December 18, 2016
When we decided to book a car for the week and explore parts north of Santiago we wern’t exactly sure where we would end up other than wanting, for a number of reasons, go check out South America’s most famous ski resort, Portillo. Not just for the fact that it was relatively close to Santiago, it would get us up into the Andes and a bit out of the heat we’ve been following lately.
Unknowingly it will add the adventure of one of the most amazing roads that we’ve driven (we’ve driven a bunch), throw in some unexpected surprises of circumstance, we’re in for a couple of days that will go high on Kate and Paul’s adviser of our Chile trip
so far.
so far.
We started to climb the pass quite late yesterday when we found this little pull out that has served us well.
Glad we didn't park too close to the edge.
At this point of the climb we are still far from knowing how challenging it is.
Even here we wake to find in the picture above, near the bottom centre right one of the ENDLESS commercial vehicles that didn't make it.
As it is with many of the pictures I take, it is difficult to capture the grandeur of the moment.
Believe us that this is a long, steep way down.
probably a winter casualty.
Long before our breakfast view we are starting to realise that this pass through the Andes is no simple feat of engineering and successfull navigating.
The rock face ahead is all switchbacks as we head close to ten thousand feet and the ski resort and the Argentinian border.
Looks like somebody should have been zigging when they were zagging.
Look out below...
...and by the way that "PieFace Showdown" on your Christmas list might just not happen.
The road is starting to run out and some familiar ski lift towers are starting to appear so we must be getting close.
Close we are as we will see next!
