Bolivian Jungle

Heading down to pampas in the Bolivian lowlands required yet more bumpy travelling in land cruisers on extremely dusty roads to reach the Yacuma river. Our journey was only interrupted by typical traveller problems of broken down vehicles, a snapped throttle cable being mended with wire scrounged from somewhere in the back of the truck. Our thrash down the road was also intterupted when we came to a screaming halt and raced out to take photos of a sloth.... slightly hasty actions since they are not known for running away in a hurry....

 The view down the road, sporting the red markings that the local indians use as a dye gotten from a fruit with blood red insides.

 On the river there are literally hundreds of alligators on show, plus the more elusive and more malevolent black caimen.

Cruising up the river listening to tunes on my ipod watching out for the wildlife, not a bad days work

On the 2nd day we got to go fishing, quite an experience pulling in pirañas with chunks of meat on the  hook. Got to be careful though, especially with the red ones, large teeth have a wicked bite if you slip!

sunset over the river from the lodge, beautiful day

Spider monkeys, inquisitive little creatures that jumped on our boat  to investigate us.













So a fantastic trip was had by the group, far too many stories to type them all up, I am staying in Bolivia as a base until next year, upecoming blogs should include some alpine ascents in the corderilla real and first ascent rock climbing.

Vertical Journeys will be offering first ascent rock climbing to Bolivia soon as there is such a huge potential here in bolivia for exploratory climbing. Ill be documenting areas as I find them and posting pictures of the cliffs and routes. If you want to come and make your mark and put up first ascents then get in touch and I will put together a tour for you and your team. verticaljourneys@hotmail..co.uk

South American Adventures and Pictures

South American Adventures and Pictures

As its the end of July I will update the blog with a few recent adventures and shots I have taken, I recently led an expedition out to Bolivia with a group exploring the mountains, jungle and the other worldly area of the salt flats of the volcanic Chilean/ Bolivian border.

The Bolivians always love a good party and any excuse to block a street, dance and eat fast food is take up with glee, this is what greeted us on the street outside or otherwise quiet hostel... if you can't beat em join em.

While in La Paz I got to work with a children's project that provides alternative and creative learning through games, art and other interactive mediums. This was great fun and rewarding although playing tag at 4000m above sea level is a bit taxing on the lungs!

The next part of the trip took us to the otherworldly land of the Salt flats down by the Chilean/ Bolivian border, and area i have been to before but one that is so photogenic that its alway a spectacular chance to get some new shots.

The salt and mineral train graveyard near Uyuni, many of these locomotives from the 19th century mineral boom were manufactured u

in the factories England, they've come a long way to finally rest in this eerie land. 

Salt is still mined here using the most basic of labour, a man and his shovel, hard work in what is an incredibly bright land as the sun glares down and bounces off the white salt all day.

The classic team picture of the spectacular flatness of the salt flats

 The volcanic mountains of the area are spectacular and have many beautiful mineral lakes below them, fantastic area apart from the smell of eggs from all the sulphur.

The wild world of the volcano area and the salar means that some pretty interesting adventure travel must occur, usually in the back of a land cruiser, these shots of our convoy whipping up the dust convey the scale and scenery that you thunder (and bounce and shake....( across for days.

and finally the spooky geyser area at a very cold 5am, some cold tourists watching a steamy sunrise.

thats is the first part of the Bolivian expedition adventure, i will update next with the mountains of the north of Bolivia and the jungle tour down in the pampas/ amazon area and there will be more from Bolivia as well as i will be located here until next year scoping out venues for first ascent rock climbing, keep checking back.