La Campana day 2 - we attempt to climb it, but don't. 26 April 2016

The hotel in Omue was great, old masonry building with polished tile floors and ancient fixtures (like us) and we slept well. Up before daybreak for a visit to the Nothofagus forested valley on the shaded side of the mountain. The day started well in fact nothing more required for any day, as we watched fire crown hummingbirds feeding right beside the breakfast room, on a heavily laden persimmon tree. What a bird - so tiny, pumped up and squeaking like maddened mice, chasing each other like tiny darts and flashing their crowns in a very bright iridescent display. A nightmare to photograph so a bit of time spent in the attempt. Outside was surprisingly cold, about 6 degrees C, but the forecast was ok so we innocently thought we need take no warm clothes on our trip into the forest. What a mistaka to maka. Unknown to us was that we would be driving the vehicle, if possible, up a rough track to 3 maybe 4 thousand feet and then having a crack at the top, via a steep rocky track. So somewhat cold, me in two light layers and Shanti in light sneakers etc we headed upwards, on a track that became increasingly frozen with ice crystals extruding from the ground. We ascended about 1200 ft maybe through to nearly 5,000 ft, about an hour short of the summit. The ticker was getting a workout - 4 or 5 thousand feet is not that high but if you go there in a short drive then undertake some exercise you know all about it. Charles Darwin climbed La Campana on the Beagle expedition and wrote about a waterfall high up, which now bears a memorial plaque with that same waterfall running over it. We did make that point and a bit higher but the top was going to exceed our resources, and Shanti in particular wasn't equipped for walking on the rough and moderately steep ground so we thought stuff it who needs to get to the top? Not us apparently and we headed down. The forest was more enjoyable on descent, as one did not have to concentrate on ones breathing! It is extremely attractive as the canopy thins out at altitude into a delicate, fine trunked forest with a deep leafy litter. We also had terrific views down the valley and could see both the Andes and the coast line, so that's how thin Chile is. We returned to the hotel for lunch then drove back to Santiago via an alternative route that took us through more of this rural area. North of Santiago the arid Santiago basin gives way to a broad swayth of moderate hills from the Andes to the coast, but with many valleys and smaller plains. On these they grow pretty much anything on the rich soils, whereas the slopes were rough and rocky,often cactus laden. Rural towns were dotted about. Low passes crossed the hills on occasion and always the extra elevation always gave a wider view of the Andes. We stopped and admired them we can't get over this magnificent alpine wall that extends as far north and south as you can see. Looking forward to crossing them very soon!