November 30, 2015
I found the Andes mountain scenery I was looking for today. And then some. Wow. Unbelievable. I can’t really describe it, so I think I’ll just post some photos and let them speak for themselves. I’ll add a few (very few) words where necessary.
In the center of this photo you can see snow pouring down the mountain. I had my back to this taking a photo in the other direction when I heard what sounded like a truck behind me. For a long time. When I turned around I realized it was an avalanche. I was so stunned watching it that I forgot to get the camera out for a while.
16,053 feet, on a fully loaded 18 horsepower XT250. There is a tunnel through the mountain about 600 feet lower, but this path leads over the tunnel and down the other side. The little 250 had no problems at 16,000 feet. To paraphrase Ed March of C90 Adventures, if you tell me you need a $20,000 adventure bike to do this ride, I will kick you where it hurts.
No photoshop. No playing with color scales. This is the real deal.
Yes, that’s a “2RideTheGlobe.com” sticker on the top of that sign at the top of this pass. 15,289 feet.
Dirt/rock/shale road down the mountain in the rain.
Llanganuco Lake. Natural color.
I will try to post a few short videos tomorrow as well.
Wow, wow, pat, u weren’t kidding about this place, very impressive, no words, a bucket list contender, those quick altitude changed switchbacks remind me of heading down copper canyon towards batopilas. And the paved road near ice snow scenery is amazing, the lake colors r unbelievable. U could charge $$ for following ur website.
If it gets one other person to pack it all up and hit the road, then that’s payment enough for me.
Man thats some stunning scenery. Awesome !
Dual sport switchback road MECCA!!!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
Ride on! It’s going to get better and better!
Awesome switchbacks! Any hairy moments on the marbles?
Most of my hairy moments yesterday were due to a combination of the MT90 tires on wet rocks and not being able to see due to the rain. Was wishing I had my MT21 knobbies all day. But I wouldn’t have traded the scenery for a smoother, drier trail.
Water color. They mine copper in that section of SA and wonder if that’s a contributor of the color?
Could be. I think it’s mostly the glacier melt. Wouldn’t want to swim in that lake.