05/29 Well, with the help of Karin and Marten, who are on the other side of the mountain range (and who have fast internet access and a grasp of Spanish that I lack), its been determined that my dreams of seeing “the most beautiful mountain in the world” have been shattered. The only route across this part of the range is via a trekking path more suited to travel via donkey. I just can’t get into the idea of doing this whole trekking thing for some reason so that option is out. I like being on my bike and even though I used to do plenty of hiking I’d miss sailing along down the bumpy roads. Hiking with just a guide or with someone else I don’t know for days isn’t too appealing either.
Looks like I’ll be heading south to the town of Yanama where I’ll make a crossing on a dirt road (that I know exists). I don’t want to miss the Cañón del Pato so I’ll be riding back up that way which means for at least two days I’ll have to ride the same section of road twice. I’m still glad I got to see the infrequently traveled east side of the Cordillera Blanca range. From Corongo on this has been one of my favorite parts of Peru.
Pomabamba has been a great place to hang out for a couple days. The market was today which brought in all the women from up in the highlands to sell things. It still amazes me how ornately dressed some of them are and how much the styles change throughout Peru. The people in the local bakery and at the fine grilled chicken place Mikey’s are sure going to miss me. The lady at the internet cafe isn’t going to. I kept bugging her to print maps for me. There’s even a bike shop a block off the plaza that had a plastic bottle cage since the only metal one I was using just snapped.
I have to give some props to Koolstop brake pads. The ones I’ve had on the back were just replaced after 2000 miles. These weren’t easy miles either. I’ve chewed through generic brand ones in 2 weeks when I’ve have to use those. I’ll be grabbing a couple more sets in Florida when I go back.
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