Cochamó Valle Day 1

LA JUNTA: VALLE DE COCHAMÓ
[More Videos and Pictures Pending]
DAY 1: Arcoiris Trek

Wednesday, Nov. 12th, 2008. It’s Day 136 on The Big Trip.

As if one day of sudden uphill hiking isn’t enough, we take Daniel’s advice to do the Arcoiris (Rainbow) trek, which he forged and maintains. To get to the base of the trail you must cross back over the river. Weee! Why aren’t more transportation services comprised of harnesses, cables, and pulleys?

Daniel crosses with us and gives us more specifics for what we can expect on our 4-ish hour ascent and 2-ish hour descent. The 2:1 up:down time ratio means that the trek will be steep. The trek starts out in the forest and continues to edge up to the side of the ridge opening views to more of the valley. Cresting the tree line happens at about the same time that the trek encounters fixed ropes – some with knots, some without – that you utilize to make going up (wet) rock easier! The views at this point are nothing less than stunning on a sunny day.
When you think the hike is over at the snowy top, you are wrong. For the somehow better vistas, continue trudging through snow to the real top, further along. Proceed with caution if you are entering the summer because the snowmelt runoff beneath what the eye can see in coordination with softening snow makes burying a leg possible.

We make it to what we think is the top and record a vlog entry with stunning backdrops. All of this granite is making me incredulous to the fact that I’m in the Valle de Cochamó but still haven’t climbed! What am I thinking? I suppose I trust the weather and the ability to stay long enough to get my fill of climbing. Regardless, this is a gorgeous spot to hike and well worth the second consecutive day of hard hiking for us! Unfortunately, before hitting the real peak of this trek from which you are supposed to be able to see the sea and much more, our very hungry stomachs call us back down.

I start running down through the steep snow banks. My feet are soaked anyways at this point, so there’s no reason to go slowly down semi-steep rock to save me from wet socks. This reminds me of sand-boarding. It also reminds me of playing around on the snow-topped steep roof of our house and barn in Winthrop, Maine with my brother way back in the good old days! The scenery for this snow-running is really nice. And we’re putting the first steps into this snow up here, it seems. I’m guessing that in December, January and February there will be many more steps and perhaps even other people trekking along with you! It’s nice to be the first guests at the Refugio – which includes getting some quality time with the Seeliger family and friends! What a treat!

Soon we’re back down and ready to cross back over the river. But what is this? Daniel has finished yet another one of his busy-day tasks: he put up the cart on the cable! We don’t need the harnesses and pulleys because we can just sit in the cart and pull ourselves across the river. Or Alisa can sit in the cart while I pull from one side! It’s not nearly as fast as swinging on a pulley for most of the way, but it requires less of the traveler!

After eating a massive dinner for 4 – Sean, you’d be impressed! – we hang out and hit the sack, ready for tomorrow when we’ll get to check out some of this amazing rock that we’ve heard all about and that I’ve dreamed about!