Home » Chile » Valderi, Valdera...some people call it a higher plain

I could just about crack it for a few bars of “The Happy Wanderer” Is it just the lack of oxygen? I don’t think so, there must be something more….but everyone is so cheerful! Along the road the road workers grin and wave, a gaucho herding some horses along the river bank waves his hat, I almost expect him to pull out a colt 45 and fire a few shots into the air, backpackers waiting patiently by the road wave and smile, call out greetings, cyclists nod or wave, depending if they’re on the ascent or descent, at every stop along the way people wave and smile…it goes on and on…<br /><br />

Valderi, Valdera...some people call it a higher plain

Bill Shum
2006-03-24 21:16:36

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Buildings of pine with steep roofs and carved signs, some “artesanas” markets, I guess some of this stuff is locally made as there are a couple of women knitting, but most of it looks like Chinese mass production crapola.

Out to the thermas, hot springs….Several are really commercial so we went right to the end of the road and Pozones. Set in a little wooded valley with a
stream rushing beside, a fantastic series of pools and you can really appreciate the understated development, natural rock pools, little shelters, icy-cold showers, gravel pathways, a gardener roaming around the beds clipping and pruning, pulling out what I thought was some rare flower species but obviously a weed!
Then you realise the price you pay for the under-development …the gravel paths are really tough on thermally tenderised feet and there is nothing to eat or drink!…oh well, probably good for a few hours.

Riding back into town I can see smoke coming from the volcan, whoo hoo! Later in the bar we decide to do the trek and book in to one of the local groups. I’m a little apprehensive, it’s a long way to the top, but anyway.

TENSING UP OVER HILARY AGAIN!

A fitful night’s sleep with dogs barking, sirens going off and someone ringing the door bell at 4am didn’t help my state of mind. 6.45 we are at the meeting place as instructed, nothing is happening…gradually the rest of the gang wander in, all up about 60 people. Eventually, and with remarkable lack of direction or organization, tickets are sort of checked, we wander upstairs and get boots and back packs.. Back down I check the back pack, water proof pants and jacket, gloves and what’s this? Crampons? Just how serious is this getting?

Then to the bus, another one ordered as the crowd builds, minimal management relying on herd instinct gets us all aboard the buses and 4 or 5 attempts to do a head count finally satisfy the guides and we ...