, the less frequently I will be able to keep you up to date, but I will get the stories up as soon as I can when wifi is available. Thanks again to you all for looking in & commenting too!
The Andes Trail
The Route
Thank you for your update Rob. I just talked to Topper and he sounds tired too. You have all accomplished an incredible journey already. Sounds like some very hard days ahead. Know that you and the others have many people with you in spirit, sending good thoughts and power for that push up to Cuzco.
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, thanks for keeping us informed and sharing your comments and feelings. I can only admire your courage and strenghts. Please keep going and stay healthy and cheer. Best wishes. Pavel
ReplyDeleteHi Rob
ReplyDeletehave just read all your blog, sounds great.
I was supposed to be in the Himalaya now, cycling from Manali to Leh, but it was cancelled due to flash floods and severe damage in the Leh area. I would have also been at dizzy heights (up to 5,600). Maybe next year. I hope the mountains are not too harsh on you. I've mountaineered in Bolivia and look forward to reading your accounts when you get there. Keep it up. I know high altitude is very tough. Gerry Goldsmith
Hi Rob. I love the photo of you in the hammock (is that how it's spelt?). Good luck for the next section. Really looking forward to reading all about it idc. Keep safe! Margaret
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the next stretch. Hope you manage to cycle as well as you blog. By the way did you know that 'rob in the andes' is an anagram of:
ReplyDeletehastened robin; antihero bends; banished tenor; behind senator; honest brained; banner hoisted? Not to mention: a ninth bedsore.