Read about Dan’s travels around the world.

A Disasterous Beginning

June 28, 2007
Day 638
Huayna Potosi Climb Part II Day 1

Miguel was a mountain guide who was going to drive in my hostel's car with two clients to Huayna Potosi. He said there would be enough room Nicolas and I in the car, and agreed to take us along for a… Read More »

My New Mountain Plans

June 26-27, 2007
Day 636-637

Climbing Illimani seemed to be out of reach for me, both financially and geographically. When I told Nicolas, a French Canadian guy I met at my hostel a few weeks ago, about my options of either doing one more trek before going to Peru, going to Peru now, or… Read More »

A Frustrating Lack of Info

June 24-25, 2007
Day 634-635

La Paz is already the highest capitol city in the world, but it is dwarfed by Illimani, which at 6439 meters, constantly looms in the background. Whenever I entered the city, the massive mountain always seemed to be beckoning me to climb it, and after talking to a few… Read More »

A Bostonian Reunion

June 23, 2007
Day 633

I was pleasantly surprised the other day when I received an email from an old friend who was in La Paz for the summer. I originally met Kathleen in Antarctica, then saw her again a few times in Buenos Aires and even in Madison, WI. She happened to be… Read More »

A Confusing Return to La Paz

June 22, 2007
Day 632

Today was highlighted by confusing and bad advice. I wanted to go back to La Paz, and everyone I talked to told me a different story about the bus situation. The lady at my hotel told me that there was a bus at noon, and to take it I… Read More »

An Ugly Dredge Mine

June 21, 2007
Day 631
Taquesi Trek Day 3

For once I wasn't freezing all night. I actually found it easy to leave my sleeping bag when dawn finally broke. I started the day by walking about an hour uphill to the horribly ugly town of Chojlla, which was built… Read More »

From the Mountains to the Yungas

June 20, 2007
Day 630
Taquesi Trek Day 2

Last night was bitterly cold. I slept in all of my clothes in my sleeping bag, but I was still cold. I emptied my backpack and put my legs inside, but it didn't help much. This being the tropics, the nights are always about… Read More »

Walking to an Old Mine

June 19, 2007
Day 629
Taquesi Trek Day 1

I got up early today and walked to my supposed departure point as soon as it was light enough to do so. To my delight, there were actually several buses at the intersection, and one of them was even going to Ventilla. The bus… Read More »

Preparations for the Next Trek

June 17-18, 2007
Day 627-628

I decided that my next trek would be the Taquesi Trail, a three-day trek that goes from the mountains to the yungas. I still couldn't find anyone interested in going with me, so I'm going to go alone. I bought food, fuel, a topographical map of the region, and… Read More »

Down to Sorata, Up to La Paz

June 16, 2007
Day 626
Laguna Glaciar Trek Day 4

We got up at dawn again, had breakfast, and took down camp. The walk back to Sorata only took about two hours, and we passed many farming communities along the way. In many remote locations, kids in such villages would ask what my… Read More »