San Luis y Parque Nacional Sierra de las Quijadas
Trip Start
Nov 28, 2005
1
4
45
Trip End
May 05, 2006
Where I stayed
San Luis, Argentina
Monday, December 5, 2005
We arrived in the small town of San Luis on Saturday the third and went to the brand new San Luis hostel where the owner Miguel invited us to a Argentinian asado or BBQ.
There were about 25 people including a bunch of kids around a long, long table in the couple´s garage. They served us the most amazing beef and salad and wine, beer and Fernet & Coke, this weird bitter liquor that they love. After dinner they pulled out a guitar and this man played guitar while several of them sang along. it was just amazing!
Up at 7 am to catch the bus to Parque Nacional Sierra de las Quijadas. The bus dropped us off at the entrance; a dirt turn-off in the middle of nowhere. After pretending to understand what two people told us and paying our park fees we started off on a 6 kilometer walk in the blazing 100 degree sun with no shade in sight. It was a long hour and ten minute walk to the park entrance, where we discovered blisters and a delirious fantasy of alternate forms of transportation (other than our feet). Arriving at the camp sight around 11 we met our guide who told us that the hikes were only by guide and that they didn´t leave until 2:30pm. We waited a long three and a half hours on a park bench in the shade....The wait though was very much worth it. We ended up on a 4 and a half hour hike up and down an amazing succession of eroded red peaks and open valley. The rocks were so amazing and the cliffs were phenomenal. Unfortunately it was 44 degrees Celsius for most of the hike. I dont think i have ever walked or hiked 10 miles in heat like that. It was challenging when we had to hike out of the valley! Luckily we got a ride to the park entrance on the way back as Carson hadn´´t brought his shoes and was hiking in his Chacos. It was my suggestion to cut off his sleeves and wrap his feet with the cloth. Check out the pictures.´
That night we hung out with a bunch of Argentinians in the Hostel and I managed to talk to the night staff man, Carlos, for about an hour until my brain total froze up and I was forced to put myself to sleep. I was so amazed with myself though.
Woke up in the morning and Carson discovered that in the night someone (there was one other guy in the hostel so our guess is pretty good i bet) cut off clasps on his backpack. the motherfucker! I then dropped and broke my second bottle of water before we got on the bus; my ipod refused to turn on and we accidentally took the longer bus. But hopefully that was just one mildly unlucky day. We are now in Mendoza and loving the friendly people and looking forward to a wine bodega tour this afternoon. Will¨"talk" soon.
