Atacama Desert, Chile, 2003
The Atacama Desert of northern Chile is one of the dryest places on earth. Situated on the border of Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina, it is anchored by the town of San Pedro de Atacama on the shores of an ancient sea that has withered to a series of salt lakes and flats frequented by flamingos. Ribbons of green created by freshwater streams coming down from Andean volcanoes cut into the earth to create some interesting slot canyons. There are also several hot springs and a geyser field. We explored these areas in Chile before climbing Licancabur Volcano at 19,400 ft (5940 m) from the Bolivia side.
Trek route
San Pedro de Atacama
Town parade
Spectators
Machuca troop
Cactus flowers
Laguna Chaxa
Chilean Flamingos
Andean Flamingo
Iglesia de San Lucas
Valle de la Luna
Valle hike
Valle de la Luna
Luna dune
Sunset
View from Pukara
Trek start
Rio San Pedro
Narrows
1st camp at Bartolo
2nd day
Miner's grave
Petroglyphs
Tall cactus
Cactus flower
Rio Grande
Morning burros
Rio Penalin Machuca
Llamas
Machuca camp
Llamas
Llareta clump
Mirador group
Hymie & Marcela
Welcome to Bolivia!
Laguna Blanca
Flamencos on Laguna Blanca
Laguna Verde
Licancabur route
Inca beads
Acclimatizing hike
Start of climb
Licancabur dawn
Licancabur summit lake
Licancabur summit
Summit descent
Tatao geyser
Us at Tatao
Isabel at Tatao
Vicunas
Farewell toast!
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