Nuevo Granito Cerca Hati Khollu

I pulled a calf muscle two weeks ago and have had to lay off the running for awhile.  Fortunately, I can walk just fine so we went climbing to an area where my friend Alex said he saw some nice granite towers.  It's in a valley that you can't see from any of the adjacent peaks and there aren't any trails that go there either.  Basically, there are no routes whatsoever in a pretty extensive area of granite peaks and walls up to 250 meters tall.  Because most of the rock in the immediate La Paz area is terrible, I wasn't expecting much but here's what we got:

Amazing granite like the best in Yosemite.  The only downside is that it is at 17,000' or so and is a three and a half hour walk from the car.  Add the 1.5 hour drive from La Paz and it's a lot for a day trip but it's possible.

Here's the view down the valley towards the Yungas where there are lower angled walls, also with no routes:

Most of the approach is pleasant walking through bofedales:

But the way kicks up and the footing gets nasty on the last hump to the pass:

Hey, look at that:

There is a small lake for water if you were inclined to carry camping gear up to the pass:

Alex looks small standing at the base of the second tower as Eduardo follows:

The two towers:

Eduardo is gobsmacked:

Los tres amigos y el granito perfecto:

Moonshine

A dog followed Aimee home on one of her runs.  He was still outside our door a few hours later.

He needed a bath:

We have a new dog named Moonshine.  He's the luckiest dog in Bolivia:

More Running

Because I signed up to run a 50 kilometer trail race on June 1 near Washington, DC, I have tried to increase the amount of running in my life.  The trick for me is to find the appropriate balance between enough training to complete the event in a respectable time and too much training which will entail a predictable injury.

About 14,000' with Illimani and Mururata in the background:

Here's the standard gear for two hours of running at 12,500' on a Saturday afternoon with the La Paz Hashers:

Rain jacket, long sleeve shirt, gatorade, shot blocks, six sausages, matching buns, a bottle of whiskey, spicy mustard, a hat, and tp, of course.  I did an hour of pretty slow running before I headed to the Hash but then was a bit alarmed when Andrew told me the Hash could go as long as three hours!  I thought they were usually less than an hour for the running.

Here is a random shot of AnnaMaria and her friend looking for frogs where we ride horses:

But, back to the business at hand.  The La Paz Hash #30 at Saya Brewery:

Gathering before the run:

Ariel and Salva prepare for the Hash:

Here we go for an hour or so of running:

There was a rumor that some of the beer was shared with one of the locals:

Ariel demonstrates how to carry your beer on the hash:

A bus was arranged for those who needed a respite from the brutal pace of the running group:

We are approaching the viewpoint where most of the group reunited:

Group sex:

The dog was not included in the group sex, at least as far as I know.  Down, down:

Illimani:

Finally, back at the brewery:

Ariel demonstrates yet another way to carry the beer:

Remo is saluted for making the beer:

Virgens, we got virgens:

Aaron prepares for the baptism:

Salva is honored for beating all the other hashers in the marathon:

Getting ready to initiate the hares:

Having acknowledged that they are not worthy, the hares are ready to receive their blessing:

Shitty trail!  Really it was very good:

Down, down:

All good things must come to an end:

And so Illimani looks over La Paz Hash #30 and pronounces it good:

The next day, we went to Apacheta Collana where I ran and Aimee rode her bike in anticipation of doing the Ascenso next October.

AnnaMaria likes Pringles:

Aimee looks so pro:

Usually the running here starts with a significant ascent and this run is no different:

AnnaMaria found herself some flowers:

Still climbing:

Nice valley looking towards Collana:

The scenery is motivational but the lack of oxygen sucks:

So much vertical relief:

Aimee and me:

Roberto provided the vehicular support:

What a great playground: