Gringo Chileno

  • Springtime

    Amidst historic rainfall in Santiago, spring is in full bloom. that means flowers as far as you can see. The most common around me is the California poppy. It’s not native, but it certainly enjoys it here. Fields of camomile too. Also not native, this one came from Europe.

    Rob Pugh
  • A condor perched on a rocky outcrop high above Santiago

    Condor

    The Andean condor is the largest flying bird in the world, measured by either weight or wingspan. Its wings reach about 11 feet across (3.3m), and it weighs up to 33 pounds (15 kg). I went on a hike yesterday and saw a condor up close. Normally they’re never in this area, let alone standing…

    Gringo Chileno

  • Casi Sunrise

    Got to sneak out for a sunrise hike this morning on Cerro Alvarado next to my house. Actually pre-sunrise, it doesn’t peak out over the Andes until after 8am in late summer. This cerro is great because it offers 360 degree views. And I can walk there from my house. And there is never anyone…

    Gringo Chileno

  • Cruz of the Cerro

    Got an extreme closeup of the cross on Manquehuito this morning. Failed at a pullup. The tall building on the right is the Costanera Center, the tallest building in South America.

    Gringo Chileno

  • Torres del Paine

    I finally got the chance to visit Patagonia and hike the W trail at Torres del Paine National Park. 4 days, 53 miles, 10,600 ft elevation gained. The entire thing was surreal. An incredible, beautiful life-changing experience. Nice work on this one, Chile. Day one We started at the welcome center and walked to the…

    Gringo Chileno

  • Disappearing Cerros

    One of the most incredible things about Santiago is the amount of hiking you can do within a short drive. The locals call them cerros, which means hills, but those of us from altitude-impaired places would certainly call them mountains. Check out this lovely view from Cerro Alvarado, showing off the bright green only available…

    Gringo Chileno

  • Oil change

    I guess this qualifies as the prettiest highway oil change I’ve had.

    Gringo Chileno

  • Skiing

    Skiing is a lot different in Chile than the US. It’s only 15 miles (25km) to the slopes from the Santiago suburb of Lo Barnechea. But it takes an hour and a half to get there, if you don’t hit traffic, or as they say here, taco. Yes, taco in Chile means traffic as often…

    Gringo Chileno

  • Wintertime

    Winter in Santiago is not the winter I’m used to. First, it’s August. Which is hard for a northern-hemispherian to wrap their head around. Then, it’s chilly, but it’s not really cold. Temps only get down to 40-45 (4-7 C), so the only snow you’re seeing is up in the mountains. It rains a lot…

    Gringo Chileno

  • Muuuu

    This week I went on a hike in the northeast corner of Lo Barnechea. We had to start out going through some new suburb construction, and found some interested characters watching us. I love how both hikers and cows refuse to let the new fences stop our movement into the wilderness.

    Gringo Chileno