tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-130488112024-03-13T05:46:02.301-04:00South America JournalChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-52421377953818183482006-02-28T15:40:00.003-04:002009-01-21T09:48:02.124-04:00Patagonia XI: Up the GuanacoLOCATION: ARGENTINAMONTH: JANUARYAlone, I went to climb the modest, but yet decent, Cerro Guanaco, some 900 meters above sea level. Interestingly, coming down from the mountain, I had different plans than those when I first started the climb. Stay tuned!Solo again.The morning of the 11th brought with it a challenge, a fulfillment to be completed – climbing the notorious Guanaco, the mountain thatChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1156182425140235922006-02-21T13:44:00.000-04:002006-08-23T13:32:33.756-04:00Patagonia X: Chronicles from the tip of South AmericaLOCATION: ARGENTINAMONTH: JANUARYMy time in Ushuaia was a time of exhilarating decisions, experiences and vistas: from the easy-going trail along Ensenada bay, through the golden sunrise over Ushuaia bay to the windswept peak of Cerro Guanaco that overlooks the Beagle Channel. Or, as one local restaurant promoted on a napkin: “Enjoy yourself, it’s the end of the world.”Ok, I am here but how the Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1143221990026863252006-02-19T13:38:00.000-04:002006-03-24T13:53:51.070-04:00Patagonia IX: Going to the edge - UshuaiaOn the ferry crossing Magellan's strait (our bus is the yellow roofed one) LOCATION: CHILE/ARGENTINAMONTH: JANUARY 2006With time on our hand, I, Maya and Barak left Puerto Natales toward the edge of the continent, to Ushuaia.Puento Arenas chapters – One hunt, One weird cemetery and One thing that went wrong…The following morning of our return from the Torres del Paine trek, we already boarded theChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1140979848157870962006-02-16T14:46:00.000-04:002006-03-24T13:41:30.446-04:00Patagonia VIII: New Year on the "W"The Torres and us (Maya, Barak and me)LOCATION: <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />CHILE<?xml:namespace prefix = o />MONTH: DECEMBER/JANUARYRegarded as one of the most beautiful treks in South America, Maya, Barak and me backpacked the famous "W" circuit in the Torres del Paine National Park, hauling ass under changing weather conditions and up and down the winding paths to see the famous Torres Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1139604628448086732006-02-10T16:43:00.000-04:002006-03-24T15:02:58.046-04:00Patagonia VII: On Route 40 all the way to the Chilean far southThe "W circuit" (adapted from www.turistel.cl)LOCATION: ARGENTINA/CHILEMONTH: DECEMBERGoing back to El Calafate, we moved to Puerto Natales through the Patagonian ranges and prepared for the most famous and notorious of Patagonia’s treks, the Torres del Paine trek.Going back to El CalafateMorning. We got up early, the streets of El Chalten dark and spotted with the Tungsten warm lighting, the Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1138738954119985912006-01-31T16:09:00.000-04:002006-02-10T16:51:15.593-04:00Patagonia VI: Hanuka & Christmas with FitzroyLOCATION: ARGENTINAMONTH: DECEMBERFinally, after almost 9 months of traveling, I finally came to one of the two most famous and popular treks of Patagonia: The Fitzroy trek. Together with Maya and Barak we embarked on a 3-day easy going (most of the time) trek near the monstrous giant granite rock with superb weather and clarity all along...Criss-crossing El ChaltenThe light came early, a typicalChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1137861649432301392006-01-21T12:39:00.000-04:002006-01-21T12:40:49.456-04:00Patagonia V: When the great white one creeps and thunders…LOCATION: ARGENTINAMONTH: DECEMBERVisiting the great one, the grand Perito Francisco Moreno glacier was one of the highlights of my trip, when the three of us witnessed crashes and falls of huge ice chunks into the tranquil waters while the thunders still echoed in the whole park long time after…Starting left, but fast going to the right…We woke up early, around 8:30, and after doing check-out Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1137373719885587462006-01-15T21:06:00.000-04:002007-04-13T13:28:08.996-04:00Patagonia IV: The El Bolson-Comodoro Rivadavia-El Calafate “circuit”Probably the most ugliest Cathedral in the world (Comodoro Rivadavia) - Taken by Maya GurLOCATION: ARGENTINAMONTH: DECEMBERGetting back to Bariloche, Me and Lee finally shipped her Muchila back to Israel and after a nice day we parted, again, for the third time...Getting back to El Bolson and re-meeting with Maya and Barak we embarked on successive lengthy bus rides only to reach El Calafate, Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1136945545712584172006-01-10T22:10:00.000-04:002006-01-10T22:29:46.226-04:00Patagonia III: Wood and Mountains of El BolsonLOCATION: ARGENTINAMONTH: DECEMBERAfter recovering from the last experience, the four of us took the bus to little El Bolson, a town situated in a prosperous valley between mountain ranges, lakes and forest ranges. Wood statues, mountains vistas and Jauja’s Ice cream were part of this area menu…Shipping (Again…) and one hot debateThe following morning, Saturday the 17th, me and Lee woke up with Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1135815494135369782005-12-26T17:31:00.000-04:002005-12-28T20:18:14.196-04:00Patagonia II: Eight lakes, One day and what a terrifying experience at the end!LOCATION: ARGENTINATaking a private car to see the fabulous 7 lakes around Bariloche was one experience I would never forget: Great blue lakes, forests and rivers and also one ALMOST deadly curve…Lakes, Forests and one waterfallFriday morning me and Lee were already in the rent car agency, only five minutes after the agency unlock their doors. The skies looked great and I was looking forward to Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1135803509582741452005-12-24T16:49:00.000-04:002005-12-28T17:22:39.396-04:00Patagonia I: When San Martin (de Los Andes) and (San Carlos de) Bariloche meet!LOCATION: CHILE/ARGENTINAFollowing Maya and Barak, me and Lee went on the bus to San Martin, a little and charming town sitting on Lago Lacar between mountain ranges and forests. The sweet little town left us with a taste for more when the next day we took the 11 am bus to Bariloche, the peak of Patagonia as the commercial statesA costly “loo”Waking up early the next day, I went quickly to find aChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1135007704389603522005-12-19T11:52:00.000-04:002005-12-19T11:55:04.433-04:00Going up the volcanoLOCATION: CHILEHitting Pucon after 11 hours of uncomfortable ride, we went starving to savore ourselves with delicious pizza and a good night sleep at The Monkey Puzzle. In the following days we met with Maya and Barak, good friends of mine from Israel, and approached the active cone shaped Villarica volcano, the local most famous attraction. It was bloody wet...One monkey, One Pizza and One Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1134409553551773012005-12-12T13:43:00.000-04:002005-12-12T13:49:50.106-04:00Valparaiso revisitedLOCATION: CHILE After one hour of ride, we came to lovely and sunny Valparaiso, sitting on the shores of the blue pacific. We tasted the down-town mentality and wandered among the colorful houses and alleys of the hills Valparaiso Valparaiso – Nicer than ever remembered!Monday morning, I woke up early so I could update the blog and find a place in Valparaiso we could sleep in. I lookedChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1133781880133307382005-12-05T07:18:00.000-04:002005-12-06T10:31:45.606-04:00Santiago revisited – Meetings under Andean supervisionChris and me, at La Casa Roja at the same day Chris landed in SantiagoLOCATION: CHILEWhile continuing having fun with the loco trio, thoughts and plans were already flowing ahead and <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Santiago de Chile was the next mark on my tour map. After 8 months of traveling, Santiago found me again more prepared, more confident and the more experienced, and those were the Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1132867166415104622005-11-24T17:13:00.000-04:002005-11-29T18:06:53.743-04:00The way to the base of the roof: When Ice, Mud and Wind come together!LOCATION: ARGENTINACerro Aconcagua (6962 meters) (Taken by Efrat V.)Starting from Puente del Inca, the legendary and mystical bridge, we did our way to Horcones base, continue on to Confluencia where we passed one night in the Rio Horcones valley before attempting an approach to Plaza Francia, at 4200 meters, which ended in a wind shelter hideout and a glorious view over the roof of the Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1132698666429580302005-11-22T18:27:00.000-04:002005-11-23T14:58:44.726-04:00Mendoza days: lots of fun and crazy company!LOCATION: ARGENTINAMe, Ravid, Sivan & Efrat in the back of the pickup truck heading back for MendozaShort time after parting from Jimmy, I have joined three funny and totally crazy Israeli girls for some great times in Mendoza and the surrounding while preparing for the Aconcagua base camp approach (Plaza Francia)Meet the loco-trio: Efrat, Ravid and SivanA day after I said goodbye to Jimmy, IChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131978304840903812005-11-14T10:19:00.000-04:002005-11-23T22:14:18.046-04:00Going west to Shady MendozaLOCATION: ARGENTINAAfter getting crazy of doing nothing in Cordoba, I managed to pick up my package and to catch the night bus to Mendoza. Shady Mendoza kept me busy for some time while I was looking for trekking partners to the Aconcagua National Park.About Argentinean bureaucracySo, after waiting so much time, Monday bloody Monday has arrived (on the U2 theme, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” song) and IChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131286450903102312005-11-06T10:04:00.000-04:002005-12-02T18:22:36.446-04:00Northern Argentina VI: All about passing the timeLOCATION: ARGENTINAAfter doing the jump, I found myself waiting for Monday so I could receive my package sent for me from Israel. Aside from living in the Internet point, I also went to have some fun at night in clubs and saw the magnificent and out of this world show of the famous De La Guarda. It was wet and crazy!!What do you mean no packages today? Or tomorrow??Somehow I thought I am a personChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1140341179983723942005-11-03T10:57:00.000-04:002006-02-19T05:30:37.406-04:00Northern Argentina V: When a man falls (and for a good reason)Half a second after leaving the plane...no need for more commentary hereLOCATION: ARGENTINAEven before I knew what my travel destination was, I knew I am going to Skydive where ever it will be. About 4 hours ago I have done so, and in this entry you will get my way of experiencing such a unique experience. Pour yourself a drink, sit down comfortably and start reading...Around a year and a bit agoChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131158487621812302005-10-31T18:46:00.000-04:002005-11-04T22:41:27.626-04:00Northern Argentina IV: Cordoba, City of youngLOCATION: ARGENTINAArriving at Cordoba afternoon, I was greeted by light rain and grey clouds hanging heavily over this modern high-rising built city. As the weather didn't improve too much in the passing days here, I have done little excursions outside of town, and most of the time spent in the Internet point, waiting for the upcoming experience of my life...Grey clouds hanging overThe ride to Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131158285207207212005-10-27T21:17:00.000-04:002005-11-04T22:38:05.236-04:00Northern Argentina III: The valleys of red and greenLOCATION: ARGENTINASolo I boarded the bus to Cafayate, a little town south of Salta, which is known for its vineyards and also for the amazing country side. After a scenic ride through the famous Quebrada de Cafayate (Valley of Cafayate) I went with a tour to a couple vineyards for explanation on wine production and tasting. The next day I was already on my way to Tucuman, the capital of it`s Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131158123955039492005-10-22T14:34:00.000-04:002005-11-04T22:35:23.980-04:00Northern Argentina II: About colors and partings...LOCATION: ARGENTINAAfter returning from the ranch, we left the next day to Quebrada de Humahuaca and to the little village of Purmamarca, where the famous Cerro de los Siete Colores is situated. After passing noon time in the village, we were offered a ride to nearby town of Tilcara with spectacular and colorful view of the Quebrada de Humahuaca mountain range and a visit to a hilltop ruins of Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131157904300639552005-10-18T17:49:00.000-04:002005-11-04T22:31:44.316-04:00Northern Argentina: European atmosphere in Gaucho-landLee and Me stopping for pictures while touring the Sayta ranch areaLOCATION: ARGENTINAAfter a lengthy bus ride to the northern city of Salta Lee and me found ourselves wandering around in the streets of Salta, feeling in Europe but with price tags similar to those of Peru. Having difficulties finding partners for a trip in the nearby area, we decided to hopped to Sayta farm where we received suchChen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131157599683774112005-10-14T23:37:00.000-04:002005-11-04T22:26:39.703-04:00San pedro days: Searching, Relaxing, and RunningLee and Me wishing a good New (Hebrew) Year - in the background is Volcano LicancaburLOCATION: CHILEArriving at San Pedro after sundown, I looked for Lee, and after some looking and poking I found her at her friend`s hostel. After bridging the gap of our different experiences, we past some tranquil days in little and dusty San pedro, celebrating the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashana. After almost 10 Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13048811.post-1131157231105490382005-09-30T23:37:00.000-04:002007-02-05T14:15:21.887-04:00Same Northern Chile, different manThe factory of Humberstone, a ghost town not far from IquiqueLOCATION: CHILECrossing the border into , I found myself looking at a similar scenery and people, but with changed eyes and perspective. Arica was a short stop on the way to lovely Iquique, where I spent two nights and re-visited Humberstone crumbling houses. Later, taking a bus to Calama I found myself hitting the sleepy town of San Chen Guttmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719924023031155395noreply@blogger.com0