Been in this angosto país for two months, and a month remains on my annual pilgrimage to the Andes. I've seen a lot in the last few weeks, from 35' waves on the Pacific Coast, to the volcanoes of northern Patagonia, to the barren mountainscape of the central Andes. Plus street dogs, Brazilian tourists, public displays of affection, and the bottom of many a bottle of Carmenere.
I've recently been joined by my faithful companion, Mia. She left behind one of the driest Seattle summers on record to visit this wintery continent, but has been happy to find high temperatures, sunny skies, and warm hospitality. I write from a bus on our way to the beach for a couple days before heading back to the mountains. Spring has set in, the snow is melting rapidly, and but a week or two remains for skiing in the Zona Central. We'll likely head to Chillán and Pucón soon to follow the line of changing seasons and it migrates south.
Typical evening scenes from Farellones, the town I'm based out of.
Skiing a couloir off of Cerro La Parva, near the end of the 5+ week dry spell we were cursed with.
During that same dry spell, we still found some turns worth making. Jordan Ingmire photo.
And things worth doing.
A surfer on a beast of a wave at Punta de Lobos. I surf a bit here, but these days I'm planted firmly on the dirt, beer in hand.
A map of a big recent swell in the southeast pacific. The ocean is incredibly active, with energy spinning off north from Antarctica constantly.
One of the only powder days all year. Deep snow in some couloirs at La Parva with Camila and Rachael.
Doin' work following the storm.
We cruised down to Antillanca for a photo/video event with The North Face Chile. It is a gorgeous place surrounded by astounding volcanic scenery and lakes in all directions.
Puntiagudo. A bad motherfucker with five pitches of water and mushroom ice to get on top.
Friends on the way home from Antillanca, Volcán Llaima in the background.
Got an incredible day in a helicopter. Supposedly no one has skied this stuff before, but who knows. Skied the main valley on the right and the big couloir in the middle, plus a handful of other lines.
Had another heli day, this time for a freeride competition, the Swatch Skiers Cup. Skied this spiny face in the back that I've been looking at from years. This picture is taken from my house
De la decima región a la metropolitana: Recently in Chile
- DonJuanPakistan
- Trippin' travellin'.
- from Seattle, Washington
- Contact:
Re: De la decima región a la metropolitana: Recently in Chil
Thanks for the update Drew! Inspiring as usual. And props to Mia for surviving her travels.
Hope all goes as well for the rest of your stay.
Hope all goes as well for the rest of your stay.
- skykilo
- olikyks
- from Santa Fe
- Contact:
Re: De la decima región a la metropolitana: Recently in Chil
Your pictures make me want to ski! Have a good month....
- Diamond Dachshund
- from The Future
- Contact:
Re: De la decima región a la metropolitana: Recently in Chil
Your multidisciplinary mastery is quite invigorating. I watched the Swatch skier's cup video however did not spot you. Are you riding? Is Mia intact or permanently scarred? Are they going ship her to a Gulag in siberia on the way back?
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- BettyBoost
Re: De la decima región a la metropolitana: Recently in Chil
Wish I could've shredded El Chiminea with yous guys! I can't believe we were there for the only powder days of the year! StOOoOOooked!
WOOOOOOAH! Puntiagudo looks rad.
AND, I miss you guys. Come back now.
WOOOOOOAH! Puntiagudo looks rad.
AND, I miss you guys. Come back now.