Team
This is the gringo team that decided to go to Cochamo together.
Good Relations
As you can see, we get along great.
Puerto Montt
The story starts off in the little port city of Puert Montt, Chile.
Groceries
...where we get supplies for two months...
Locals
...meet some locals...
Prepare
...and mentally prepare for what is sure to be an epic adventure.
Gear
It's important to bring the right gear to climbing areas like Cochamó. Climbing shoes? Check. Helmet? Check. Cute puppy? Check.
Valle La Junta
Because when you get in there, you're going to have to climb things like this.
Arcoiris
And this.
Psyched
But you're psyched!
Arcoiris base
So you go hiking up to the base of three thousand foot walls, thinking that you're going to be the first person in the world to climb it.
Camp Farm (not on Arcoiris, but goes well with the story)
But it's hard.
Verticle Bushes
Because verticle bushes swallow you whole
Blank
and the wall is scary
and after falling from a very hard section and landing on your crotch and you stop and take a rest and realize you can't do it
The look
Which makes you're climbing partner give that look. The "What the hell are we doing up here?" look.
Ladies
So you go into town and forget about the fact that you weren't able to climb a first ascent in Cochamo
Old Wise Man
In town an old wise man tells you, "I know of a place where virgen granite sits waiting for people to climb it. Where you can bathe in crystal clear waters and have sunny days for a month".
Alendalaca
And we imagine beautiful clean rock.
Alendalaca summit
And summits of first ascents
Ugg
So we re-supplied again, with only the finest of materials
Valle Trinidad
And we hike to a virgen valley that no one has ever been to
Nate
And we pair up with an expert climber that is so good the only gear he needs is bright green underwear
Camp
And we set up the camp we are going to live at for a month
Tatonka Slab
And we start climbing our little hearts out
Nate on Tatonka
Atlantis
Life is real good
Laguna Swimming
I mean really, really good.
Summit of Cerro Perro
We get not just one first ascent, but three. Plus smaller first ascents at the base of the big walls.
Vish Cooking
And Vishal says, "Yeah, this was a sweet climbing trip"
Cerro Laguna View
And I agree
Moon
So we consider the trip successful, pack things up and leave.