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  • Bikepacking Parque Villarrica – Part 1 – Pucón Chile

    Bikepacking Parque Villarrica – Part 1 – Pucón Chile

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17295″ css=”.vc_custom_1679113363670{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Parque Villarrica” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:center|color:%23f9f9f9|line_height:80px” google_fonts=”font_family:Rock%20Salt%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”Bikepacking “el Sendero de Las Avutardas“ Pucón, Chile” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23f9f9f9″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1554424465126{margin-right: 25px !important;margin-left: 25px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553047827277{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522863410691{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_col-xs-2 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554428110538{padding-top: 4px !important;}” el_class=”smalltext”]

    All of the photos on this page can be purchased for download or print ? Visit store

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    The Freedom of Two Wheels

    Where To Next?

    My plan didn’t really solidify until I arrived in Pucón. I escaped Santiago Chile –a city in the midst of intense fires and high heat. For guidance I had a few basic gpx tracks – but no surefire route. My destiny was uncertain and and my moral low -Bikepacking to the rescue!

    El sendero de las Avutardas

    Looking at OSM maps – El sendero de las Avutardas grabbed my attention. The track traversed Parque Villarrica – passing several large lakes and volcanic cones. The track appeared desolate and remote – meandering along a high volcanic plains along on the border with Argentina.

    Would El sendero de las Avutardas be ridable by bike? And would I be deterred by recent national park closures due to wildfires? There was only one way to find out…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553221444521{border-bottom-width: 40px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554398398459{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][ls_content_block slug=”brendan-james-bio” para=”paragraphs”][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][tags][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553040434877{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553040554697{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”17136″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1554398981252{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1745971414874{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}” min_height=”70vh”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17217″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”800px”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc white”][vc_column_text]

    Santiago Chile

    Land of Fires and Smoke

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]It was the end of January and at the heart of summer in the southern hemisphere. Santiago was in the middle of a blistering heatwave. Daytime temperatures exceeded 100F and fires burned in the mountains.  The lovely cool Mediterranean climate had been replaced by air choked with smog and smoke.

    Across Chile burned enormous fires – authorities in the country were fighting three of the largest fires in history at the same time. CONAF, the Chilean National Park Service had responded by closing all the country’s national parks.l[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554427997089{margin-right: 10px !important;}”]In Santiago I was staying at a friend’s house  in Las Condesas, an up-scale part of the city.  I had made connections with the mountain bike club and was becoming familiar with the local trails which traversed housing developments and high desert.  I had even won a major mountain bike race – held in wine vineyards at the outskirts of the city.

    My mind was not at ease. It had been a month and I had not sorted out the various media from my bikepacking trips in Peru.  The photos were stacking up and the stories weren’t coming.  I had been living out of the bike for almost 3 months. I had no income, all my ATM cards had been shut down and I was running on fumes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1745971057920{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-color: #565656 !important;}”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1554427724582{border-top-width: 5px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;border-top-color: #565656 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;}”][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1554422912247{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

    The Return to Bike-Bum-dom

    With my welcome wearing out at my friends house it was time to get back on the road and embrace the bike-bum lifestyle again. I was not a house dweller – I was a bike dweller! 

    I changed my last $200 in cash for the journey south – we would see how far it would last me.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553126011238{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17117″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    Pucón

    I left Santiago at 11pm on a night bus to Pucón – about 10h ours south of the capital. ($40) The ride was smooth and I awoke at sunrise in the final stretches of road along a forested highway. Below the bus was stowed my rig: a bit slimmed down from bikepacking missions in Peru with less cold-weather gear and a freshly fashioned beer can alcohol stove.

    On the bus ride we had passed through several ecosystems – descending from the hot, desert climate in Santiago through straights of vinyards. in Pucón, you could feel the difference in the air – which had more humidity, everything around was green.

    Pucón was a resort town full of boutiques and people wearing white pants. A cup of coffee was was $3. In the morning light we got our first views of the Villarrica volcano – a glaciated cone, with smoke that rose from it’s summit.

    It was Saturday, and Pucón was choked with foot and car traffic. Everyone seemed to be heading to the mountains on el Circuito Araucanía Lacustre – a scenic highway famed for its Araucaria trees . I felt overwhelmed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522889214749{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”17119″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1554399551255{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;border-left-color: #ffffff !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #ffffff !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-118-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554428699488{padding-right: 10px !important;}”]

    Farm scenery outside of Pucón.
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    A Lot Like Home

    How could a place so far away feel so familiar?

    The green pastures, and wooden barns here in the surroundings of Pucón reminded me a lot of home in Vermont. The mountains below the Villarrica volcano were bulky, steep and green.  I meandered along dirt roads to the back entrance of the National park. The grade was steady, and every time a car passed I would have to stop riding to let the powdery volcanic dust settle.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]I pulled off the highway and walked down to a rushing river for a swim. The nostalgia for home was coming on strong now. Here I was, at the farthest distance I had ever been from home – in the southern hemisphere – now coming full circle – how could a place so far away feel so familiar?

    I made it up to around 1000m and set up camp for the night in a woodlot.  The bugs came on strong and I operated the stove from inside the tent to keep them off. The beer can stove v2 worked a treat – boiling a pot full of water with about 2oz of alcohol.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17127″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1554402937220{background-color: transparent !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1554424541292{margin-top: 100px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: rgba(7,7,7,0.38) !important;*background-color: rgb(7,7,7) !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-6 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-6 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-4″][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]

    Hidden waterfalls

    In the morning I made my way down a steep path through brambles of bamboo following the sound of running water. To my surprise I found an enormous waterfall – at least 10m tall – with it’s rainbow mists filling the morning air. I was grateful that I had left the city.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_empty_space height=”300px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_single_image image=”17138″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image” el_class=”whiteborder”][vc_column_text el_class=”light smalltext”]After paying off the locals I was “free”. I just needed to be on the look out for the odd ranger who might reprimand me for being illegally inside the closed  National park.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554423142106{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]

    The other Entrance Fee

    The logging road dead ended at a gate and small cabin with smoke rosing from the chimney. A woman called out to me from the field. She was a bit unusual, and invited me into the house for a talk – which mostly involved Jesus. She was baking bread in the woodstove and offered me a coffee. Her husband and her had been living off the land for the past few years – building up the cabin.

    With the park closed the only way to get into Villarrica was through their property – and they wanted to charge me. This seemed quite usual here in Chile where everything costed a ton. I argued a bit – but with me in their house, now drinking their coffee – there was no way around it and I paid them 10,000 pesos ($15) to pass.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17219″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554405954840{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]

    A New Ecology

    I followed singletrack up through burned forests of stumps. Massive trees had been laid to waste by a huge wildfire that looked like it had past a few decades back. The land was a mix of bamboo shrubs and towering pines. Nothing about this ecology was familiar to me – all the trees were new.

    Entering the forest I was surrounded by towering cypress and Araucaria trees. -the path sharpened and I began hiking the bike.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_single_image image=”17132″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180221-220-G85″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text]

    Following la ruta de los Avutardes

    The trail kept getting steeper until biking was no longer an option – I laced up the hiking shoes, shifted the weight onto my back and pushed onwards. At ~1500m I broke into a clearing of black ash. Leaving the forest so abruptly it felt like I was stepping into another room.

    The single track was worn deep in florescent grass across rolling hills of volcanic debris. In the distance was the cone of an enormous volcano with patches of winter snow still clinging to its slopes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text]I was only at around 1800m but it felt like I was much higher. The land here was raw like the aplne – the ground was made of sharp black, volcanic rock. Blobs of multi-colored mineral deposits adorned the horizon.  It was clear that the earth here was still very young. I pushed the bike around enormous craters of sand.

    The mountains rose ahead and I carried my loaded bike up the final slope. In the waning sun to the south, were the ripping jagged mountains of Patagonia. To the east rose Volcán Lanín in Argentina – a massive 4000m volcano capped by a large glacier. I mounted the bike and began to ride.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493316115647{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17143″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1554431484904{border-bottom-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-color: #3f3f3f !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]I followed the flowing trail through patches of snow down to the shores of a large lake – the ride was fantastic. The descent, along with the views and the sunset had been exhilarating.  The last bit of sun twinkled on the waters and I watched as a cold shadow crept across the valley. El sendero de las Avutardes had far exceeded my expectations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554425493377{margin-right: 10px !important;}”]The land here was still very new and virgin. You could see how nature was slowly taking over the new earth formed by the volcanoes. The sound of birds filled the air – when dusk came bats swarmed the skies. This was one of the most pristine and natural places I had ever been.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1554428045456{border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 5px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;border-top-color: #3f3f3f !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #3f3f3f !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”17153″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column el_class=”lightc” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1554431216722{margin-top: 30px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8″][vc_column_text]

    Sunset.

    I spent the night alone – I had the entire national park to myself. Tomorrow I would cross the lava field and the horizon towards Argentina. Today I done only 20km today and still had over 60km to ride. I onboard with me 2 days of food. I reveled in the idea of what tomorrow would bring.

    -Brendan

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    Laguna los Patos – Parque Villarrica

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  • Camino Silencio – Bikepacking the Cordillera Negra Peru

    Camino Silencio – Bikepacking the Cordillera Negra Peru

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17402″ css=”.vc_custom_1554844682635{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Camino Silencio” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:center|color:%23f9f9f9|line_height:80px” google_fonts=”font_family:Rock%20Salt%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”Bikepacking the Cordillera Negra Peru” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23f9f9f9″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1554142288937{margin-right: 25px !important;margin-left: 25px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553047827277{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522863410691{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_col-xs-2 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]

    All of the photos on this page can be purchased for download or print ? Visit store

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    El Camino Silencio

    Crossing the Remote and Desolate Cordillera Negra, Peru

    We awoke on the floor of the restaurant when the first guests arrived around 5am. Clinging onto our last moments of sleep we rustled in our sleeping bags as people ate softly behind us. After a bit we dusted ourselves off -rolling up our sleeping bags and packed up the bikes. By this point there were at least 10 people eating  but they hardly gave us a second look.

    Jimbe: the gateway to the high mountains of Peru. The town was the last civilized center and the end of the paved road. The central park had a selection of beautifully pruned topiary figurines – a Peruvian staple.

    jimbe

    Liz and I were at odds with what route to take. Our original plan was to follow a faint track that switchbacked from Jimbe up to the high passes at 15,000ft. We had only been on the bikes 2 days and it seemed a little ambitious. In the end we decided to take a longer route up – by our calculation we would be climbing for the next 2 days. There would be no food, and probably no water so we stocked up…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553221444521{border-bottom-width: 40px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554146601739{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][ls_content_block slug=”expedition-ancash-sidebar” para=”paragraphs”][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][tags][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553040434877{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553040554697{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”17397″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1554843999884{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid ids=”17390,17393,17391″ thumbs_spacing=10 row_height=450 height_deviation=100 orderby=menu_order max_rows=1 last_row=hide disable_cropping=no][/jig_vc][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553126011238{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553290079682{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]

    Bikepacking the Cordillera Negra

    “It’s all uphill from here”

    Liz was not feeling well, she was used to excelling on the bicycle –and with the added weight of the bikepacking rig I could tell she was out of her comfort zone. She dipped into her easiest gear and fell back on the climb.

    We cut along a deep vallies, all the while ascending before encountering our first steep switchbacks in the road. Elevation 6,000ft.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522889214749{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”17395″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-118-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1554844042850{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;border-left-color: #ffffff !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #ffffff !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554737711888{margin-right: 20px !important;}”]

    Just buckle up and do it. – Liz Sampey

    [/vc_column_text][jig_vc][/jig_vc][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]Arriving in the small town of Lampanín we looked up at the road ahead: it zig-zagged as far as we could see on bare, shade-less slopes – joining with the horizon and into the unknown. We visited the tienda in town to escape the sun and ordered up a liter of beer. It was high-noon. Outside, dogs perched in small puddles of shade. A few goat herders wandered through town – the sound of television sets floated up from the tin homes. Siesta time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]Inside was a dread that neither of us wanted to talk about. Lampanín was the last point on our map. Our next re-supply wouldn’t be for at least 3 days of climbing ton the 15,000ft passes of the Cordillera Negra. I knew we would be fine, but we were both stuck in the last moments of apprehension before taking the jump. About 3pm we headed out – water bottles full, up the switchbacks to the mountains.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493316115647{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”15737″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”70vh”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    The Dead Zone

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]The sun lowered in the sky as we climbed and around us the mountains began to gain definition – their ragged slopes and rippling ridges spread in stacked layers on the horizon. Above us, enormous peaks came into view – rocky, black, ominous. The black mountain range: La Cordillera Negra.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553479522583{margin-right: 10px !important;}”]The only traffic we saw on the road was a taxi driver who cheerfully pulled over and jumped out of his car for a conversation. He told us the road went to Huaylas – which was good news. He told us that it was camino silencio -a silent road used by only by the occasional maintenance workers as access remote mountain reservoirs. We continued on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553119970777{background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_single_image image=”17392″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_single_image image=”17394″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-118-G85″ el_class=”whiteborder”][vc_column_text el_class=”light smalltext”] A young child was wandering around half dressed eating chicken poop off the ground – he offered me some stuck to the tip of his small finger, I declined.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”15659″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image” el_class=”whiteborder”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553479650303{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]

    Quilcoy – a Small Town in the Foothills of the Andes

    After camping at 8,000ft we headed out the next morning. The air was pleasant and cool -we continued the climb. We came to an intersection with a sign for a place called Quilcay – an out-and-back not that was not on our map. We gambled, figuring that it might be a good resupply and headed up.

    The altitude was beginning to effect us. In Quilcoy I was dazed and stumbled into a school for shade. I talked to a traveling teacher who made the 5hr drive twice a week to teach the handful of kids that lived there. She was a bit in a hurry, and eagerly awaiting the bus that would come and pick her up that day – and tame her back down to civilization. Outside in the mid-day sun the town was a cacophony of animals: dogs, sheep, goats, chickens and pigs scampered around.

    We bought some eggs off the locals and I had the stove going outside to boil them. Liz and I were feeling the elevation – the last two days we had not done that much distance but we had climbed over 10,000ft. I was ready to either get moving or take a nap. The women of the town poked out of their houses and eventually came to talk to us – they said the men were coming back from the fields soon and invited us for lunch. “when?” we asked – “in a little bit”. We both waited for what seemed like hours.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text el_class=”light”]When the men arrived they were a bit more reserved than the others, giving us a few shy nods before dipping into a low doorway for lunch. The women invited us in.  Their home was made of crude adobe – with slivers of light cutting through the bricks in the walls. The ceiling was stained black from smoke. On the television played telenovelas – whose white actors and made-up faces beckoned like a glimmering portal to a culture a world away.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text el_class=”light”]Over a delicious plate of of steamed potatoes and rice the men told us that there was a trail that left from town – crossing the high mountains. That same phrase came up again “Camino Silencio” which they used to refer to the pass to Huaylas. Very few people go there, and the men said they had said they had never gone. So we still didn’t know what lied ahead for us…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_single_image image=”15743″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180221-220-G85″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text]

    Following “el Camino Silencio”

    The women refused our payment – repeatedly, and with a whirlwind of thanks and group photos we were on our way -pushing our bikes up the slopes out of town. The road ended and we found ourselves on our first trail of the trip – too steep to bike. We encountered several sections of rock steps and made our way around an out-cropping along a cliff. A woman trailed us with a horse below -keeping her distance. Perhaps she was keeping an eye on us?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text]The trail mellowed and we got in brief moments of riding which brought some joy for the first time in a few days. It was much more rocky here  – and the mountains ahead rose in huge vertical cliffs forming a passage.. The light was fading. We were at 13,000ft and it was getting cold. It was clear that we had entered a new environment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553221858574{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”15667″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”55vh”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid ids=”15668, 15666, 17396″ thumbs_spacing=10 row_height=300 height_deviation=100 margin=5px orderby=menu_order max_rows=1 disable_cropping=no][/jig_vc][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554737753878{margin-left: 20px !important;}”]

    Sunset

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]The sunset started slowly, colors growing warmer. We layered up preparing for the cold to come. We were quite high now and in the desert below us showered golden rays of light cutting across the coastal plains it’s sub-ranges, mountains and ravines. It was clear the ocean -some 13,000ft below where we had started 3 days before. The sun dipped into the  shimmering horizon.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553222608042{margin-right: 10px !important;}”]In the afterglow everything was gold. The light faded from crimson to violet and indigo – stacked in layers all the while shifting with rays of residual light. We both agreed this was the most fantastic sunset we had ever seen and were frozen in awe.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1553221878794{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_speed_bg=”1.2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_single_image image=”15669″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1553124594201{border: 5px solid #ffffff !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1553125157104{background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1553224426854{background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_column_text]

    Entering the Aline (a Familiar Place)

    Off the beaten track Liz and I immediately felt more at home and relaxed. Everything we had carted across the desert seemed less impractical now. We set up camp and bundled up in the cold. For dinner we had hastily prepared sandwich of hard boiled eggs and bread sprinkled with ají. The journey had begun. We had entered the Andes…

    – #expeditionancash

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    One of the few places in the world where the sun sets below you. Camp at 13,000ft with views down to the Pacific. |?

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  • Coast to Jimbe – Bikepacking the Peruvian Coast

    Coast to Jimbe – Bikepacking the Peruvian Coast

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”15601″ css=”.vc_custom_1553281468563{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”From the Coast” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23f9f9f9″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”Expedition Ancash Day 1″ font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23f9f9f9″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1554137406409{margin-right: 25px !important;margin-left: 25px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553047827277{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522863410691{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_col-xs-2 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]All of the photos on this page can be purchased for download or print ? Visit store[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1522975589935{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1522975656647{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_tweetmeme share_via=”picsporadic” css=”.vc_custom_1554138317106{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1522975582023{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”][views] [comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1553292169821{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-8 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text el_class=”light”]

    Peru.

    Bikepacking from the western coast to the foothills of the Cordillera Negra

    We stand on the side of the Pan-American highway near the fishing port of Samanco – this wasn’t an official bus stop -we were at an intersection of roads. To the west: across myriad of sand dunes was the Pacific ocean, to the east was our objective: The Cordillera Negra who’s shadowy peaks towered at 16,000ft above sea level. It was hot. Our first feelings: scattered, doubtful, apprehensive.

    After 3 days of travel we were here, carrying everything we would need for the next 40 days on the bike. “I brought too much stuff” Liz stated, fumbling around trying to lash a few last-minute objects to her bike. Inside I feared the same. We had not had time to do a test run – this was it.

    In reality there was no way for us to prepare for the journey that lied ahead. A tour of the Ancash State: home to both sweltering desert and the amazon basin perforated by the second highest mountain range on earth and remote glacial passes. This is a limit to what you can carry on a bicycle after all. When we lifted our 70lb bikes off the bus in Samanco the task of crossing the Andes felt overwhelming and far. -[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553221444521{border-bottom-width: 40px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text][ls_content_block slug=”expedition-ancash-sidebar” para=”paragraphs”][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554153229084{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][tags][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553040554697{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”15595″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1553040632391{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid ids=15597,15602,15599 thumbs_spacing=10 row_height=450 height_deviation=100 orderby=menu_order max_rows=1 disable_cropping=no][/jig_vc][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    Expedition Ancash

    40 Days Bikepacking in the Peruvian Andes

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]Our plan was grand: A massive tour of the Ancash State in northern Peru – a region as diverse as the country featuring a wide variety of ecosystems.

    We would start in the western desert – crossing the Cordillera Negra (16k feet) as a warm up for the high passes of the Cordillera Blanca (23k feet) before dropping to Yanama on the western frontier with the Amazon.

    The idea was dreamed up after countless hours going through photos with Liz from my previous trip: Expedicion ANP. “we have to go back” told her. I longed to share the vast and rugged landscapes of Peru – The country had always had a special place in my heart, and left so much to be discovered.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553242122067{margin-right: 10px !important;}”]We resolved to travel on as much trail as possible – taking with us some seriously capable full suspension bikes. The last time I had been here I remember longing to go more off-road and penetrate deeper into the Andes. This was our chance.

    I knew of few people would be up for a trip of such magnitude. Liz had outperformed me many times with her capacity for endurance in our Volcanarchy expedition in Guatemala and our past year racing together. I was confident in our ability to problem solve and “not freak out” when the times got tough and looked forward to us getting lost together (just a bit).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_single_image image=”15593″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text]The Ancash department stretches from the western coast to the eastern amazon basin. Within its bounds are two mega ranges: The Cordillera Negra (black) and the Cordillera Blanca (white) – with some of the highest peaks in the world including Mt Huascarán at 22,000ft. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    Gateway to the Cordillera Negra

    Land of Sugarcane and Searing Heat

    We cross the blistering coastal plains following a large river eddy – a ribbon of green with a backdrop of barren landscapes in all directions. The mountains here are rocky, adorned with scrubby cactus’ and boulders. The land is raw stretching upwards to the craggy horizon of the Cordillera Negra and it feels as if we riding through and enormous construction site. Mounds of rock and riffraff as far as you can see – the discarded building blocks of the Andes.

    It’s hot – it is not yet noon and temperatures are already above 100°F. Double semis rattle past with overloaded cargo of sugarcane. I can feel my skin blistering. We down water and keep the pace up to ensure airflow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_single_image image=”15604″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-118-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1553048353076{margin-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”15623″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1553280697641{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”70vh”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553292143561{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]

    San Jacinto and the Ruins of Punkurí

    All the water in this part of Peru is used for the irrigation of cash crops. Peru in general is a very dry place. Water courses through concrete irrigation locks like veins that spider out across the plains. All water here is privately owned and controlled feeding industrial operations of sugarcane, and fruit trees.

    We pass through the town of San Jacinto – home of a large sugar processing plant. I ponder as I have many times the incredible waste of the sugar industry absorbing incalculable quantities of water and energy to produce a product that is borderline toxic.

    Eager to take a rest – we stop at a roadside archeological site – sponsored by the sugar company. After looking around for a while we find the guardian – who was a bit spooked to see us.

    Inside was large map illustrating the spread of the Inca civilization with hundreds of ruins throughout the area. Human remains have been found in this area dating over 5,000 years old. Some 2,000 years ago people worshiped around a pyramid at this site with large sculpture of a bloated cartoon-like puma. Strange.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_single_image image=”15608″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1553038681386{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180219-543-G85″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]

    It’s hard to cross such dry landscape without thinking about water. –

    Levels were seriously low at this reservoir.
    [/vc_column_text][jig_vc][/jig_vc][vc_single_image image=”15607″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180219-257-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1553048364432{margin-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553280596639{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 40px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”15606″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1553038105269{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180221-220-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553047649103{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Taking some shade visiting the ruins of Punkurí

    [/vc_column_text][jig_vc][justified_image_grid ids=15615,15616,15617 margin=5px][/jig_vc][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”15609″ parallax_speed_bg=”1.2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”500px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    Our First Views of the Dark Mountains

    Past San Jacinto the road turns to dirt and steepens. We begin switchbacking and the load of the bikes becomes more apparent. Emotion, however rises as we climb higher returning back the natural environment after days in transit – no more city!

    We climb to 2,000ft then 4,000ft -the light wanes and the temperature cools. The humid haze from the hot coast clears and we can take in the views – which are getting greener. – Cows graze in pastures and pine trees dot the landscape.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_single_image image=”15631″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180222-149-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1553118064577{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”15630″ parallax_speed_bg=”1.2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1553044566471{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”500px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553044822667{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.44) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”]

    Our day began at sea level and climbed to the high desert. The light in this part of Peru is golden the sand in the atmosphere catching the glow of the Pacific. ? Purchase
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1553046251867{background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1553046080167{background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553292207190{margin-right: 10px !important;}”]

    Jimbe – el. 5200ft

    We reach the small town of Jimbe by dusk – the mountains of the Cordillera Negra catch the last light of day filtered red through atmosphere of the desert. The light lingers and shifts from marigold to crimson to violet and indigo. We search out a place to eat.

    Children whisper, scampering in the shadows behind us. Locals give us second looks as we rock our two-wheeled steeds through the town. We knock on the only restaurant we can find. “La Caravana” and order up a dinner – then a second. In the corner of the room are two old men drinking from a liter of beer  watching the violent noticias on the television from the city. Outside we can hear the children whispering among themselves – urging each other to get a look at the two gringos through the window.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1553280768907{background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”15625″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1553043665953{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180222-608-G85″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    “Tranquilo”

    I go over to talk to the two men watching television.  The oldest is sitting hunched in his chair – his hand balanced on a cane. He tells me he was former teacher and owner of the restaurant. His son in law keeps the cup full of beer for him as he talks. “I’ve traveled all over” he says. “I grew up here – and crossed all of Peru by motorcycle in the 60’s”. When I tell him our plans to camp in the fields outside of town he tells us that is unnecessary -and invites us to sleep on right on the floor of the restaurant!

    I order up a beer and listen intently as the man continues on his life story. “I was in San Fransisco in the 70’s” he tells me “I lived in the U.S for 5 years, my children are there now.” -He gazes at the flickering TV screen. Murder, violence, calamity traverse airways from Lima, far away on evening news. “But I came back here to my home” he says “Jimbe is a tranquil place.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553226419476{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;}”]Outside in the darkness the children cup their hands over their faces against dark glass window to get a better look inside. I tell the man about our plan to cross the Cordillera Negra and that we hadn’t quite settled on a route.

    “I went up there years ago” he said. “es un camino silencio” (a silent road) – “there is nothing up there.” He told us it is a full day’s ride to Huaylas on motorbike -which means 2-3 days for us on bicycles.

    I think about the mountains outside – no lights dot their slopes, there slopes black silhouetted in the darkness – cold and quiet. “Camino Silencio”. Would we find water up there? Would there be any re-supply? Or would we need to take everything with us for the next 3 days: crank-stroke by crank-stroke up to 15,000ft?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1553280797660{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”15598″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1553043551423{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/Guatemala-171220-099-G85-HDR”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553118135560{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Scoping out a camping spot for the night near the fishing village of Los Chimus on the Pacific coast. |?

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1553224331325{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;}” el_class=”darkc”][vc_column el_class=”darkc” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_text_separator title=”Gallery” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”gallerytext” css=”.vc_custom_1553281638838{margin-right: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid preset=c2 rml_id=373][/jig_vc][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553281786047{margin-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]

    View Full Gallery

    [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”white” border_width=”2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1554178118009{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”light”]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1554178130200{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-1 vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1554178154654{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_tweetmeme share_via=”picsporadic”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1553221985918{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1553221967837{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1553221951013{border-top-width: 2px !important;border-right-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-left-width: 2px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-left-style: none !important;border-right-style: none !important;border-top-style: none !important;border-bottom-style: none !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-3 vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1553126493581{padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”14941″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522898070361{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522897768129{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Like what you read?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]The best way you can support the work I do is through purchasing photos and prints on this site.

    I love seeing my photos in print!

    All photos here are available in high resolution – they can be downloaded and printed at up to 48in on the longest side. Prices start at $2.99

    Check out the store for more: www.picsporadic.com/digital[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Big Mountain MTB Tour – Guatemala

    Big Mountain MTB Tour – Guatemala

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1522863082502{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text][rev_slider_vc alias=”big-mountain-post” el_class=”topslider”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490815124103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522863410691{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_col-xs-2 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]

    All of the photos on this page can be purchased for download or print ? Visit store

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1522975589935{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1522975656647{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1522975582023{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext”]

    [views]  [comments]

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1522815957968{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-7 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493253569498{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”A visit to Guatemala” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alfa%20Slab%20One%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_custom_heading text=”Volcanoes, valleys, and Mayan culture with Big Mountain Bike Adventures” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23e8e8e8|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text el_class=”light”]Back at it again! For this trip I had the opportunity to guide and photograph a new multi-day travel itinerary for Whistler based Big Mountain Bike Adventures. While juggling roles I got to snap some great pictures and introduce my favorite country to a group of pretty rad female riders. Vámonos.

    This 6-day mountain bike mega itinerary put together in conjunction with Old Town Outfitters connected the highlands in a grand traverse which included the 3,976m summit of Volcán de Acatenango – the forests of Tecpán and beautiful Lake Atitlán. Ambitious in scope, the trip was sure to impress – but where the ladies up for it?[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”The Land of Eternal Spring” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23e8e8e8|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_single_image image=”13478″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1551668851668{margin-top: 20px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/guatemala-aerial-180325-001-dji/”][vc_column_text el_class=”light”]The climate in this part of Guatemala is characterized by cool, clear weather with temps from 4-25°C – perfect for biking. Flowers bloom year-round here and sunrise and sunset give predictable 12 hour days.

    Coming from the heart of the Canadian winter a trip to Antigua can be a refreshing change of climate – however, many of the riders had not been on the bike in months. No fear! We spent the first few days warming up and planned to maximize our downhills using creative shuttling enduro-style.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”13710″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1551668789837{margin-top: 20px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/guatemala-aerial-180325-001-dji/”][vc_custom_heading text=”A wealth of Trails to Explore” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23e8e8e8|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text el_class=”light”]Antigua is situated in a valley of valleys with elevations ranging from 1,500-2,700m above sea level. Agriculturally rich, most crops here are planted and harvested by hand. It’s easy for the mountain biker’s mind to wander admiring the patchwork of fields that dot the landscape, most of which are interconnected by ancient footpaths and horse trails. Just point and go![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”14831″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1522888992020{margin-top: 20px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/guatemala-aerial-180325-001-dji/”][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1522879880914{border-bottom-width: 40px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1522872929891{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;border-top-width: 2px !important;border-right-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-left-width: 2px !important;background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;border-left-color: #606060 !important;border-left-style: none !important;border-right-color: #606060 !important;border-right-style: none !important;border-top-color: #606060 !important;border-top-style: none !important;border-bottom-color: #606060 !important;border-bottom-style: none !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-8 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-8″ css=”.vc_custom_1522960856869{margin-top: 5px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Brendan James” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23c9c9c9|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]Adventure photographer, athlete and bike guide based in Antigua, Guatemala. Full bio[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-4″ css=”.vc_custom_1522873767410{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”4281″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/bio”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Thank you to:” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:center|color:%23dddddd|line_height:18px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522818020611{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;}”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1522873952061{margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;border-top-width: 2px !important;border-right-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-left-width: 2px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;border-left-color: #606060 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #606060 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #606060 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #606060 !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1522816214639{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”14839″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522898016497{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;}” link=”http://www.ridebig.com”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522816887069{margin-top: 20px !important;padding-left: 7px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-9 vc_col-xs-9″][vc_custom_heading text=”Big Mountain Bike Adventures” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23c9c9c9|line_height:18px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]The leader in guided mountain bike adventures to global destinations.  www.ridebig.com
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1522816226310{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”14840″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522897999669{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;}” link=”http://www.adventureguatemala.com”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522817639476{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 7px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-9 vc_col-md-8 vc_col-xs-9″][vc_custom_heading text=”Old Town Outfitters” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23c9c9c9|line_height:18px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]Pioneers of Guatemala’s finest mountain bike rides and backcountry tours. adventureguatemala.com
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Gallery” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:right|color:%23ffffff|line_height:40px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522872747287{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid row_height=150 height_deviation=100 caption=off margin=5px orderby=rand limit=30 max_rows=7 last_row=hide recent_posts=yes recents_filter_tax=collection recents_filter_term=big-mountain-2017 recents_post_type=sell_media_item][/jig_vc][vc_column_text]

    View full gallery

    [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Recent Posts” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20px|text_align:right|color:%23878787|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522872760595{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid row_height=100 caption=fade caption_opacity=1 caption_bg_color=109,76,52,0.8 caption_text_color=white caption_title_size=12px v_center_captions=yes specialfx=everything specialfx_type=desaturate orderby=menu_order max_rows=2 recent_posts=yes recents_description=nicetime][/jig_vc][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493229127906{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1522873382707{margin-top: 60px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”13552″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522902125972{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Crossing the legendary “puente del trunco”  – El Zur bike park. | ?

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493092617192{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column video_bg=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1551669363319{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/EA7vWtwl2ak”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1521333375887{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Shutting in the dusty jungle – El Zur Bike Park – Esquintla, Guatemala[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493310876032{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493313751677{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”El Zur” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23606060|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alfa%20Slab%20One%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_custom_heading text=”A Private Jungle Bike Park” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]Situated on the southern side of Volcán de Agua (3,760 m), El Zur has a unique micro-climate relying on the coastal rain and fog from the Pacific a mere 50km away. The area is a unique place to see old growth forest, enormous trees, and a variety of wildlife.

    Old Town Outfitters operates a 20km trail that snakes its way down the volcano crossing dry volcanic lava flows, switchbacking through steep ravines and floating through the forest.

    Our day began with an hour-long drive by car from Antigua followed by a white-knuckle shuttle ride up the volcano on 4×4 trails. At the top was an impressive clearing with views of the neighboring Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522889214749{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”13515″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-118-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1522902674114{padding-left: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]

    The crew lined up and ready to go at the top of the first run.

    [/vc_column_text][jig_vc][/jig_vc][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522806992305{background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid thumbs_spacing=10 row_height=200 height_deviation=100 title_field=caption caption=off mobile_caption=off caption_opacity=1 caption_bg_color=rgba(0,0,0,0.0) caption_text_color=grey caption_align=center lightbox=attachment margin=3px orderby=title_asc last_row=hide aspect_ratio=1/1 disable_cropping=no rml_id=174 rml_lightbox_groups=no rml_breadcrumb=no][/jig_vc][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1521471400649{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Riding in El Zur is unlike any place in North America – with enormous trees vines and patches of wild bannana trees.
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493092617192{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column video_bg=”yes” video_bg_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upNHngzJheI” video_bg_parallax=”content-moving” css=”.vc_custom_1553129757587{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12 vc_hidden-xs”][vc_empty_space height=”80vh”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1521335091532{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Checking out the salsa band at Las Palmas[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1522809699289{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493409656577{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Antigua, Guatemala” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:40px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alfa%20Slab%20One%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_custom_heading text=”Guatemala’s Colonial past” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]The sights and sounds of Antigua bring you into another time. The city – a UNESCO world heritage site – is rich in Spanish colonial history and scattered with ruins, remnants of various natural disasters since its foundation in the 16th century. Everyday life here involves the bustle of street carts, mopeds, moto-taxis and campesinos carrying goods on their backs through town.

    Our first few days we explored the city and environs by bikes, connecting ancient footpaths and agricultural trails to vistas high above the town. It’s easy to get out around here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522808875009{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”13640″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180219-257-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1522901990004{padding-left: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553129796591{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]Lined up in front of the 17th century ruins of San Cristobal | ? [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1522808491038{background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”13703″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1521770443493{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180219-585-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901941829{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Rider Candace Shadley on a dusty and dry trail shred in the hills above Antigua, Guatemala |?

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522808573384{background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”14782″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522878606510{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-550-G85″][vc_column_text]

    Post-ride refreshment break on the side of the highway. 

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522808645778{background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”13699″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1521770225534{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180219-543-G85″][vc_column_text]

    Kevin peak-a-boo.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493316115647{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493409656577{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”“This is not like the riding in Canada“” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]One thing was a consensus among the riders: this wasn’t like any of the riding up north. Dry sandy volcanic soil, loose corners, and a raw element that the groomed trails of Canada will never have! With our teeth cut on the local terrain it was time to make moves.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Bikinis and Down Jackets” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]On day three, we packed our belongings for the ascent of Volcán de Acatenango, leaving Antigua for 4 days of bike travel across the country. The logistics were a bit complicated: a third of our luggage would go up to high camp at 3,500m on the volcano, carried by a team of porters on their backs. Another third including the bikes would go up in two heavily loaded 4×4 trucks, while the last bit would go directly to our next destination in Tecpán.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522902699485{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”13715″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180220-001-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901809775{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Preparing the bikes for the climb. |?
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493323224936{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”14904″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”500px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493323224936{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493314771844{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”13718″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522878735490{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180220-010-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901797231{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    The twin summits of Acatenango are a captivating site as seen from the Antigua valley. The volcano rises 2500 vertical meters like a wall. |?
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1522809113998{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522809077799{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Volcán Acatenango (3976m)” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alfa%20Slab%20One%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522809278378{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Camping at the top of Guatemala” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23e8e8e8|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522817015447{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522962436147{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Fuego erupts quite regularly – but not always. The last time I was up here at night was for Volcanarchy.  I remember staying up through the night trying to catch a photo with lava and the stars – I came back empty handed. On this trip with Big Mountain, the mood of the mountain was quite different – to the point where loud eruptions made it hard to sleep with smoke and lava and landslides crashing through the night. Camping next to this force of nature was truly a planetary experience.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Descent” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23e8e8e8|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522820834029{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1522962589679{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]We awoke before sunrise – a loud boom from Volcán de Fuego rousing us from our tents like groundhogs popping up our heads to get a peak at the action. Lava and catapulting rock set off landslides tumbling onto the ravines below. The porters got the fire lit in the dawn light as we prepared breakfast. Today would be the largest day of the trip, starting at our camp on the volcano and finishing in the forests of Tecpán about 70km away.

    We rolled out of camp and began the 2,000m descent. Traversing above the tree line before cutting down the ash-filled slopes of the volcano. Down and down – with views of the Volcán de Agua and the Antigua valley below. At this speed, the forest becomes a blur of changing micro-climates, transitioning from alpine pines to thick cloud forest, vines, tropical vegetation and eventually finishing in a plantation of peach trees and coffee.

    Grinning and still catching our breath we load up the shuttle for the next stage…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”13783″ width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1522821043643{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;background-image: url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BIGMTN-180221-005-G85.jpg?id=13783) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522828466715{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]

    ? The power of Volcán de Fuego  |? Purchase
    [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”500px”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522810073407{padding: 5px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid thumbs_spacing=10 row_height=200 height_deviation=100 title_field=caption caption=off mobile_caption=off caption_opacity=1 caption_bg_color=rgba(0,0,0,0.0) caption_text_color=grey caption_align=center lightbox=attachment margin=3 last_row=hide aspect_ratio=1/1 rml_id=172 rml_lightbox_groups=no][/jig_vc][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522810119501{background-color: #141414 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”13779″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522799440314{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180220-339-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901760541{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]Watching stars and trading stories around the campfire. It took 11 porters to carry our supplies to highcamp and many spent the night with us on the volcano. | ?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”14793″ parallax_speed_bg=”1.2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”440px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901697115{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.44) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”]

    Milky Way over Volcán de Agua and the lights of Alotenango – 3am  |? Purchase
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493323224936{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493314771844{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”13846″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522879023022{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180221-220-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522903684530{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Wily Quino riding off in the morning from camp on Volcán Acatenango |?

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493316115647{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522821790120{background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”13918″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180221-839-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1522903094574{padding: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522903133503{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Penny Cameron riding among the thistle. |?
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1493409675120{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_custom_heading text=”High Alpine Traverse” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]A few weeks prior I had been out scouting the route of the tour. Rural Guatemala is a spiderweb of footpaths, canyons and ravines. In effort to bypass the panamerican highway we followed an ancient footpath along a high alpine ridge. Unfortunately, the trail was overgrown and required a substantial hike-a-bike / bushwhack to make the connection.

    We returned with machetes to clear the trail: it took 5 men the better part of a day to clear back the dense forest. But the result was a trail few people knew about. I was eager not only to share this spot but also to ride it for the first time (truly ride it) by bike.

    The trail is an aesthetic line that connects two mountain with views in all directions from an alpine meadow. This is Adventure MTB at it’s finest.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]A few weeks prior I had been out scouting the route of the tour. Rural Guatemala is a spiderweb of footpaths, canyons and ravines. In effort to bypass the panamerican highway we followed an ancient footpath along a high alpine ridge. Unfortunately, the trail was overgrown and required a substantial hike-a-bike / bushwhack to make the connection.

    We returned with machetes to clear the trail: it took 5 men the better part of a day to clear back the dense forest. But the result was a trail few people knew about. I was eager not only to share this spot but also to ride it for the first time (truly ride it) by bike.

    The trail is an aesthetic line that connects two mountain with views in all directions from an alpine meadow. This is Adventure MTB at it’s finest.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1522821719213{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid thumbs_spacing=10 row_height=150 height_deviation=200 title_field=caption caption=off mobile_caption=off caption_opacity=1 caption_bg_color=rgba(0,0,0,0.0) caption_text_color=grey caption_align=center lightbox=attachment margin=5 limit=4 last_row=hide rml_id=173 rml_lightbox_groups=no][/jig_vc][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1522874901132{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”13959″ parallax_speed_bg=”1.2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_empty_space height=”500px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493313751677{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Kingdom of the Kaqchikel Maya” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]Located at 2,100m in a forested region above Lake Atitlán, Tecpán is home to Iximché, a former Mayan metropolis from the post-classic period (300AD). The kingdom was violently overthrown by the Spanish in the 1500s. Conquest proved difficult because of the city’s strategic location atop a cliff band in the center of a canyon.

    Later on, although briefly, the Spanish established their first capital in the region. It is also said that Guatemala gets its name from the Mexican Náhuatl translators the Spanish had with them, who interpreted the Maya K’iche’ word for “between the trees” as Quauhtemallan or “place of many trees”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522902758411{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_single_image image=”13971″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180222-149-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1522902767682{padding-left: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901649187{padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    A Mayan priest performs a fire ceremony at Ixcimché | ?
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”14907″ parallax_speed_bg=”1.2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1522897531758{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”500px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522827256485{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.44) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”]

    Local guide Alex explains the history of the ruins. ? Purchase
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1522893193416{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493409656577{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lake Atitlán” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:40px” google_fonts=”font_family:Alfa%20Slab%20One%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_custom_heading text=”Finishing at a caldera in the sky” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]The greatest treat of this tour for me was being able to show the Big Mountain group one of my favorite places to ride in Guatemala: Lake Atitlán. The trails here are technical, rocky, and steep, with volcanic views that make it hard to keep your eyes on the handlebars!  This supervolcanic crater is steep in all directions with 1,000 to 2,000m downhills – I always find a new challenge when riding the raw trails here.

    We shuttled up to the town of San Andrés, home to pine forests and agricultural trails that sweep down through cornfields and onto tight streets. Children scream and wave as we roll through town. We break at a stunning lookout where paragliders launch into thermal drafts, taking off at 2,000m.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”14003″ img_size=”large” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180222-256-G85″][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]We finished our last ride on the legendary Santa Catarina trail: nearly 1,000m of rocky downhill that follows an aqueduct along a cliff above the lake. Technical riding that is demanding to the very end, finishing through the stepped streets of town.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522826282733{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background: #f4f4f4 url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BIGMTN-180222-645-G85.jpg?id=14092) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493323224936{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493314771844{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”13977″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522890500937{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180222-164-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901621298{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]First views of Lake Atitán. Rider Cathy Jewett descends dusty singletrack above San Andres This is mtbguatemala.  | ?
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493409190465{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493409688645{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”14058″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1521333601870{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180222-501-G85″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522901607887{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Candace Shadley riding the Urban downhill in the tight streets of Santa Catarina Palopó |?
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493316115647{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522894091802{background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”14078″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522891350388{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180222-608-G85″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493409656577{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”We made it” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Advent%20Pro%3A100%2C200%2C300%2Cregular%2C500%2C600%2C700|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]On the shore of the lake, the late-day sun glistens on the water. We are on the last part of the ride, following a path along the beach. Brightly colored stands and vendors line the sidewalks in Panajachel, their calls and whistles merge into a collage of sound as we ride by.

    One of the most enjoyable aspects of riding in Latin America is passing through markets like this. The stimulation and stolen glances of the people, the men playing cards, the children laughing as you roll past. “This place is incredible”, I hear someone mutter.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522902797867{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1553129892494{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;}”]It’s another beautiful day in Guatemala and our 6-day ride has come to an end. Tomorrow, we’ll spend the day resting at Casa Del Mundo, a cliff-side hotel with nothing to do but watch the light change, fading through its spectrum at the end of the day.

    In a little while, our guests will go back to skiing in the northern hemisphere with nothing but memories and sun-tans to show for their time spent here in Guatemala. I can only hope that they come back some day and we can ride a little more. We have just scratched the surface of the riding here and there is still much more to discover.

    -Brendan James

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493229127906{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493409747415{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #f4f4f4 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”12572″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”.vc_custom_1522822392518{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/Guatemala-171220-099-G85-HDR”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522903294711{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]

    Sunsets here linger for hours at Lake Atitlán. At 2,000m the horizon glows long after the sun sinks past the volcanoes. |?

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1493266731151{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493409798261{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Gallery” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”gallerytext” css=”.vc_custom_1493266781501{margin-right: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493266954426{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid row_height=230 height_deviation=100 mobile_row_height=120 caption=off mobile_caption=off orderby=rand max_rows=12 last_row=hide load_more=click initially_load=12 recent_posts=yes recents_filter_tax=collection recents_filter_term=big-mountain-2017 recents_post_type=sell_media_item][/jig_vc][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1522896337874{margin-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]

    View Full Gallery

    [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”white” border_width=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1493268745972{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;}”][vc_column width=”3/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522868110217{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1522898035693{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-1 vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1522898046828{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1493266731151{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522897446650{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #efefef !important;}”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1522897400184{border-top-width: 2px !important;border-right-width: 2px !important;border-bottom-width: 2px !important;border-left-width: 2px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;border-left-style: none !important;border-right-style: none !important;border-top-style: none !important;border-bottom-style: none !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-3 vc_col-xs-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1553129921397{padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”14941″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1522898070361{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1522897768129{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Like what you read?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%233f3f3f|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]The best way you can support the work I do is through purchasing photos and prints on this site.

    I love seeing my photos in print!

    All photos here are available in high resolution – they can be downloaded and printed at up to 48in on the longest side. Prices start at $2.99

    Check out the store for more: www.picsporadic.com/digital[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Santa Cruz del Quiché

    Santa Cruz del Quiché

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1490762202135{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column][rev_slider_vc alias=”santa-cruz-quiche” el_class=”topslider”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490815124103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815222765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_col-xs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815241577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-1″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815419789{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815164429{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text][comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1493406324483{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-7 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1554179081076{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]

    Santa Cruz Del Quiché

    A Modern Mayan City

    Originally founded in the fifteenth century as the K’iche’ capital of K’umarcaaj Santa Cruz del Quiché was one of the first major cities and department heads of Guatemala. The city lies in the southwestern Chuacús Mountains at an elevation of 6,631 feet (2,021m). The town also functions as a market center for the Indian villages in the vicinity.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4189″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” style=”vc_box_border” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1554179109744{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

    I was in Quiché for Día Internacional de los Trabajadores – Joining the Escarabajos Cycling club for an epic in the mountains above the city.  Luckily I didn’t spend all my time taking pictures of mountain biking as this small city has so much to offer!

    [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4196″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” style=”vc_box_border” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1554179122570{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1493316614176{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Gallery” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:right|color:%23ffffff|line_height:40px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid row_height=150 height_deviation=100 orderby=rand max_rows=7 last_row=hide rml_id=357][/jig_vc][vc_custom_heading text=”Recent Posts” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20px|text_align:right|color:%23878787|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1493406765360{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-right: 30px !important;}”][vc_separator color=”chino”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid preset=c4 row_height=100 caption=fade caption_opacity=1 caption_bg_color=109,76,52,0.8 caption_text_color=white caption_title_size=12px v_center_captions=yes specialfx=everything specialfx_type=desaturate orderby=menu_order max_rows=2 recent_posts=yes recents_description=nicetime][/jig_vc][vc_custom_heading text=”Tags” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:20px|text_align:right|color:%23939393|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1493406979788{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-right: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text][tags][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493323224936{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493314771844{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”4210″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image” css=”.vc_custom_1494450749395{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1494450815273{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]6am – and the street market is already begining to take shape in Santa Cruz del Quiché Guatemala
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493092617192{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493254182379{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Video:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1494452359209{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][rev_slider_vc alias=”quiche-embed-video”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493092617192{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493254182379{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1494437537370{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Sights and sounds abound in the markets of Quiché – Watch Full Video on Youtube
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493229127906{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493314217113{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”4202″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1554179261125{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1494450430914{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Main square and Catedral de la Santa Cruz del Quiché [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493316115647{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1554178866754{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    Aerial Photography

    Flying around the Quiché by drone it’s hard to get an idea of just how much is going on looking at my small cell phone screen for reference. When piloting you are hastily trying to find and frame shots within a limited time frame.  The real surprise is developing the images later- seeing the detail in the buildings and just how vibrant Guatemala is from the Air.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1554178882033{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ el_class=”lightc”][vc_column_text]The city is a blend of 400+ year old buildings, ruins and modern shopping malls. The classic adobe roofing forms a patchwork with rusted tin panels as well as the brightly painted facades of the buildings

    For me it’s one thing to get to know an area by foot – but an aerial perspective reveals the density and inter-relationship of a place. Especially these dense cities of Latin America.

    -Brendan

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1493266731151{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493409798261{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Gallery” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”gallerytext” css=”.vc_custom_1493266781501{margin-right: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493266954426{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid row_height=230 height_deviation=100 mobile_row_height=120 orderby=rand max_rows=12 last_row=hide load_more=scroll initially_load=12 rml_id=357][/jig_vc][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1493268745972{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;}”][vc_column width=”3/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1493274968916{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-4″ css=”.vc_custom_1493268989127{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-1 vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1493269002096{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Volcán Atitlán Guatemala

    Volcán Atitlán Guatemala

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1490762202135{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column][rev_slider_vc alias=”2015-03-15-volcan-atitlan” el_class=”topslider”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490815124103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815222765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_col-xs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815241577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-1″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815419789{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815164429{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text][comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1493243985606{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-7 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493253569498{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Atitlán had always enticed me” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:40px” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]For over a year I had been living in Panajachel watching this Volcano. Atitlán’s “mood” had became a part of my daily life. The 11,598′ (3,535 m) behemoth was always there: in the mornings it hovered like an apparition, its face peaking above the humid haze over the waters of the lake. As the day progressed the air would clear and the Volcano would begin to attract lenticular clouds clinging to the summit. In the rainy season Atitlán became more secluded, hiding in clouds -you could weeks at a time without ever seeing it.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3825″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Volcán Atitlán is the largest of three volcanos that surround Lake Atitlán – hence the name.  Because if the volcano’s distance position behind neighboring Volcán Tolimán it gives the appearance that the two volcanoes are equal in height – their twin summits to the left joined in a geologic matrimony. The truth is that Volcán Atitlán is nearly 2000ft taller than its neighbor.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3826″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Volcán Atitlán, has an infamous reputation. The volcano is remote and seldom visited by foreign tourists. The approach to the base involves navigating a confusing web of finca roads and coffee paths. Because of the distance and the elevation involved and most people opt to hike the volcano in two days – camping at or near the summit to catch views early morning before the clouds move in.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1493248189013{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][gallery_lemongrid images=”3855,3853,3851,3848,3847,3846,3830,3829,3903″ cell_height=”40″ space=”5″ element_id=”1493256544392-9e0d23f6-6960″ template=”{“template“:“gallery_lemongrid.php“}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493092617192{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493254182379{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][rev_slider_vc alias=”atitlan-embed-2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493092617192{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493254182379{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1493247557084{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]The approach to Volcán Atitlán by motorcycle involved riding on volcanic slickrock.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1490866456532{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493257420806{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]Because I had the motorcycle with me I decided to drive to the Volcáno – I packed up and headed out for a late start – reaching the opposite side of the lake at 4pm. I drove up as far as I could from San Lucas following a finca road which eventually turned to trail – which changed to a dried lava river. This was the lazy man’s approach – cutting out nearly 10km of walking however I was enthralled to ride the bike on some Lava Slickrock.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1493257360953{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]I hid the bike off the trail and chained it to a tree. – any Mayan with means could cut it but I entrusted my fate to faith. I climbed the trail up through the coffee finca – following a loose Gpx track. I passed by several campisinos descending the volcano with loads of corn on their back – they all gave enormous smiles and holas as their bodies strained with load.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493229127906{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493253661710{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”3833″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1493268035638{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]I camped around 11,000ft below the treeline. I hadn’t encountered anyone and I bedded down on the only flat place I could find – right in the trail. It was the dry season and I carried only a sleeping bag and pad – no tent. I eased in for a night’s sleep pushed away thoughts of insects crawling on my face and set my alarm for 4am the next day.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493252184816{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493253899593{padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-4″][vc_single_image image=”3864″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493253914689{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1493253523263{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]In the morning I made the push and got my first view of the lake above treeline. The sun had not yet risen and I strained to reach the top of the summit cone before sunrise. Below was a view of all of Lake Atitlan – the other Volcanoes looked so small from up here! The dark evening colors faded slowly and the light began to shed across the vallies and ridges of the country in deep shadows.

    I was not alone – at the summit there was a boyscout troop with over 40 kids huddled in groups with stoves preparing breakfast and watching their country explode in vibrant color before them.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”20″ initial_loading_animation=”zoomIn” grid_id=”vc_gid:1551674284243-a58ffce8f94b4957a9398e1fa7499660-3″ include=”3900,3848″ css=”.vc_custom_1493268188811{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1493327656974{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Volcán Atitlán is that it’s still semi-active. The last eruption was just over 100 years ago. At the summit there are numerous steam vents and the volcanic rocks are rather hot!

    The steam supports a variety of interesting fauna including bright red and green moss.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493327695613{margin-top: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493325697376{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”3865″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image” css=”.vc_custom_1493325716815{padding: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1493325826619{padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Positioned at the center of the Guatemalan volcanic chain, this 11,600ft volcano affords views of most the country’s twenty nine volcanic peaks from its summit.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493327470260{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493327491090{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 5px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”3774″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1493267180356{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]It is always inspiring to see Guatemalans out enjoying their country. A lot of the scouts didn’t have proper backpacks and used simple garbage bags to carry their gear.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1493243985606{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-7 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493253679756{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”“Of all the volcanoes I have climbed in Guatemala Atitlán was the most impressive
    -and unfortunately the most trashed.“” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:23px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:40px” google_fonts=”font_family:Oleo%20Script%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text]The hiking trail stretches up Volcán Atitlán is a near vertical swath of logging and deforestation – with deep ruts from where large trees have been removed. In this beautiful forested country – the forest is becoming ever more rare – with the apatite for wood insatiable even in these “protected” zones. Whether it’s small machete cuts for household cooking, clear cutting for agriculture or harvesting large growth trees for more prosperous exotic sale, Guatemala is feeling the effects of deforestation hard.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3788″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Unfortunately with the exception of a few toursim-centric volcanos – areas like Aitlán are worth more for their natural resources than as natural protected areas. The coastal fogs that for generations have supported dense tropical forests on Volcán Atitlán are also ideal for the growing of Guatemala’s most expensive crop: Coffee.  Even “fair trade” coffee has a serious environmental impact in countries like Guatemala. Forests must be leveled and burned to make way for the acres of the golden crop.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3863″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]

    Areas like Volcán Atitlán are extremely rare – in a dry regions of Guatemala these enormous volcanoes host micro-climates that support tropical forest that pull moisture from the air and help promote rainfall.  I can only hope that the people of the country come to understand just how special and necessary it is to protect places like Volcán Atitlan or at least put in places sustainable practice before the future renders the land unusable.

    -Brendan[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1493248189013{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-3 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1493327470260{margin-top: 35px !important;margin-bottom: 35px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1493327491090{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 5px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”4069″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1493327807274{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]An enormous old growth tree reaching towards the canopy – a reminder of a forest’s past. Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1493266731151{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493265205601{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Gallery” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”gallerytext” css=”.vc_custom_1493266781501{margin-right: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1493266954426{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column_text]

    [/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1493268745972{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1551674333005{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″ offset=”vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-4″ css=”.vc_custom_1551674348097{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-1 vc_col-md-2 vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1493269002096{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Guatemala City

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1491013486940{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column][rev_slider_vc alias=”2017-04-07-guatcity”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490815124103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815222765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_col-xs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815241577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-1″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815419789{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_tweetmeme css=”.vc_custom_1554175557926{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815164429{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text][comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1491015401346{background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1491015414899{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Gallery” title_align=”separator_align_left” align=”align_left” el_class=”gallerytext” css=”.vc_custom_1491015480972{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid rml_id=445][/jig_vc][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1490994444279{background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/6″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490994608197{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_single_image source=”featured_image” img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Mountain Home Stowe, VT

    Mountain Home Stowe, VT

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1490762202135{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column][rev_slider_vc alias=”mountain-home” el_class=”topslider”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490815124103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815222765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_col-xs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815241577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-1″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815419789{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815164429{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text][comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1490975182687{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-7 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490976563188{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”A handcrafted home by Roots Builders” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:40px” el_class=”white”][vc_separator][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”white”]The Mountainside Home located in Stowe, Vermont is a current project  of Roots Builders, LLC.

    On the original site included an old house and barn whose materials were delicately repurposed and incorporated as vintage elements in the new home.

    The fine details are immediately apparent as you enter the main hall  – with an open feel and sturdy timber frame structure. The architecture was inspired by the old barns of the northeast.

     

    All furniture and cabinetry was custom crafted and includes a mixture old and modern materials.

    Roots Builders, LLC worked in collaboration with Gristmill Builders, LTD on this new home and I was happy to provide the photography for the builder’s portfolio. – PICSPORADIC[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1490983256218{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 75px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″][gallery_lemongrid images=”3086,3085,3084,3083,3082,3081,3080,3079,3078,3077,3076,3075,3074,3073,3072″ cell_height=”120″ space=”10″ element_id=”1490972861996-b2bb4038-9c37″ template=”{“template“:“gallery_lemongrid.php“}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1490983411057{background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490984446472{background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-9 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490984498665{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Gallery” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”gallery” css=”.vc_custom_1490979811385{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1490975337065{background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”]

    [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image source=”featured_image” img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1559857251747{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1490984435847{background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1490976323822{background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-4 vc_col-md-offset-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_custom_heading text=”More Posts:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:50px” google_fonts=”font_family:Pacifico%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Expedición ANP 2016

    Expedición ANP 2016

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490826572758{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”][vc_column][rev_slider_vc alias=”ExpedicionANP-overview”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490815124103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815222765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_col-xs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815241577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-1″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815419789{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815164429{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text][views][comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1490869188919{margin-top: 25px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490864368828{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Expedición ANP” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:40px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:45px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1475450897293{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext” css=”.vc_custom_1475450970630{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”]

    (Áreas naturales protegidas del Perú)

    [/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1473214546168{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1553237104920{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;}”]In 2015 me and two Peruvian amigos approached SERNANP with the goal of promoting ecotourism within the country through cycletourism. We proposed a media trip / expedition that would showcase the protected areas of Peru by bikepacking through Huascarán National Park.

    The Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado – (SERNANP) is an environmental agency who’s mission is to ensure the conservation of the Peru’s natural protected areas and biological diversity by maintaining a low environmental impact.

    SERNANP administers the Protected Natural Areas in Peru with the aim of sustainability managing biological diversity and ecosystems in a way that provides benefit to society.

    Bicycle travel is a unique form of tourism that has a low impact on the environment and is the perfect way to experience the outdoors. Through our expedition we would promote sustainable travel and publicize the efforts that Peru was making towards environmental conservation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1490869178617{margin-left: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-5″][gallery_lemongrid images=”2895,2894,2892,2891,2889,2888,2886,2885,2884,2883,2882″ cell_height=”50″ space=”5″ element_id=”EXANP-Gallery-overview2″ template=”{“template“:“gallery_lemongrid.php“}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1490868873827{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 1px !important;margin-left: 1px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1553237140929{background-image: url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/per_pbb05_20160121-gh3-100.jpg?id=15824) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Principles of the Expedition” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:40px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:45px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1490863154518{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1490862447147{background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0″ css=”.vc_custom_1490862996973{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.49) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]

    • Capture the beauty of Peru’s Natural Protected Areas with photos and video as experienced by cycling.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]

    • Share a cross-cultural cycle touring experience with members from United States and Peru.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]

    • Demonstrate the use of bicycles and for tourism – generating new opportunists for the local economy.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]

    • Promote the country of Peru as a destination for mountain biking and adventure cycling.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_progress_bar values=”%5B%7B%22label%22%3A%22Capture%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2290%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Share%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2280%22%7D%2C%7B%22label%22%3A%22Promote%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2270%22%7D%5D” options=”striped,animated”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”bottom” video_bg=”yes” video_bg_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz5ddIrHM6w” css=”.vc_custom_1491036367962{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0″][vc_custom_heading text=”The Obejective:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:60px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space height=”250px”][vc_column_text]

    The Huascarán Circut

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1491036520273{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.69) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1491036667202{padding-bottom: px !important;}”]The Huascarán Circuit is considered to be one of the most beautiful and demanding bicycle touring routes in the world. The 300km loop circumnavigates the highest point in Peru:  Nevado Huascarán (6,768m / 22,205 ft) with an average elevation of around 3,000m and crosses 3 mountain passes over 4,000 mts.

    canvas[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1472242229346{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490865093175{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Meet the Team:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:60px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490856258776{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490857506616{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”15845″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1553237349433{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1490856199671{padding-bottom: 10px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Manuel Aristondo” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff”][vc_custom_heading text=”Owner, Perubybike” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23fbd63a|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20italic%3A500%3Aitalic” css=”.vc_custom_1490855642325{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1490857613268{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #e2e2e2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}” el_class=”smalltext”]Manuel is a lifelong lover of adventure sports. He a degree in Tourism Management from the University of San Martin de Porres in Lima, Peru. He has run 12 marathons and trekked in many of the country’s national parks.

    Manuel is enthusiastic about bicycle travel as a means to generate tourism and develop new opportunities for the economy of the local people.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490868927597{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1491011477161{background-color: #232323 !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_hidden-lg vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_hidden-md vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”2907″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1490857490408{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1491011418829{background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Eddy Jhon Ordoño” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff”][vc_custom_heading text=”Guide, Photographer” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23fbd63a|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20italic%3A500%3Aitalic” css=”.vc_custom_1490855655522{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1490857599882{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}” el_class=”smalltext”]A native to the Lake Titicaca Region of Peru Eddy has a deep passion for mountain biking and tourism in Peru.   He has traveled extensively throughout the country and visited many of the natural protected areas. He enjoys photography and sharing his country with the world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-4 vc_hidden-sm vc_col-xs-12 vc_hidden-xs” css=”.vc_custom_1491011360592{background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”15847″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1553237403979{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490856796622{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(68,68,68,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(68,68,68) !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490857419531{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”15846″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1553237383812{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-right: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6″ css=”.vc_custom_1490856786109{background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Brendan James” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff”][vc_custom_heading text=”Photographer, Traveler, Athlete” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23fbd63a|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20italic%3A500%3Aitalic” css=”.vc_custom_1490855670091{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1490857586518{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #e2e2e2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}” el_class=”smalltext”]Brendan first traveled to Peru in 2005 at the age of 20 on a motorcycle expedition that began in Ecuador. He has since visited the country numerous times for climbing expeditions in the Cordillera Blanca. He is interested in forming new relationships between the parks service, mountain biking, and environmental conservation within the country.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1474914856390{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1472499189519{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Episodes:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:100px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • San Antonio Palopó Photography

    San Antonio Palopó Photography

    [vc_row full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”531″ css=”.vc_custom_1600189681568{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:75px|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:70px” google_fonts=”font_family:Permanent%20Marker%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”white”]

     Perched on the edge of Lake Atitlán is a town without time.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1600189691846{margin-bottom: 40px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815222765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_col-xs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815241577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-1″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815419789{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_googleplus annotation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1490816144508{margin-top: 2px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815164429{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text][comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1471112180184{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1471102245268{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6″][vc_custom_heading text=”San Antonio Palopó” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]At the end of the precarious one-lane paved road from Panajachel is the small town of San Antonio Palopo. Isolated in geography and tradition, its largely indigenous population work the land and in the waters of Lake Atitlán.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”534″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1471112296943{background-image: url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/WEB-MF_20150603-68-Pano-Edit-1920px.jpg?id=534) !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1471112171383{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1471102245268{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]The first time I saw San Antonio I was awestruck. The town is a contiguous structure of concrete block and wire – simple homesteads and livestock- intertwined by tight alleyways and rusty tin roofs climbing the mountainside above the lake. The locals carry provisions on their heads up steep steps to cliff dwellings which seamlessly integrate with terraced fields of onions, the local crop.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]The first time I saw San Antonio I was awestruck. The town is a contiguous structure of concrete block and wire – simple homesteads and livestock- intertwined by tight alleyways and rusty tin roofs climbing the mountainside above the lake. The locals carry provisions on their heads up steep steps to cliff dwellings which seamlessly integrate with terraced fields of onions, the local crop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”537″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_custom_heading text=”An incredible contrast of beauty and poverty” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left”][vc_masonry_media_grid initial_loading_animation=”fadeIn” grid_id=”vc_gid:1600189617063-f18e5360-c7e8-9″ include=”549,550,553,558,551,552,554,555,556″][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1471102215732{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”]Through my work with Mayan Families my understanding of San Antonio changed greatly. It wasn’t until I got up close with the people there that I realized just how marginalized the population had become. During hurricane sandy in 2012 the town lost its only school in a landslide – since then there has been no aid on the behalf of the government to rebuild the school.  The school was necessary for many reasons. The people of San Antonio speak Kaqchikel  and without lessons in the spanish language an entire generation is growing up without the tools to communicate and work outside of their community.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” columns_placement=”top” content_placement=”middle” parallax=”content-moving-fade” css=”.vc_custom_1471111970854{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-image: url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/WEB-MF_20150603-111-Edit-2-1920px.jpg?id=535) !important;}”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1471111960594{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #020202 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1471109682318{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”white”]

    Rooted in tradition – Farmers work the steep hillsides above Lake Atitlán.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1471101793626{margin-bottom: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;padding-bottom: 1px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”carousel”][vc_gallery interval=”5″ images=”543,542,541,540,539,537″ img_size=”large” css=”.vc_custom_1471102304798{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1600189320689{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” columns_placement=”top” content_placement=”middle” parallax=”content-moving-fade” css=”.vc_custom_1471112351986{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-image: url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/WEB-MF_20150603-124-1920px.jpg?id=536) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Cebolla” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:left|color:%23262626|line_height:60px” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right”]

    Acres of onions

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1600188005328{padding: 20px !important;background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.69) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]Everyone San Antonio grows up working the fields. The terraced plots of land stretch upwards from the town joined together by irrigation ditches and small plastic pipe; the lifeline of water in this dry region of Guatemala. The main crop of the town is cebolla or onions.

    The onions are sold clean which involves a tremendous amount of work and water. Most children begin work when they can walk, and can be seen working alongside the elders in the fields. There is very little work in San Antonio, everyone grows onions. It’s their only crop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1471112367200{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #020202 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1471112438384{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″ el_class=”Houses on top of houses on the steep hillside.”][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”white”]

    Many of the Mayan farmers are suffering from the low prices they receive for their crops.  Once a month the large trucks come to town to pick up the harvest.  The farmers heave their heavy sacks of produce on their heads walk the steep paths down from the fields to market. At the truck there is an on-site bidding war and once the truck is full the driver leaves. The cheap produce bound for the capital of Guatemala city and eventually the United States of America.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1471100271512{background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”545″ img_size=”1000×600″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1471109118408{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Gregorio” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:40px|text_align:left|line_height:50px” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]I met Gregorio on my photo hunt mountains above the town. His plot sits at a cliff overlooking all of San Antonio and as I set up my tripod he came up to me. Gregorio seventy years old and walks up to the terraces each day where he grows onions and a bit of Marijuana. He spoke just enough Spanish to tell me a bit of history about the lake, his family and the town where he has been living his entire life.

    Two months ago his eldest left for the United States, crossing the border illegally in a dangerous 40 day journey. His son now lives in new York where he works in a kitchen. He will most likely never return to his beautiful homeland in Guatemala. The old man and I sat for about an hour, both of us chatting in our broken spanish and taking in the amazing view of Lake Atitlán.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”top” video_bg=”yes” video_bg_url=”” video_bg_parallax=”content-moving-fade” el_class=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9j-tJYaL8Q&” css=”.vc_custom_1471112535685{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-image: url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/WEB-MF_20150603-37-1920px.jpg?id=541) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right” el_class=”white”]

    The construction continues perpetually. Each man working tirelessly to weave his piece of the giant puzzle of San Antonio with cement and block.
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1471111960594{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #020202 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1471109682318{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”white”]

    Houses on top of houses on the steep hillside.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1471100200450{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1471109180919{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1471112654710{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1471109199864{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1471112631503{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1471109714550{margin-right: 3px !important;margin-left: 3px !important;}”][gallery_lemongrid images=”571,570,558,556″ cell_height=”120″ space=”6″ class=”margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px ;” element_id=”fishing” template=”{“template“:“gallery_lemongrid.php“}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][jig_vc][/jig_vc][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Volcanarchy

    Volcanarchy

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”16553″ css=”.vc_custom_1553544442690{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”1477″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1472055931361{padding-top: 80px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white”]

    Exploring Guatemala’s Highest Volcanoes by Fatbike

    as featured in Mountain Flyer Magazine : Issue 49

    [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Project Sponsors:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24px|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:24px” google_fonts=”font_family:Droid%20Sans%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1472059394229{padding-top: 150px !important;}”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1472057450326{margin-left: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(183,183,183,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(183,183,183) !important;}” el_class=”delay”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-2 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-2 vc_col-sm-offset-0 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_single_image image=”1468″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://fatbackbikes.com/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-2 vc_col-md-offset-0 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vc_col-xs-10″][vc_single_image image=”1473″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.skratchlabs.com/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1490815124103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 4px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-top-color: #777777 !important;border-top-style: outset !important;border-bottom-color: #777777 !important;border-bottom-style: outset !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-xs-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815222765{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Published: [date] by PICSPORADIC [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-5 vc_hidden-md vc_col-xs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815241577{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_facebook type=”button_count” css=”.vc_custom_1490816047681{margin-top: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-xs-1″ css=”.vc_custom_1490815419789{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_tweetmeme][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1553325246146{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 4px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text][views] [comments][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” gap=”15″ equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1473272621419{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1553325366491{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Volcanarchy” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:40px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:45px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1473273419938{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”smalltext” css=”.vc_custom_1473264891072{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”]

    [vol·ka·nar·key] n. :: confusion and disorder induced by an unending quest for volcanoes in the vibrant and chaotic country of Guatemala.
    [/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1473214546168{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1475252258760{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;}”]”You think we could ride those?” I muse to my partner in crime, fellow gringo expat and professional photographer Brendan James. We rotate our grip on the handrails of the chicken bus as a volcano blurs past. The risk of death by fire on the mountain seems minimal compared to the insane antics of this driver who is talking on his cell phone and gesticulating wildly as he pinwheels around 90 degree turns, the trademark of the local transportation infrastructure. Brendan and I were returning from a successful stage race in Ecuador, and it seemed like the time was right for another mission.

    In that chicken bus, we hatch a plan: We will use fat bikes because the wide tires have the best chance on this terrain, reach the volcanoes with a combination of bikepacking and “public transportation” — including chicken buses and hitchhiking in trucks — climb the volcanoes, camp on the summits, and shred down the ash fields.

    We spent the next hours sketching routes on a napkin while anchoring ourselves into the seat with Mayans squished on all sides of us holding bushels of tapestries and produce. This culture is nuts… and we fit right in. We would attempt four volcanoes in three weeks: the biggest and most remote in the country.

    It was a crazy, wingnut plan. Negotiating the chaos of the country itself with bike, camping and camera gear and days worth of food and water, attempting to ride these enormous forces of nature under full load… it was going to be complete anarchy. Volcanarchy. We had no idea if this could actually be done. It would be our Guatemalan baptism by fire.

    — Liz Sampey, professional endurance athlete[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1553325424098{background-image: url(https://www.picsporadic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Guatemala-Culture-Grid.jpg?id=16081) !important;}” offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_empty_space height=”800px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1474914856390{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1553729494269{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Let’s begin…” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:70px|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:75px” google_fonts=”font_family:Pacifico%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.picsporadic.com%2Fvolcanarchy-equipment-logistics%2F|||”][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1472499189519{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Episodes:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:100px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal”][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”-1″ style=”lazy” items_per_page=”3″ order=”ASC” item=”862″ initial_loading_animation=”bounce” grid_id=”vc_gid:1553726727286-d61176f2eff813ae40353811291d72d1-8″ taxonomies=”26″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1472242229346{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1472241704418{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Meet the Team:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:100px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1472241688395{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1553325316812{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-4″ css=”.vc_custom_1472241719533{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”1596″ img_size=”medium” css=”.vc_custom_1472079567351{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-6″][vc_custom_heading text=”Elizabeth Sampey” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff”][vc_custom_heading text=”Professional Endurance Athlete, Performance Coach, Writer, Speaker” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%232ea5c9|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20italic%3A500%3Aitalic” css=”.vc_custom_1472241612567{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1472241561118{margin-top: 20px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #e2e2e2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}” el_class=”smalltext”]With a background in backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering and nine years of experience as an elite-level cyclist, Liz has found her niche in ultra-endurance mountain bike races, multi-day stage races, and adventure projects that combine travel on bikes, skis, and foot.

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    In 2015 Liz discovered fat biking, and her world expanded exponentially. Combining her love of adventure biking and ski mountaineering, her focus turned to using fat bikes to access wild places and high peaks in Colorado’s backcountry. Liz shares her experiences and insights into the human side of the athlete’s journey through speaking at events and clinics and writing for her sponsors’ audiences and her own website: www.speedy-lizard.com

    [/expand][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1553729516841{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-5 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6″][vc_custom_heading text=”Brendan James” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff”][vc_custom_heading text=”Athlete, Photographer and Videographer” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%232ea5c9|line_height:20px” google_fonts=”font_family:Exo%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20italic%3A500%3Aitalic” css=”.vc_custom_1472241595776{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1472499209750{margin-top: 10px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}” el_class=”smalltext”]An accomplished cross-country mountain bike racer and professional photographer, Brendan seeks out adventure and challenge in some of the most remote parts of the world. Brendan combines his creative energy with athletic pursuits and passion for exploration into photography and video that showcases the adventure of travel, place and culture.

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    In 2014 Brendan rode his motorcycle south from Colorado and landed in Guatemala two months later, where he has been living since. Over the past year, Brendan has been applying skills with an non-profit in Guatemala, Mayan Families, that works with education and support for impoverished children in the villages surrounding Lake Atitlán.

    [/expand][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0 vc_col-lg-3 vc_col-md-offset-0 vc_col-md-4″][vc_single_image image=”16926″ img_size=”300×300″ style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1553729584881{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1472499353201{background-color: rgba(35,35,35,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(35,35,35) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_custom_heading text=”Let’s go…” font_container=”tag:div|font_size:70px|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:75px” google_fonts=”font_family:Pacifico%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.picsporadic.com%2Fvolcanarchy-equipment-logistics%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1490762202135{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: rgba(2,2,2,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]