This is my introduction post to this community, where I hope to post many more in the future.
I started experimenting with photography at about 14, when my father gave me his old Konica SLR. at first it was with ILFORD black and white rolls, later with color and years later I got into digital photography with my first Canon.
this is the story, photographically told, of how a group of friends embark on a logistically challenging trip from Mendoza, Argentina and into Chile, across the Andes, on horseback.
- all photos are mine and were taken using a Canon 40D.
last horses loaded onto their transport late night before setting off.
early next morning, last preparations at the "La Mula Muerta" (the dead mule) refuge.
a steep ascent takes us up to the 4.400m. pass. as the horses struggle uphill, we stop them every about 20 paces to recover their breath. the saddles slightly loose to allow them to expend their chests all they need, their nostrils wide open.
even though accustomed to the altitudes, they can easily overexert themselves.
once up top, we stop to let the horses rest and readjust saddles before descending into the valley ahead.
as our view widens, we are blown by the immensity of the landscape.
and by the roughness of its beauty.
at times, it is extremely windy and miserably cold, our bums are numb and flat, but the surroundings are astonishingly breathtaking.
an occasional sip of Mendoza Malbec keeps us warm and content.
the horses are freed for the night.
and are gathered early the next day.
we are now at high and barren country. the river gushes with rage and crossings become risky.
a lonely iron post reads "Chile" on one side and "Argentina" on the other.
this is Javier, owner and operator of a family business out of his ranch "El Jarillal" in Mendoza, offering horseback trips in the Andes.
you can follow him on Instagram Rancho El Jarillal
and / or contact him directly +54 9 2613 61 5181
he uses Whatsapp and speaks English.
I am daily making the change I want to see in the world.
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photo credit: James Frankham
this post has been published on May 29th. 2023 at 09:09