September 1, 2007

AAI guide Mark Johnson called in this report:

On Friday evening we had a nice group dinner with our new member Allen, who is joining us for the climbing part of this program after acclimatizing on his own. On Saturday we left the city a little before 8am went out to lake Titicaca and had a really great morning out on the lake. The water was very blue, and it wasn't too cold.

We had a good, fast boat to take us out to Isla Suriqui where we looked around the museum and took a walk up its high point where we got amazing views of the lake in all directions as well as the Apolobamba Range, the main chain of the Cordillera Real, and Illimani to the south beyond the La Paz basin which is out of view. Those awe-inspiring views were the highlight of the morning.

Back on the mainland we had a great lunch of grilled trout that had been caught in the lake that morning. Then we got in the bus and came out to the trailhead for the Condoriri Valley. We have our camp all set up and just had dinner (we've been enjoying eating!). Now it's dark and the night sky is spectacular; it is extremely dark here and the atmosphere is dry and unpolluted, so we have tremendous views of Southern Cross, Scorpio, and numerous other constellations.

Everyone is doing well. It is quite chilly but we're dressed for it and comfortable. We will be walking up to base camp tomorrow, and everyone is excited about getting closer to these spectacular mountains.

We'll call tomorrow and give you an update.

AAI guide Mark Johnson

Read more about the itinerary and ascents on AAI's Bolivia Trek and Climbing Expedition