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  • Bikepacking Parque Villarrica – Part 2

    Bikepacking Parque Villarrica – Part 2

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17342″ css=”.vc_custom_1554515587191{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=”Bikepacking 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=”(Part 2) High on el sendero de las Avutardas” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23f9f9f9″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1554499308304{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” css=”.vc_custom_1554428110538{padding-top: 4px !important;}”]

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    El Sendero de las Avutardas

    My first few days in Parque Villarrica had wowed me with its diversity of volcanic terrain, glaciers and active volcanoes. The quest for vistas had me excessively pushing my bikepacking rig for small rewards of rideable trail. Yesterday I had been teased by my my first taste of singletrack – and I was eager to discover more.

    Here I got to see the earth in its most natural state – birthed from recent volcanic activity. From a world of ash nature was slowly constructing plants beginning with small patches of lichen and moss.

    Tent Bound

    In the night came the rain. I awoke with the tent enveloped in mist. The wind howled. I hunkered down. The weather pushed across the alpine lake throwing waves on the shore. It felt like I was in a different place than the one I arrived in the day before.

    I had underestimated the cold that came with along with this type of humidity – restless to get moving I layered up with the Gore-Tex and broke camp.[/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_1554499446790{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !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=”17236″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1554499485960{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][jig_vc][justified_image_grid ids=”17233,17234, 17320″ thumbs_spacing=10 row_height=350 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=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1554504529778{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-xs-12″ el_class=”darkc”][vc_column_text]

    Lava and Ash

    Riding Across Raw Earth

    Visibility was limited by the mist and the rain came in bursts. I followed metal stakes that marked the route across the plains to the edge of an enormous field of cracked lava. I shuttered to think about carrying my bike across.[/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_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17343″ 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 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=”darkc”][vc_column_text]

    Suavé

    Black and ominous lava rock stretched across the valley. When looking at such a complex shape in such an enormity – it was impossible to process all its individual features – I saw only a massive grey blob.

    The trail dropped and I was surprised to find that it was relatively rideable by bike.  The track sinuously carving its way through features in the lava – taking the easiest line.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5″ css=”.vc_custom_1554517562806{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”17235″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-118-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1554505107718{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;}”][/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=”17297″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][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_column_text]

    From my experience biking on Volcanoes in Guatemala I proceeded carefully. The rock was sharp as glass and I did not carry an extra tire.

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    Expanses.

    The land here was raw, barren, massive. No trees. A land of sand and rock stretched below Volcán Quetrupillán.

    Tall cyclones of sand rose from the barren plains. There was nothing out here.[/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=”lightc”][vc_single_image image=”17242″ 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=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554515930402{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]

    Hot rivers

    I came to a hot spring in ground. I could smell the sulfur in the air. This was one of the few places with vegetation and everything grew in bright neon. Florescent moss and odd shaped globe-tipped flowers were scattered across the area. Steam rose from the water.

    I felt as if I was witnessing the evolution of the planet. Nature here was slowly rebuilding itself after the volcanic eruptions. I was not high – only around 2000m – a forest could grow here, this was the blank slate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”17344″ 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=”lightc”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554517309524{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]

    Sand and Ash Flats

    In the wash it was too sandy to ride. I pushed along, struggling. The wind blew into my face and I couldn’t hear anything. – droplets of rain continued to fall from above. This would be perfect terrain for a fat bike I thought.

    The scale here was beginning to become apparent. It would take me hours to cross a valley only to get a view of another massive expanse. I kept referring to my GPS to make sure I was still on track.[/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_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1554507157824{background-color: transparent !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

    I meandered around enormous craters filled with dry lava. There was not just one volcano here – there were many.”

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    Imaginary Lines

    I was on the border with Argentina now – it was strange to have a line on a map here. In the distance was Volcán Lanín – a towering pyramid of rock and ice at over 3700m. I ate a snack and waited for the clouds to clear from it’s summit. They didn’t.

    I could see the forest below, and from my topo I could tell it was mostly downhill from here. Where had the day gone? I dropped through steep cliffs cut into fields of grass.

    I had expected to ride out today. I was at the end of day 4 and I was out of food.  I made a plan to push as much as I could into the dark and ride the rest tomorrow on an empty stomach.

    In the descent instead of sand, I battled mud. The trail dropped sharply and was slick with mud from the rain. I found myself hiking down most of it. Deep rivers cut through the landscape in every which way – they hadn’t found their direction yet. I crossed one, then another-taking of my clothes and lifting the bike over my head in the water. The sun waned.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-5 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1554517858016{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”17336″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.picsporadic.com/items/BIGMTN-180218-118-G85″ css=”.vc_custom_1554515722897{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;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554519058647{padding-right: 10px !important;}”]

    The Singletrack in Parque Villarrica got better as I got lower.

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    The Last Meal

    Night fell and the forest was alive with the sound of birds. Moss clung to the trees and the mist came in adding to the atmosphere of the place – subtropical forest. I was back inside the green room below it’s thick boughs.

    At camp I prepared the last bit of food I had: about an ounce of quinoa, vegetable protein and a little cheese. It went quick.[/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]The sound of birds changed to crickets. “I am the only thing out of place here” I thought to myself – nature does just fine without us humans.

    The ride out tomorrow would take most of the day and I studied the map to try and plan my next step. All I could think about was food.

    I hadn’t seen anyone in 4 days.

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    In general I had under-estimated just how hard bikepacking across Villarrica would be.  In 4 days I had only done 65km. I was under prepared with food and needed to make an exit plan. 

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    The Morning After.

    The next morning I followed perfect singletrack – dropping out of the park. The forest was alive with flowers and everything shone golden and green. I flew on 4×4 roads, coming across the first signs of civilization – an old barn and some beef cows.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”lightc” width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1554514994743{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]I passed a closed ranger station and found myself on a paved road. Clean cars zoomed past – to left it was 20km downhill to the nearest town, Curarruehue.  To the right: Argentina 100km to the nearest town San Martin de los Andes. I was completely out of food.[/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″ 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=”17338″ 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]

    Man Without a Plan.

    I decided to bail to Curarrehue.  I stopped at the first general store I came across and loaded up on food – they didn’t have much.

    Night fell and I made camp by a river outside of town. I hadn’t been able to find burning alcohol and cooked on a small fire to conserve fuel.

    Parque Villarrica had been a stern introduction to the desolateness of Chile. I was used to frequent resupplies in Peru. Stores here were generally under stocked and overpriced – I would need to plan more.

    Tomorrow I would take a full rest day – recharging batteries and spirit before returning back to the mountains. I still had a border crossing to do in Argentina – a new country for me.

    -Brendan

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    Last light of day – camping by the river in Curarrehue.

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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.
    [/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_column_text][jig_vc][justified_image_grid ids=”17123,17124,17120,17122″ row_height=250 height_deviation=200][/jig_vc][/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=”lightc”][vc_column_text]

    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

    [/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_1553221858574{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-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”17158″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1554426864518{border-top-width: 5px !important;border-right-width: 5px !important;border-bottom-width: 5px !important;border-left-width: 5px !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_1554425634471{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”]

    Laguna los Patos – Parque Villarrica

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  • Big Mountain MTB Tour – Guatemala

    Big Mountain MTB Tour – Guatemala

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    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]

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    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.

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    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

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  • Muir Woods

    Muir Woods

    [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=”muir-woods”][/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 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;}”][css_animation duration=”2″ el_class=”animator_grey”][awesome_gallery id=”3211″][/css_animation][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Muir Beach

    Muir Beach

    [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=”muir-beach”][/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 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;}”][css_animation duration=”2″ el_class=”animator_grey”][awesome_gallery id=”3178″][/css_animation][/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_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Medellin

    Medellin

    [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=”Medellin2″ 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=”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 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_1490866485459{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 quick stopover in a city that defies expectations” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff|line_height:40px” el_class=”white”][vc_column_text css_animation=”right-to-left” el_class=”white”]En route to Expedición ANP I had a long layover in Medellín and after sleeping in the airport overnight I decided to catch public bus downtown to explore the city.

    This was my second visit the Medellin, the first was in 2014 when I was traveling around Colombia solo. The city defies expectations with a brand new public transportation system that includes ski lifts or Teleféricos that climb to the barios high in the mountains. There is even a connection that takes you up and over the mountain to a national park in the forest. All the city is accessible.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”right-to-left” el_class=”white”]Medellín is described as “la ciudad de la eterna privavera” due to its perfect weather and location in the mountains: not too hot and not too cool with flowers that bloom year round.

    In February 2013, the Urban Land Institute chose Medellín as the most innovative city in the world due to its recent advances in politics, education and social development. The city has invested in heavily in their infrastructure and is one of the nicest cities I have visited in Colombia.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1490866556777{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” css=”.vc_custom_1490866307880{background-color: #383838 !important;}”][vc_column width=”3/4″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-9 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1490866348013{padding: 20px !important;background-color: #232323 !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Gallery” title_align=”separator_align_left” el_class=”gallery”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1490812728367{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=”img_link_large” css_animation=”top-to-bottom” css=”.vc_custom_1490817231691{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rev_slider_vc alias=”medellin3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Angel Island San Francisco

    Angel Island San Francisco

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”3046″ css=”.vc_custom_1490905330595{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:70px|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:75px” google_fonts=”font_family:Permanent%20Marker%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear” el_class=”white”]

    A visit by bike

    [/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-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 css=”.vc_custom_1490904434019{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_1490904527094{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][css_animation animation=”slide-to-right” duration=”2″ el_class=”animator_grey”][awesome_gallery id=”3048″][/css_animation][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Geneva

    Geneva

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”234″ css=”.vc_custom_1472073954680{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:75|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:75px” google_fonts=”font_family:Permanent%20Marker%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear” el_class=”white”]

    Spending time in the most peaceful city in the world.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8″ css=”.vc_custom_1472073938628{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][awesome_gallery id=”1568″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Téléphérique La Para – Chamonix France

    Téléphérique La Para – Chamonix France

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”231″ css=”.vc_custom_1471058945135{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1471057867913{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:70px|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:75px” google_fonts=”font_family:Permanent%20Marker%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear” el_class=”white”]

    Exploring an abandoned Telepherique in Chamonix France

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1472074334635{background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8″][vc_custom_heading text=”Gallery:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1471058430628{padding-top: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1472074334635{background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.01) !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-2 vc_col-lg-8″][css_animation animation=”slide-to-right” duration=”2″][awesome_gallery id=”654″][/css_animation][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Istanbul

    Istanbul

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”1578″ css=”.vc_custom_1490904373226{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:70px|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:75px” google_fonts=”font_family:Permanent%20Marker%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear” el_class=”white”]

    A quick layover in the city bridged between east and west

    [/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-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 css=”.vc_custom_1490904434019{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_1490904527094{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][css_animation animation=”slide-to-right” duration=”2″ el_class=”animator_grey”][awesome_gallery id=”1571″][/css_animation][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Chamonix Alpine Climbing

    Chamonix Alpine Climbing

    [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving-fade” parallax_image=”244″ css=”.vc_custom_1471061918036{margin-bottom: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1471057867913{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50|text_align:center|line_height:50px” google_fonts=”font_family:Permanent%20Marker%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear” el_class=”white”]

    Two Vermont boys going bigger than they ever imagined in the French Alps

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1471057881454{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(2,2,2,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(2,2,2) !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs” css=”.vc_custom_1471055791183{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″ offset=”vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″ css=”.vc_custom_1471051009441{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Gallery:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:50|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1471060646451{padding-top: 30px !important;}”][awesome_gallery id=”663″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • welcome to Utah

    welcome to Utah

    [AFG_gallery id=’28’]

  • Mexico By Flight

    Mexico By Flight

    [AFG_gallery id=’23’]

  • MOTOtravel

    MOTOtravel

    [AFG_gallery id=’10’]

  • Moab

    Moab

    [AFG_gallery id=’8′]

  • Mt. Hood Skibowl

    Mt. Hood Skibowl

    [AFG_gallery id=’6′]

  • By Flight

    By Flight

    November was a month of traveling for me as I flew to 6 cities across the east for working with a production company. One of the best things about flying out of LaGuardia airport in NYC is the amazing Arial views you get of the city.

    • New York City
    • Toronto
    • Washington D.C.
    • Cincinnati
    • Detroit
    • Philadelphia
    • Boston

    [AFG_gallery id=’1′]

  • Charlotte Car City Show

    Charlotte Car City Show

    [AFG_gallery id=’18’]

  • A trip to Delaware (by bike)

    A trip to Delaware (by bike)

    Following a whim to bike the state of Delaware south to north I toured the home of the brave. From strip-malls chemical factories and nuclear cooling towers. Eat, sleep shop. Delaware U.SA

    [AFG_gallery id=’19’]

  • Places & Spaces – SET 3 – Revisit to South America

    Places & Spaces – SET 3 – Revisit to South America

    In the Fall of 2009 I returned to Peru by ways of Bogota, Colombia spending 3 weeks in the country.  Most of the pictures were taken while visiting Huaraz in the Ancash region of the high Andes, Peru.

    Photos:

    • Climbing Nevado Ishinca
    • The Ishinca Valley By Moonlight
    • Huaraz, Peru
    • Bogota, Colombia
     [AFG_gallery id=’17’]
  • Places & Spaces – SET 2 – By bike

    Places & Spaces – SET 2 – By bike

    When I lived in New York I spent a lot of time getting outside of the city by bike, traveling across long island and camping on its many beaches.

    Many of these photos are from a cold multi-day trip I took in November across long island with my Webber Monoporter Bike Trailer. I knew this would be my last chance to camp before the coming of winter. Finding solitude a midst the madness on the abandoned beaches. Locations:

    • Jamaica Bay, NY
    • Rockaway Beach
    • Jones Beach
    • Eaton’s Neck, Long Island
    • Bridgeport, CT

    [AFG_gallery id=’16’]