Peru, Chile & Argentina
December 2003 - January 2004
A view of Cusco, Peru at 11,000 ft - my first desitnation; this city was the ancient capital of the Inca Empire
Notice the Plaza in the center of the city and the writings on the hillside on the rightside of the picture
Sascyhuaman is an ancient Inca site outside of Cusco; the Spaniards removed many blocks to form their churches
Walking with my guide Daniel after an insane rainstorm through Cusco
We stopped at his friends store for a drink 'til the flooded streets cleared.
Train drop off at KM 104 for the start of the Inca Trail - 4 hour ride from Cusco
Start of the 2 day Inca Trail at these ruins never discovered by the Spaniards - discovered in 1940!
Wiñay Wayna (Mini Machu Picchu) where we camped for a night before arriving at Machu Picchu
We woke up at 4 am to catch the sunrise at Machu Picchu - no sunrise too many clouds but great views and no tourists, yet
The Intihuatana, Hitching Post of the Sun
This religious rock is used to measure the angle of the sun and shows when the solstices and equinoxes occur.
It was used to identify when to plant and harvest according to the shadows it cast and for astrological observance
Strength Rock in the shape of the mountain Machu Picchu
Touch the rock and gain strength for your hike in and out of Machu Picchu
Buildings at Machu Picchu with rethatched roofs in a manner replicating their former status
Morning clouds surround Machu Picchu - the city was discovered in 1911; it lay hidden for over 400 years!
The condor rock on the ground with wings behind me.
Caves were discoverd behind my feet in 1995. Condor rock is shapped strangely similar to that of South America
View of Machu Picchu from Huanu Picchu the mountain above Machu Picchu
Grabbing a bite to eat and a spill to drink before New Years with some Peruvian friends
Plaza de Armas in Cusco filling up for New Years
Friends from the Inca Trail enjoying New Years in Cusco
The Running of the Humans
- run around the square twice for good luck in the plaza as fireworks crack at your feet -
A change of pace to cosmo Santiago
Santiago Chile
Art & Daniela Gimbel's Wedding in Santiago January 3, 2004
the wedding party begins
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
The tallest building in the world would rise from the lake to below the start of the snow!!!
Torres del Paine National Park
Classic view on my 3 day backpack around Torres del Paine - the lakes were a gorgeous indigo
Valley de Frances, Torres del Pain National Park
Los Cuernos or the Horns in Torres del Paine
Los Cuernos from Lake Pehoe on my way out of Torres del Paine
Perito Moreno - amazing advancing glacier in Los Glacieres Park, Argentina - HUGE!
the Perito Moren Glacier in an artistic view
Cerro Torre and Laguna Torre in Los Glacieres Park, Argentina
The massive Fitzroy Mountain in Los Glacieres Park
I decided to jump in the glacial lake - it was an amazing day!!!
The lower lake of Laguna de los Tres at the foot of the Fitzroy, Argentina
Piedras Blanca Glacier on my last day of my backpack in Los Glacieres
The view down to El Chalten, a small wind worn mountain town, after my hike out of Los Glacieres
An aerial view of the fjords as I fly out of South America high above Chile back home.