Hiking in the Andes mountains
I apparently give the impression that I do not camp. I can see what that would be – I like creature comforts, and I do not like dirt. So I understand why Rodolfo’s high school friends had a note of doubt in their voices when they asked if I might be into a day of hiking that could possibly turn into a weekend of camping.
But the truth is, I am a champion hiker and camper. My family used to go out into the backcountry of Yosemite – like 6 miles down the trail, a mile off to our secret family camp where the cast iron pan used for frying trout was stored up a tree backcountry. I still don’t really like dirt (or bugs, or sitting on a log to pee), but despite those drawbacks, I do enjoy camping.
In the end, there was no camping. And also in the end, Rodolfo couldn’t even go! He was out of town with handball, but I was still invited for a day trip to the Andes mountains. Our destination: San Fernando, which is about 2 hours south of Santiago on the way to Santa Cruz, and then east along a dirt road until we couldn’t go any further. One of our group is studying tourism and knew of private property where the owners allow exploring.
Our tour guide for the day was Boo, a large mutt. I’m not sure whether he stuck with us out of a sense of duty or because he liked Lola, but every time we’d begin to think maybe he’d ditched us, we’d round a bend in the trail and see him waiting in the shade. No fool, that dog.
The first part of our hike was hot, uphill and dusty. Are we having fun yet? Well actually yes, I was, although some of the less athletic members of our group seemed to be too busy dying to answer that question.
But we all made it up the hill and enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by nature. Santiago is a relatively green city with plenty of parks and plazas at least in the neighborhood where I live, but a city of 6 million plus residents just isn’t the same as mountains and trees.
Our hiking destination was caves. I don’t really know anything about these caves beyond the fact that they had florescent…something on their ceiling. And that they had very low parts and were pitch black inside. Which meant we all wore some styling headlights and took unflattering pictures. There was also a laser light show involved. Very cultural.
The most exciting part of our day was seeing a snake. I’ve never seen a snake in Chile! It was tiny, probably a foot and a half long and not poisonous, but it was still pretty cool.
Post-snake, we all needed a cool down. Enter the swimming hole. I did NOT jump off the giant cliff because while I may be more outdoorsy than I seem, I am also not completely insane. A couple of the guys did, and from the way they clutched their buttocks in pain after slapping down on the water, I think I made the right choice just enjoying the sunshine and the view with my feet in the water.
We ended the day as any good Chilean summer’s day should end – with a barbecue. And a long drive home. And then an even longer sleep, because fresh air and hiking in the Andes really takes it out of a girl in the best possible way.
PS. Rodolfo took the camera with him, so all these pictures are from a friend’s camera – some taken by me, others by him. Gracias, Felipe!
PPS. Don’t forget to like the Emily in Chile Facebook page!
What a nice place to go for a swim. I hate camping but I like hiking. I haven’t done it many times since I don’t see a mountain very often. The sneak is scary! I used to see them all the time outside my parent’s house. They are supposed to be just “garden sneaks” but they really freak me out. PS: I need to go to Yosemite!
One of the guys was really scared of the snake too, but I just thought it was cool! I have plenty of dumb fears, but snakes aren’t one of them.
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As long as I know snakes aren’t poisonous – I’m ok to go.
And popping a squat is one of my least favourite activities.
Ditto to both of those. I’m pretty sure there are no poisonous snakes in Chile though, so I wasn’t too worried.
So fun!! And funny… I hope I never have to write the words “post-snake.” You’d think after living in Florida and Costa Rica I’d have a thicker skin. I’m fine if I see a little guy slithering away from me. But in the water, FORGET about it. I can’t tell where they’re going, and I scream.
Oh no, water snakes would scare me too! I don’t know if they’re all poisonous, but I definitely think of them that way. But little, harmless guys are kind of cool to me.
Gorgeous.
And this is boring scenery for Chile!
Wow, that sounds like a great hike! The snake looks scary, though! I love that your guide was a dog, too!
It was really funny, he obviously has done the route we did many times before because he would lead the way and never went wrong in choosing which path he thought we were going to take. He and Lola waited outside the caves for us, but other than that, he was our fearless leader.
I never thought about whether or not you would be a hiker or camper but I guess if you asked me I would have said probably not…until reading this post! Glad to know we can get some hikes in when we finally meet up in Europe =)
Yes, that would be so fun! I mean, I don’t necessarily love going on death marches straight up cliff faces, I’m not quite that hard core, but something like the trek up to the torres in Torres del Paine is the perfect level for my taste.
Looks like such a fun day!! The scenery reminds me so much of Cordoba, Argentina; it brings back memories of my own hiking adventures through the sierras.
I’ve heard that the area surrounding Cordoba is beautiful – hope to see it for myself eventually!
I love that there are so many great hiking places not too far outside Santiago.
It’s a really well-located city in terms of being able to get away for a day or two.
hi,
I love your blog LOL.
Best regards
Thanks so much, Ricardo!