Adventure Cycling

High Andes Expedition

High Andes Expedition 1995 - An unsupported journey to 20,000 feet - That's a long way uphill!

Breaking new ground in Bolivia and Chile

Does the idea of cycling on tracks though wild areas littered with volcanoes, salt flats, amazing wildlife, and remote villages appeal to you? Cycle touring in Bolivia and Chile poses its problems but the rewards easily compensate.Tom Phillips and Phil Whiting describe a record breaking journey.

"The main aim of the ride was to get to the top of a 20,000 foot [Andes] volcano I had seen in 1992. However we wanted to start from sea level and cycle through some of the amazing scenery in this part of South America. The 10,000 square mile Salar de Uyuni ( salt lake ) and thefor this 40 mile section which climbed relentlessly to an altitude of 12,000 feet. The only plants were the strange candelabra cacti which gained moisture from summer fogs. The only animals vultures which eyed us with interest when we rested in the fierce midday sun. August is late winter here, the days are short and hot, and at night the temperatures plummet immediately the sun goes down.

Minus 10° was a common low. Water bottles turned rock hard overnight so it was important to keep them in the tent. We found a travelers oasis at Copaquilla, a roadside cafe recently set up by a couple determined to prove that life was possible at the edge of the desert, through careful use of alternative technology, sun and wind power, and