To Bolivia - 2

Tuesday 24th

It´s a cold damp start to the day. We pack up sodden tents. Resuming the freezing descent in to the valley. Evergreens give way to deciduous trees and the jungle thins. We pass a beautiful lake.



And reach San Salvador de Jujuy to make repairs. I changed my chain in Salta and it´s been making a noise like a machine gun set to rapid fire ever since. We find a mechanic shop and borrow tools to change sprockets. Dani repairs the bodge job done to his bike in Salta.



Leaving San Salvador, the climb begins.



Bolivia is higher than Argentina. The border is around 4000m and Salta is a lowly 1250m. We knew at some point we would go up. Now we know it´s going to be for the next 250kms. We rise towards the clouds, mountains looming in the mist...



The viewpoint in the valley just before Leon...



We ascend an exausting 900m before coming upon a tiny village. Enquiring at the police station we are allowed a camp spot behind the church. He warns us of the freezing winds that howl up the valley from the south... We´re at 2000m altitude and it´s minus a few degrees. It´s only going to get colder from here on....