Cerro Arco Trek

 A few days into Mendoza, after plotting to get out of this bustling hostel I decided to do something with my life. The choice came down to Mountain Biking and Trekking. Mountain biking sounded very appealing until I had flashbacks of my poor wrists from snowboarding and decided to stick to only one extreme sport per month, for now at least. So on a trek I went, which turned out to be a code word for ¨pretty steep hike¨. Well here are a few recaps

The trek took about an hour and was full of beautiful scenery, as everything has been in this region. It also served as good exercise, since I seem to have forgotten how to do that consistently (don’t kill me coach).

While looking out over the city, a group of men arrived and caught my attention. You can read about what happened with that in Story Time.

Had great conversation with my new found friend Val, who is a German woman living in Austria. Side note: a substantial amount of my first conversations with people have been about government, politics and religion (faux pas), and the one with Val was no different but it was AWESOME. That is all.

Le group (Val in red)

Snowboarding: Valle Nevado

One day, after talking to a guy in my hostel and looking at the mountains I decided...let's go to the snow! I was cold everyday anyway, so I might as well make it worth while. (It's not snow-cold in Santiago but I'm cold nevertheless). So, the rest is below!

Problems:

1.Figuring out my lead foot; the right was more comfortable but the left had more control...I don't know what that means!

2. I can't go slow

3. I can't stop...unless I fall



Because of this, falling became inevitable especially when I came close to other people or turns I was unsure of...sad times. However, I had a blast!

Mid-slope chat







A snippet on the action

I was hot so I laid down for some snow AC

Accidental pic I liked

On the lift

Waiting for my teacher

Chico, my teacher, and I