My motto the last couple months:“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out when I get there.” Took two days to complete the Salkantay Trek. 50+ kilometers (30+ miles) over an alpine mountain pass and down into the jungle below. Lots of small villas throughout the trek selling cervezas and sandwiches. Refugios and huts, small coffee farms, countless chickens and ducks. Burros and horses moving up … Continue reading Peru: Salkantay Trek
What’s better than hiking with an awesome local guide? Hiking with an awesome local guide who has a sweet pupper! Shandira brought her puppy, Wayra (“wind” in Quechua), along for a quick hike to Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco”). Usually done as an overnight trek, we day hiked from Chinchero to Lamay on an ancient Inca trail and viewed the ruins along the route. Wayra led … Continue reading Peru: Huchuy Qosqo
Completed the Santa Cruz trek this morning. Hiked 50km (30 mi.) in a couple of rainy, drizzly days. A little snow and wind up on top of Punta Union. A very challenging climb to 4750m (15,583′) with about 1000m (3280′) of vertical gain with a full pack. Lots of muddy trails, slippery rocks, cows, burros, and one very cute puppy at the end of the … Continue reading Peru: Santa Cruz Trek
A few photos from my hike to Laguna 69 a couple days ago. At 4604m (15,104′), this dayhike is the highest elevation I’ve been to so far. I feel good. And Peru feels so comfortable for some reason. I’ve made friends with the guys running this hostel. We don’t always understand each other, but a smile and a “que tal, Eduardo?” goes a long way. … Continue reading Peru: Laguna 69 Hike
All my friends know that I love two things: the outdoors and puppies. Hiked up to Laguna Churup (4,450m or 14,600′) to find a pupper THAT NOBODY BROUGHT. Seriously. The dog just walked itself up here! Independent doggo don’t need no owner. Possibly the happiest dog I’ve ever met. And it makes sense! It lives in the Andes and walks itself up to beautiful alpine … Continue reading Peru: Laguna Churup Hike
A poem I wrote about my hike in Torres del Paine… I ran all the way to the Mirador Base TorresStrong strides through a forest of tight treesHopping over small streamsShortBoundingJumpsFrom root to twisted rootClimbing aroundAnd over bouldersPassing other hikersPermisoExcuse mePermisoGraciasNodding and smiling I wanted to tell them that I was not running to competeOr to make a certain timeI was not hurrying past, missing … Continue reading Chile: Torres del Paine
So I’m talking to these two nice guys who picked me up while hitchhiking in my very poor, broken Spanish. Luis, a construction safety manager, asks me if I’ve seen a huemul (highly endangered Andean deer and national symbol of Chile). I tell him, “no, unfortunately not.” He tells me that has hasn’t seen one either, even though he’s lived here his whole life. Not … Continue reading Chile: Huemul
The trails in Parque Cerro Castillo were closed today due to high water in the rivers and poor weather, so I’m staying in Villa Cerro Castillo. I’ve got some incredible views from my tent site today and am hoping to get into the backcountry tomorrow. Much gratitude to a local mechanic named Eduardo who gave me a ride into town today. Hitchhiking here is pretty … Continue reading Chile: Parque Cerro Castillo
I’ve spent the last week camping in Moab. Tomorrow, I’m driving back to Southern California. I have a week-long job with the Chadwick School there. In December, I’m going to Patagonia and plan to spend two months in South America. There’s a solid possibility that I’ll be working in Korea this spring. I smoke a cigarette and sip from a can of Pabst. The stars … Continue reading UT: Camping in Moab
Don’t ever let them say that you don’t have enough experience. This is a silly photo from the end of my last course. We’re doing “Eddy’s Only Face” at a Wyoming ranch as the sun goes down in long, glorious streaks behind us. We’ve just finished two weeks of backpacking in the Wind River Range. We’re laughing and saying our goodbyes as my students go … Continue reading WY: End of My First NOLS Season
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