Vic Canata

Vic Canata talked about his expedition to Bolivia with his son Chris ostensibly to scale the three highest volcanoes in Bolivia. Their intention was to para glide from the top. The best laid plans!!!

Initially all went well. They arrived in La Paz and stayed in the Ritz no less well a bit less that the Ritz we know but still very nice. After a bit of sightseeing they proceed to the volcanoes. They stayed in a village hut close to the volcanoes, well close enough give or take 15 to 30 kilometers. Conditions were poor. There were no showers and rudimentary toilet facilities. Setting of to their first hike they made base camp on the volcano slope in a two man tent which he said was more comfortable than the hut. They made it to the top with difficulty as the volcanic dust and shale made it like climbing sand dunes. They each had 90 kilo packs half of which was water. Not easy. It was wort it as the views from the peak were spectacular. After coming down and resting the tackled the highest but Chris had taken a drink from a stream and came down with dysentery and they had to come down quickly. Vic had to leave Chris at the bottom well insulated and trek 30 kilometers for help. Chris survived and they made it back to civilisation. Unfortunately the weather was very unseasonal and they were presented with high winds which prevented them from para gliding. They returned home muck lighter but happy both having survived and having had a great adventure.