July 3, 2007

We heard again from guide Danny Uhlmann on our second Bolivia Expedition. He called a little after noon Pacific time, which is a little after 3pm Bolivia time. He said that today the team trekked from 13,500 feet up and over a 15,000-foot pass, then down an old Inca trail that dates back to the early 1500s. They hiked all day, passing beautiful alpine lakes and granite rock outcroppings and "ended up in a cool valley that felt like a little Eden, with bonsai-looking trees all around." They established a campsite by the river and are now making plans for dinner and a post-dinner hike. Danny said they also plan to continue their nightly gin rummy tournament.

Tomorrow is their last full day of the trek, and the team will hike to the Mina Chojolla, which is about 5 hours of walking.