Spring came late to the Alps this year and winter left lots of snow in the mountains. So when the spring sun heats alpine valleys there is plenty of color and temperature contrast to make thermals strong. For me the first longer XC flight this spring was along the classic Slovenia-Italy route. Starting from Kobala and flying to Gemona along the Stol range and back. Almost 100km. I am waiting for more.

There is more photos from the last weekend in Slovenian Alps at the trip page here. Enjoy: https://www.facebook.com/events/397867623640892/

Photo: Flying over Kobala looking West toward Kobarid and Italy, Soca Valley, Julian Alps, Slovenia

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The weather forecast was predicting excellent flying weather in Julian Alps and I was hungry of big air. So I drove the whole night to get at the takeoff at eleven in the morning. The cumulus clouds started already to develop high above snowy peeks and I knew it is going to be fun. And it was. I flew high above Alps’ peeks still covered in deep snow. You can imagine what an experience it was for somebody who lives in a desert and usually flies over sand dunes and sunburned rocks.

Photo: Spring paragliding over Krn – the highest mountain around Soca Valley, Julian Alps, Slovenia

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I planed it as the longest unsupported expedition I organized. It was even longer than that – almost 40 days in untouched Patagonian wilderness. Life has different peace during trip like that. We achieved all the planed goals: packrafting long and narrow remote Fiordo Pulpo (Octopus Fjord), the first recorded exploration of the most remote glacier of The Northern Patagonian Ice Field – glacier HPN3, opening a land & water route between Tortel and Laguna San Rafael. We have not seen any humans during the expedition and going trough Patagonian jungle tired us but the prizes were worth all of it: riding packrafts between a group of dolphins, seeing leopard seal leaping into the air at an arm distance, witnessing disintegration of HPN3 glacier tongue, playing with gigantic icebergs, being an explorer. Western Patagonia is still a place where a human is an unknown visitor, where forest stands untouched for thousands of years, where everything obeys nature’s natural laws.

More photos, video and a writeup will follow soon. Stay tuned.

Photo: Proglacial lake of unnamed HPN3 (only number) glacier of Northern Patagonian Ice Field chocked and fully packed with icebergs and pack ice after the glacier tongue disintegration, Patagonia, Aisen, Chile

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We packrafted 170km (105miles) of crystal clear turquoise waters of Palena river. Right from the Patagonian Andes to the Pacific ocean. The river winds trough canyons surrounded by snowy peaks and volcanoes. The river beaches have white sands and plenty of space for camping. Sometimes it felt like the boat was suspended in the air. The water was so clear that you could see every single pebble deep at the bottom. I believe it is the best multiday river run in Patagonia. It was an excellent warmup for this active Patagonian summer.

Photo: Packrafting rio Palena with volcano Melimoyu in the background, Patagonia, Chile

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I simply fell in love with Slovenia, its mountains, and above all flying there. Those who went there with me last year know what I am talking about. I could not resist and we are going back to Slovenia this year, to the European Alps. The dates are 20-29 June 2013. Last year we had excellent flying time with XC flights of over 100km. I can honestly say that it is one of the best flying location in the Alps and in Europe. We had in our group of 13 an international mix of male and female pilots from Chile, Peru, USA y Poland. I simply cannot wait to get there and if you want to join us please let me know. All the details of the trip can be found here.

Photo: Chuck Savall from Colorado paragliding along Stol and Mursi ranges on an XC flights from Slovenia toward Italia, Soca Valley, Slovenia.

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What a great paragliding season this year in Iquique. Great cross country conditions in October and November were virtually every day. Plenty of +100km flights. Often I flew more than I slept. In October I was visited by a team of Aircross pilots. I could not resist those beautiful wings and had to shoot them a desert photo session. Please enjoy the photo results here: Aircross Iquique photo session

Photo: Gerard “Gege” Chouvin flying over The Mystic Dunes on his Aircross USport Evo paraglider, Iquique, The Atacam Desert, Chile

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Antofaya’s Jarek Wieczorek takes the 1st place at the sport category at Argentinian Paragliding Nationals 2012: It was fun to fly over the mountain jungle in Tucuman, Argentina. As my regular flying location is the Atacama desert you can imagine how different it is from the rain forest. Around fifty pilots took part in the competition. Three out of four tasks were flown. The lesson from the competition is that while having good equipment is important the crucial thing is good tactics and piloting skills. I flew AirCross UCross paraglider.

Photo: Paragliding at Loma Bola during CAP 2012, Tucuman, Argentina. Photos by Jarek and Boga

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This year Antofaya XC Sky Challenge will happen on October 28th, just a couple of days before the Iquique Open competition. We will try to fly 200km to Iquique from the “Level 2″ takeoff at the highest sea cliffs in the world near Tocopilla, Chile. Last year, half of the participating pilots beat their personal records with the longest flight of 190km. More info here and here.

Photo: Level 2 takeoff on the highest sea cliffs in the world, Tocopilla, The Atacama Desert, Chile

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A must read for any paraglider pilot who wants to come to Chile and fly above the Atacama Desert:

“I bailed first as the thermal weakened, and found myself above an amazing plateau of a hundred undulating little peaks and dips stretching half a mile north and west. The late afternoon sun emphasized the colorful, jagged texture. The plateau sat atop a point that jutted west from the mountains all the way to the sea. I circled slowly, entranced by the beauty below. As I gained altitude bit by bit, an idea began to form. Could I go up the coast by flying over the plateau? Did I dare? What if I had to land in the middle of those badlands?” … read more

Photo: Paragliding over Toro plateau near Tiliviche Canyon, Pisagua, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile

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Jorge Rivera joined Antofaya Expeditions’ Slovenian trip and he writes about his memorable 100 kilometers flight:

“It was a total of 100 kilometers flying along high mountain ranges of which some rise over 2,500 meters in altitude with impressive and imposing rocky walls. A wonderful show that one can only see in great sport video documentaries.” … read more

Photo: Jorge Rivera on his 100km XC flight spanning Slovenia and Italy, Monte Musi range, Parco Regionale delle Prealpi Giulie, Julian Alps, Italy and Slovenia

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This trip exceeded all my expectations. Slovenian Julian Alps delivered more than I could wished for. We hit the perfect flying weather at the end of June. There were some personal bests. There were a few 100km flights. There were classic Slovenia-Italy-Slovenia out and return XC flights. There were Italian pizzas galore. Everybody at our group of 13 had fun.

I am already planing the next year trip. And here are the daily photos from our paragliding in Slovenia. So if you could not be there with us this year then you can see what you missed – Slovenia 2012 daily photoblog.

Photo: On an XC flight from Soca valley in Slovenia toward Gemona in Italy, Julian Alps, Slovenia and Italy

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The flying season in Europe is full on. A few days ago I had an XC flight, which spanned three countries! It would not be possible a few years ago but now there are no more borders in Europe and flying between countries is effortless. The cloud base was at 3,000 meters and green hills of the Carpathians extended far past the horizon. Flying here is very different from flying in the desert of Iquique. Technically it is a mix of mountain and flatland flying. If you are low you look for thermals along the ridges and sunny mountain faces. If you are high you use cloud streets and jump from one cloud to another.

Photo: Paragliding over Carpatian Beskids mountains, Czech Republic

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The very first ever solo expedition and ascent of Antofalla volcano 6440m (21,130ft) – the North-western summit – one of the highest and most remote volcanoes on the planet. It was on my to-do list for years. Two weeks of acclimatization and warm-up climbs, 220 liters (60 gallons) of gasoline loaded in my truck, GPS with all possible planed routes, 30 liters (10 gallons) of water, plenty of pasta and tomato sauce, crampons, and beer from Tierra del Fuego. Then I was screaming from joy running down on pumice gravel on the steep slopes with endless view in front of me. I climbed Antofalla, cheers.

Personal advise from my own experience: Be very careful while opening your beer at the 4700m (15,400ft) basecamp to celebrate.

Photo: Approaching the snow line while climbing North-westerns slopes of volcano Antofalla, Puna de Atacama, Andes, Argentina

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Lost in the high Andes between two long ranges of remote volcanoes. A hundred miles long jewel. A place of eerie beauty and colors I thought nature cannot produce. A place of an endless horizon where Earth is still forming. A place where you never stop smiling. My visit to Salar Antofalla – a place of unbelievable landscapes.

Photo: Salt and mud mountains at the North-Eastern Salar Antofalla, Puna de Atacama, Argentina.

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The largest paragliding magazine on the planet – Thermik – features a portfolio of my photographs showing the beauty of flying over the Atacama desert in Chile. “Thermals, soaring, and record in Northern Chile – The desert wind”, photographs by Jarek Wieczorek, text by Tim Mayer. Highly recommended. If you haven’t been to Iquique yet this may just convince you to plan your next paragliding destination. You can buy the magazine in electronic format here or in print here.

Photo: Paragliding over the Atacama desert, Chile.

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160 times per minute – that is my hart, 80 times per minute – that is my lungs. A life more intense at 5500m (18,000ft).

Photo: Summiting Volcano Tuzgle 5530m (18,140ft), Puna de Atacama, The Andes, Argentina.

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It looks like the universe never wanted me to get there. For years I tried but it did not happen. Next attempt is in order then. Volcano Antofalla 6440m – very large, very remote, at the hart of Puna de Atacama on the shores of Salar de Antofalla. So desolate that you can hear echo of your own thoughts. Perfect place to meet my old friend Mephistopheles, isn’t it? The date is set. I am already on my way in the Andes. Some info here.

Photo: Winter view of volcanoes at Chilean part of Puna de Atacama, The Andes, Chile.

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The very first sign of ending summer is the better flying weather. Of course it is not that good as in high October-November season but we were able to get very high and have an aerial paragliding tour of Iquique port. And the glide of modern high end wing is something you would not expect. It feels like you could fly them to Japan on the other side of Pacific.

Photo: Aerial paragliding tour of Iquique port, the Atacama Desert, Chile.

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This June we are going to celebrate the joy o cross country flying. Flying in beautiful Alps of Slovenia. After spending in Slovenia my European summer last year I simply fell in love with this place. I fell for its grand wild silver mountains, its spectacular flying, its emerald rivers, its green valleys, and people who smile a lot. Slovenian Alps were simply created for paragliding. Yes, they were. You will be telling me the same while laughing when you land on a green meadow deep in the Alps after a long XC flight. I dare you because I know. Come, I am taking you with me to Slovenia to have lost of fun while flying. Learn more about the trip here.

Photo: Paragliding toward Bovec valley from the Stol range, Kobarid, Julian Alps, Slovenia.

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The rally purpose build custom cars cost around one million dollars each. They are driven by celebrity drivers who do not shy from insulting other competing drivers in instant worldwide tv coverage, dumping those stranded in the desert without help or even driving over other competitors. The judges involved in politics. Promotional ball-pens and hats. Sponsored teams with multimillion budgets. Fenced off bivouac camps guarded by platoons of armed police and security. Wounded desert with wrecked landscape. How far did Paris-Dakar go from his legend of epic passionate trans Saharan rally for adventurers?

Photo: An off-road racing truck crossing the coastal mountain range at Pampa Perdiz during Dakar 2012 rally, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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The biggest paragliding playground on the planet and a pilgrimage destination for pilots. It is a 1000m tall and 10km long sand and dunes covered ridge. Since Palo Buque sits just in my backyard I sometimes forget what a big treasure I have here. So I go and fly there at sunset over the Mystic Dunes and it reminds me why I fly.

Photo: An acro pilot having fun on a virgin sand slope, Palo Buque, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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Real pilots sleep in their wings. Sleeping-bags, tents, pillows and girlfriends are redundant. I love watching men with a passion. They push boundaries, they do not care about daily comforts, they always walk looking at the sky thinking about being there, and their faces light up when they talk about flying. Actually they hardly talk about anything else. So what do you do when you are not siting in your office? You kite-board? Do puzzles? Run marathons? I fly.

Photo: Paragliding Tiliviche camp at The Vulture Ridge, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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It is the season in the desert and we have been flying every day for hours. We barely have time to sleep and eat. Both the familiar and the remote desert flying sites give us the best possible weather this year. I bet you wished you were here flying with us. Not sure? See the photos from our daily photoblog and you will jump on your next airplane heading to Chile.

Fly Atacama 2011 daily photoblog

Photo: Ned Izraelsen flying over Toro plateau near Tiliviche Canyon, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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The 4th great annual Antofaya BBQ at the dunes of Palo Buque is taking place Tuesday, November 15th and is featuring grilled fish and sea food plus plenty of Chilean wine and cold beers. All pilots present in Iquique are very welcome. If you miss it you will have to wait a whole year for the next one. We will start lighting up the charcoal and open the free bar at 5PM. Send me your RSVP.

Photo: After Landing – a free bar at the dunes of Palo Buque, The Atacama Desert, Iquique, Chile.

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Summer is coming to Patagonia and this year Antofaya Expeditions will continue exploration of uncharted fjords, valleys and glaciers of this pristine land of unheard beauties. We will hike, paddle, and camp in places where no other explorers got before us. We are preparing our fifth month long expedition to unexplored parts of Western Patagonia. If you want to join us on this very anticipated trip or just read more about our plans please visit the Expedition Explorers website.

Photo: Jarek Wieczorek – the host of this blog exploring in his packraft one of the northern arms of San Quintin glacier – the largest glacier of Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Patagonia, Chile.

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I visualized this flight tens of times. I imagined myself taking off high above the clouds. I daydreamed about flying over the deep canyon of Loa river. I looked at gliders down low at Palo Buque. I pictured myself flying into Iquique at dusk with street lights on. I dreamed about this flight for a long time. Aren’t our dreams what we live for? Tocopilla (Level 2) to Iquique – 190km – over 7h in the air. More here.

Photo: Jarek Wieczorek – the host of this blog gliding along the Atacama Desert coastal range in the Loa river area, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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Iquique is the only place in the world where you can flight right above the town. Every paraglider flight in Iquique ends with a final glide from the mountains of The Coastal Range toward landing on one of the Pacific beaches and takes you right above the city, above a square pattern of streets, above swimming pools and a stadium, above a shipping port, above a bay full of fisherman boats and above high-risers lining the coast.

Photo: Leo Andrade on a final glide above city of Iquique, the Atacama Desert, Chile.

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Another addition to Project Colorada. This time our desert off-road exploration took us to the highest sea cliffs in Chile. It is a 6.000ft (1800m) vertical drop straight to the ocean! And yes, we are preparing a brand new takeoff there – Level 2. The views are breathtaking as it is way above the permanent Atacama inversion layer which means it is often high above the clouds. It should make paragliding XC flights from Tocopilla toward Iquique much easier. We will be testing it very soon.

Photo: Sunset view from the highest sea cliffs in Chile and the highest paragliding takeoff of Northern Chile – Level 2, Tocopilla, the Atacama Desert, Chile.

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On October 23 (Sunday) Antofaya Expeditions is organizing a paragliding XC Challenge trying to fly 200km to Iquique from a brand new takeoff on the highest cliffs in Chile – 1600m. Number of available space limited. Please email me to sign up. More info here.

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Antofaya crosses The Andes – on foot. It took us five days of strenuous trekking along ancient Inca paths to cross the spine of South America – The Andes. We trekked from a desert village of Tilcara on the Western side, climbing various ranges and crossing deep valleys. We ended in a hamlet of San Francisco in lush jungle on the Eastern side of this longest mountain chain in the world. The maximum altitude we reached was 14,000ft (4300m) asl and minimum 3,300ft (1000m) asl. It is over 2 miles (3 kilometers) vertical climb. And we had to do it multiple times summiting each range! I wish we could do it as easily as condors do it – our only companions during this adventure.

Photo: Camping in the hart of the high Andes between Tilcara in Humahuaca Valley and San Francisco in Calilegua, North-Western Argentina.

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It is spring in Tucuman. It means it is the time when thousands of hectares of lemon plantations are in bloom. Every single thermal is filled with nice sweet smell of flowering citrus trees. You do not want to stop circling. It is a paragliding aromatherapy.

Photo: Carlos Curi flying his paraglider over lemon tree plantations in Tucuman, Argentina during Argentinian National Loma Bola Paragliding Championship.

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Sidetracked magazine publishes a story about Antofaya’s exploration of remote corners of Patagonia.

“Our eyes are not used to this land of contrasts. Standing on a white sand beach in hot summer sun you see snow and ice-covered mountain peaks topped with lenticular clouds. Glaciers that descend from those ice fields do not flow through barren, rugged mountains but instead crash into rain forest—jungle filled with ferns, moss, bamboo and layers of fallen trees and colorful insects, into meadows covered in blankets of flowers.” …. read more

Text by Jarek Wieczorek. Edited by Rianna Riegelman “Patagonian Explorers”
Photo: Hiking along remote Pacific beach, Playa San Quintin, Istmo Ofqui, Patagonia, Chile

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As every year this November is going to see lots of colorful paraglider wings flying over the driest desert in the world – The Atacama Desert in Chile. We are getting ready for our annual adventurous pilgrimage to Iquique – the most consistent flying destination on the planet. And again we will cover countless XC miles and again we will fly from down to dusk and again we will host the famous desert BBQ for all pilots. So what are you going to do this autumn when it rains outside? Join our flying tour to a place where it never rains. Details here.

Photo: Steve Torgesen flying over Tiliviche Canyon and Cero Torro plateau, The Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 19:40 under paragliding,traveling
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I am a spoiled brat. I am a spoiled pilot who lives in the Atacama Desert where we have 360 flyable days in a year. Now I am traveling in the Alps and learning meaning of word “para-waiting”. It means checking weather daily, choosing location, driving hundreds of miles, siting on a take-off for long time, and then it is raining anyway. Or worst, snowing like in Chamonix a couple of days ago. And it is the middle of the summer! All of it is so foreign to me. I am a spoiled brat and my European paragliding friends make fun out of me.

Photo: Piave river flowing trough vineyard covered foothills of the Alps, Bigolino, Treviso province, Northern Italy

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The great San Quintin glacier splits into two creating Ventisquero Andrees and then spreads its huge piedmont lobe into the marshes of Ofqui isthmus. Beyond that are the uncharted fjords of Western Patagonia. Even farther into the Patagonian Andes there are valleys, rivers, lakes and glaciers never visited before. Expedition Explorers IV 2011 took us into this hidden mysterious world. See it for yourself here.

Movie: Expedition Explorers IV 2011 – The Great San Quintin, Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Aisen, Patagonia, Chile. (http://www.vimeo.com/21908794)

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 08:27 under packrafting,traveling
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I am spending my austral winter far away from the desert. It is very green here and flying is great. Mountains are covered with forests and valleys are full of small villages. There is plenty of paragliders here and take-offs are big grassy fields. It so different from what I am used to experience and see from the air. It is Czech Beskids.

Photo: Lysa Hora range and Sance reservoir and dam, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, Czech Republic.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 19:18 under paragliding,traveling
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We are rebuilding what was taken by erupting volcano Chaiten. We are rebuilding Casa Hexagon – farther south in the hart of Patagonia with views of the ice fields and the lake with waters bluer than skies. Stephan, the owner of Casa Hexagon, is full of positive energy. I am sure the version 2.0 will be even better than the original Casa Hexagon. Don’t miss it during your next Patagonian adventure. You can find it outside of Puerto Guadal.

Photo: Constructing a new house of Casa Hexagon, Lago General Carrera, Aisen, Patagonia, Chile.

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How do you come down from the land of your dreams to walk on the solid ground? How do you accept earth after visiting heavens? It has been days since I came back and still I cannot neither talk about it nor think about anything else. I guess this year you will need to wait a bit longer for a story about what happened this austral summer in Patagonia around The Northern Patagonian Ice Field.

Photo: Packrafting near one of the northern arms of San Quintin glacier, Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Aisen, Chile.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 03:54 under packrafting,traveling
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Another article by Rianna Riegelman a member of Antofaya Expeditions is featured by South American Explorer Magazine in issue #94. This time about endemic flora of the Atacama Desert.

“Some corners of the Atacama report no recorded rainfall -ever- and support no life. Other parts of the Atacama receive regular seasonal rainfall and support a variety of vegetation, some wildlife, and even human agriculture. Believe it or not, the Atacama Desert hosts more than 1,300 native plant species. Approximately 60% of those are believed to be endemic to the region.” …. read more

Text by Rianna Riegelman “Chile: Sol Survivors”
Photo: Cactus from an endemic genus Copiapoa at Southern coastal Atacama Desert, Llanos de Challe National Park, Chile

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What a busy November! Flying every day. Flying every day more than once. Conditions were superb especially for the first half of the month. I think I got almost 100 hours in this one month. We did multiple San Marcos to Iquique XC flights of 95km, cloud soaring at Chipana, Pisagua trips, plenty of sand dune flying. Not to mention my new sporty glider from AirCross.

Photo: Bob Janzen from USA flying over high wind mountain desert area called “cementario dos” during one of evening XC flights, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 14:11 under paragliding
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I get many questions from people who never been here or never been at any desert. How is flying here? When is the best time to come? Paragliding in Iquique is very different than what you have experienced anywhere before. It is not ridge soaring, it is not extremely hot here and logistics are complicated. The rewards are just unbelievable. And if you are a person who is inspired by what you see you will be coming here every year. Or maybe even you will come and settle here as I did. The desert is simply stunning but it takes dedication to see this beauty. Beauty which is beyond words for me. So I take photos and share them with those who want to watch.

Photo: Flying a brand new competition paraglider over the mountain dunes on a long XC in the desert, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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This new XC takeoff will become a hit. It is the best XC takeoff in the greater Iquique area. It has everything: big, safe and flat launch area facing prevailing winds, enormous sandy landing in front, high altitude difference of 600m, easy access even by a car, spectacular desert views 360 degrees, perfect XC distance to Iquique. We have opened it a few weeks ago and been flying there at every chance. It simply rocks. Check it out for yourself.

Photo: A pilot flying his competition paraglider MacPara Magus 6 from the new XC takeoff Chango, The Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 20:17 under paragliding,traveling
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Alpacka rafts got us to places in Patagonia where nobody was able to get before. We love these ultralight and super rugged boats so much that we decided to make them available for all Patagonian adventurers. We sell Alpacka packrafts in Chile and Patagonia. Get them at Antofaya website.

Photo: Alpacka Packrafts at the proglacial lake of Benito Glacier Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Aisen, Patagonia, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 21:09 under packrafting,traveling
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Days are getting longer, sand is getting hotter, cloudbase is getting higher, cross country season is coming. Winter is over in Iquique. The big fun is about to begin.

Photo: Carlos Curi flying his new paraglider Omega 8 over a desert plateau near Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile

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It took me long time but finally I have photos from last year’s paragliding season in Iquique ready. For pilots who had a chance to fly with me these photos will serve as a nice souvenir. Please enjoy. I hope to take plenty of fine photos of colorful wings over the desert this year, too. The gallery is here.

Photo: Paraglider Pilot’s view of the coastal mountains near Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 02:28 under paragliding
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It is always flyable here but sometimes my job keeps me stuck to my computer desk. For times like that I made a cool paragliding screensaver with over fifty wonderful photos which turn on pilot’s imagination. It is available here for everybody to try: Desert Paragliding Screen Saver.

Photos: Selection of photos from Desert Paragliding Screen Saver

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 18:30 under paragliding
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Project Caleta Colorada continues with establishing the highest paragliding take-off in the greater Iquique area – Arenal. This easily accessible in a car take-off at 900m a.s.l. should make cross country flights between Pisagua and Camarones more attainable. That area is getting more and more popular with pilots looking for desolate desert experience. Multiple XC flights have been already flown there but existing Junin and Tiliviche take-offs pose distinct challenges for an XC hungry pilots. The Arenal take-off is located so high that on days with a lower cloudbase you actually take off above a cloud layer and above the permanent coastal Atacama inversion layer – see the photo.

Photo by Rianna Riegelman: Host of this blog – Jarek Wieczorek – looks over cloud covered Cuesta de Arenal plateau and Tiliviche Canyon near Pisagua, The Atacama Desert, Chile

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South American Explorer Magazine selects Antofaya’s packrafting Expedition Explorers as the feature trip for their edition #93.

“There is a valley in Southern Chile called Valle Exploradores – Valley of the Explorers in English. It is an enticing valley with an inviting name – a fantasyland of dramatic granite peaks, thick green Patagonian rainforest, glacial blue lakes and a milky gray river that joins a wide channel called the Elephant Fjord.” …. read more

Text by Rianna Riegelman “Chile: Packrafting in Patagonia”
Photo: Pakrafting in temperate Patagonian rainforest on Upper Rio Sur, Aisen, Patagonia, Chile

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True off-road flying at one of the most remote Iquique paragliding sites. Past weekend conditions at Caleta Colorada were nothing short of great. We flew almost to Iquique and back. And the views over the Atacama plateau are to die for.

Movie: Off-road paragliding, Caleta Colorada, The Atacama Desert, Iquique, Chile. (http://www.vimeo.com/13710141)

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There are very few tandem paragliding competitions in the world. One of them takes place every winter in Iquique. Not only is it a sport event but a social one, too and tandem pilots from various paragliding school compete in any possible way for publicity for their commercial operations. Solo pilots are allowed to compete as well. And plenty of them show up to flex their sleepy winter wings.

Photo: A tandem paraglider piloted by Philip Maltry with his daughter over Patillos take-off, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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Evey year a small oasis of 500 inhabitants in the heart of The Atacama Desert gets besieged by pilgrims and religious dancers. Two hundred thousands of them! It is a spectacle in its own rights with dancers coming from all over Chile and neighboring countries. They dance continuously for a week twenty four hours a day as a tribute to their holy virgin. During the day they dance in scorching desert sun and in the night they dance in temperatures well below freezing. Christian religion mixed with Aymaran beliefs. It is all there.

Photo: Dancers during religious feast of Fiesta de La Tirana, La Tirana, Chile

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As every year together with Ken Hudonjorgensen I have been preparing another great paragliding desert adventure for this coming November. This year we and our participants will focus on XC miles and discovering new flying locations. Come and be part of this real adventure during the best paragliding season over the desert of Northern Chile. Read more information and see more pictures here.

Photo: Sandro Traussnig paragliding over dry riverbeds of Cerro Toro plateau near Tiliviche canyon north of Iquique, Pisagua, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

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Now I know why in Barliloche people do not make big eyes like everywhere else in Patagonia when I say “a packraft”. Because they know what it is. I met fellow packrafters here. They have been introducing the sport to Patagonia for a couple of years now, the same way as I have been. They had some amazing adventures with their packrafts, too. And of course once we met we had to go packrafting together – four packrafters and five kayakers. We went to Rio Manso de Frontera. The river gave me all I asked for. I wanted to swim and yes the biggest rapid of the river bit me and I went swimming down some rough whitewater, mostly underwater. As Bicho said “I saw his head spinning down in an eddy”. I guess it was my baptism to be a member of Los Coihues Navy.

Photo: A packraft and a kayaker at the put out at Rio Manso de Frontera at the border between Argentina and Chile, Patagonia, Argentina.

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In my previous life I was driving my truck looking for a forgotten road from Fofo Cahuen to Cuchamen, getting lost in the dark, spending a night at the top of the hill, and in the morning dreaming about flying above those remote ranges of Argentinean Patagonian steppe. In this life a friend takes me to his secret flying place. A place so stunning and shiny in the setting sun that you never want to land. And then I realize that these are the mountain ranges of the road I saw long time ago. This is the road to Cushamen. Thank you Martin, Laucha and your newborn Lorenzo for your hospitality. Thank you for taking me on the road to Chushamen … again.

Photo: Aerial view of easternmost Andean ranges near El Maiten and Cushamen, Patagonia, Argentina.

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The very first descent of Jeinimeni river. Yes, we did it! It is sixty kilometers of rock gardens and rapids. There is no time for rest on these turquoise clear white waters of Andes mountains. First we scouted multiple canyons of the river for a few days and then we jumped into our unbeatable packrafts at lake Jeinimeni for three days of exhilarating rafting. The river at its end at lake General Carrera left us aware of every skeletal muscle of our bodies and smiling and happy after a great adventure.

Photo: Packrafting trough rapids of Jeinimeni river, Aysen, Patagonia, Chile.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 14:16 under packrafting,traveling
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Sebastian is a new and dedicated pilot in Santiago. An Argentinean living in Chile. He is a great friend and a fun person to fly with. We spent most of the summer flying together in Las Vizcachas. Our highlight flight we had was a competition race to Chacabuco way past Colina. He wanted a photo session wearing his new and beloved Artik 2. Judge yourself how well he looks in it. See it here.

Photo: Sebastian Alvarez flying his Niviuk Artik 2 paraglider over Las Vizcachas, Santiago de Chile, Chile.

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I am a desert rat. So why do every summer I go to this cold and wet land at the end of the world? Because beauty of Patagonia is beyond any words. Because Patagonia shows everybody what you are made of. Because nothing else smells like Patagonian cypress wood. Because Patagonia shows you what really matters. Because nowhere else rivers are more crystal blue. Because harts of Patagonian people are hotter than anything else. Because no other mountains are sharper than Patagonian Andes. Because in Patagonia you learn more about yourself in a week than you learned earlier in your whole life. Because no fjords are deeper than uncharted fjords of Patagonia. Because Patagonia heals your soul and body. Because once you try Patagonian calafate berry you will always be coming back here. Because Patagonian salmon runs up the creeks like there is no tomorrow. Because Patagonian glaciers still have no names. Because Patagonia is magic.

Photo: Aladdino Varga and Jarek Wieczorek (the host of this blog) getting warm and dry in a cold Patagonian morning in a settlers’ house, Steffen Fjord, Aysen, Patagonia, Chile.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 09:50 under packrafting,traveling
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It was supposed to be a short stop in Santiago on the way toward Patagonia. Then the universe conspired and I stayed two months. There was lots of flying, lots of asados, lots of friends and our laughs. And of course lots of photos. Endless saludos for all my friends in the air an on the ground for the great time I had in Santiago. My summer would not be the same without you gals and guys. Special thanks to Carlos and Mathias. And yes, for some cool photos click here.

Photo: Niviuk paraglider flying over Las Vizcachas, Santiago de Chile, Chile.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 22:03 under paragliding,traveling
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This year I went even farther south. We explored in our packrafts southern end of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. Patagonia served us the usual: wild rivers, enormous glaciers, rain and sun, impenetrable forest, clear lakes, lots and lots of ice and icebergs, ancient cypress trees, misty fjords, and a great adventure. Soon I will post more photos and a write-up of the trip. For now I am getting warm by a fireplace and watching boats passing by in the fjord.

Photo: KSZ paddling her packraft into an ice cave created by melting ice of Glacier Steffen – Southernmost glacier of Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Aisen, Patagonia, Chile.

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O yeah! I am still kicking. And kicking well at the end of the world in Patagonia. I have been busy with fun. No time for updates, no Internet at the end of the world and I love it this way. Autumn is coming to my cypress house on the edge of a fjord and we need more and more firewood to keep us warm at nights. Time to head north, toward the desert. Time for the annual migration. Migration from the ice to the sand. To my other house on a dune overlooking Pacific waves. Friends are waiting. In the meantime some slated blog updates will follow.

Photo: Your host of this blog – Jarek Wieczorek – unloading his packraft on the shores of a proglaciar lake of Steffen glacier, Aisen, Patagonia, Chile. Photo by KSZ.

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On one side of the Andes there is the desert, on the other side the jungle – Yungas. In summer it rains there every day. These landscapes are so different that it is hard to believe that the mountains can have such a great effect on environment. On my way south toward Patagonia I stopped in the jungle to recharge my depleted green batteries. Once the summer is over I will not see anything green for the rest of the year. So I flew over misty mountains of Tucuman and enjoyed grassy takeoff and landing.

Photo: Carlos Curi flying his Niviuk Artik 2 paraglider over Loma Bola, Aconquija Range, Tucuman, Argentina.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 21:14 under paragliding,traveling
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I had great time in October working with BBC Top Gear team on the upcoming Chile Bolivia Special as the location manager. I was glad to share with them all my local knowledge of the Andean Altiplano and the Atacama Desert. It is going to be a road movie about three cars and their drivers starting their journey deep in the Bolivian Amazon jungle, crossing the high Andes and Altiplano, driving trough the driest of all deserts and finishing at Chilean Pacific coast. The show is going to air tomorrow (December 27th, 2009) around the world for millions of avid watchers!

Photo: BBC Filming crew and presenter Jeremy Clarkson on the slopes of Guallatiri Volcano shooting BBC Top Gear Bolivia Special, Altiplano, Chile.

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Every time I look at Sajama I think about an old big man. I do not know why. It rises to over 6500m from a wind swept eastern side of Andean backbone. This is where the highest forest on Earth grows. Trees of this forest – Queñua trees – look like old people, too. Do llamas look old? Noooo…!

Photo: Nevado Sajama volcano (6542m), Sajama National Park, Altiplano, Bolivia.

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And again for the third time for February 2010 Antofaya is preparing an expedition which will find us among the astonishing beauties of southern Chile’s wild lands in the region of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. We will paddle between icebergs, do first rafting descents of rivers, sleep in the shadows of enormous Patagonian mountains and trek in spectacular wilderness and explore enormous San Quintin glacier which eluded earlier attempts of exploration. Visit Antofaya for more info.

Photo: Packrafting in front of Ventisquero Benito glacier, Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Aisen, Patagonia, Chile.

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The highest part of Andean Precordillera and the opening gates to Altiplano. A remote mountain range dividing two worlds. On one side the driest desert on our planet and on the other side a volcanic plateau where air is thinner than humans can breath. And above all Cerro Milagro is a visual feast and a gorgeous outback camping spot – just how I like it.

Photo: Cerro Milagro, Putre, Altiplano, Chile.

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Dreams do come true. I dreamed about flying above The Barefoot Dunes since the moment I discovered them. It seamed virtually impossible because they are too high above the permanent inversion layer, too deep into the desert from the coast, and too remote. Then this perfect day happens with all ingredients just right, like never before. And I am just there, right at that time, right at that moment. And the moment was at the sunset. And yes, I was screaming from joy and happiness. Did the universe help me?

Photo: Sunset paragliding over The Barefoot Dunes, Cerro Oyarvide range, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 03:19 under paragliding
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This place is like a box of chocolates. Every time I go there I get something new, something great. This time after a pioneering XC flight toward Camarones we flew above the clouds for over two hours. Then the glide kilometers into the sea and landing close to the crashing waves of Pacific way after the sunset with landing zone lighted up by a huge bonfire. Then a BBQ on a deserted beach. Then sleeping under starry southern skies looking for the southern cross. All of this laughing with friends and loved ones. Can it get any better? Another day to remember. Another day in the life of the happiest guy on Earth.

Movie: Paragliding above clouds in Tiliviche Canyon, The Atacama Desert, Chile. (http://www.vimeo.com/7555250)

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All the local pilots from Iquique are warming up for the big date. Some got brand new fast wings, some fly every day, some spend hours planing tactics. Speed bars see lots of use these days. Iquique Open 2009 starts in a couple of weeks. Will a local or an alien win?

Photo: Jarek Wieczorek racing cars in his paraglider, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile. Photo by Leo Andrade.

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Last weekend we opened the XC season in Iquique with flights to Punta Piedras and a double run from Patillos to Cavancha. The austral spring has come and the famous super consistent Iquique paragliding conditions are on. I am really looking forward to this flying season. Let’s make some memorable flights.

Photo: Leo Andrade flying his paraglider over the platou above Punta Piedras North of Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile

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Iruya is an old village lost in the mountains of Sierra de Zenta and perched on a cliff. It has this relaxing “end of the road” feeling. From here many Indian trails start going even deeper into the mountains toward small settlements and high pastures.

Photo: Iruya village in the mountains of Sierra de Zenta, Salta Province, Argentina

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Sometimes when I do my research before a trip I find a remote place which seems to be interesting but there is not much info about it because it is too hard to get to, too remote, or simply nobody took interest in it before. And then sometimes I come to the place and there is nothing else to do but just stare for hours with your mouth open. No, it was not me who painted the colors with Photoshop. It was nature.

Photo: Serranía de Hornocal (Hornocal Mountain Range), Jujuy Province, Argentina

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 13:28 under traveling
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After the great sucess of last year’s tour we are doing it again. We are coming back to Iquique this year for more – more flying, more XC distance, more remote desert sites, more sun, more Pacific beaches, more great paragliding. Join us and experience our top-notch logistics, stunning flying locations, in-depth local knowledge, and luxury beachfront hotel. Last year participants logged countless hours in the air and had the best flights of their lives. Will you be part of it this year? The dates are 10 – 17 and 17 – 24 November 2009. More here.

Photo: Leonardo Laserna paragliding Junin cliffs north of Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile

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All the colors of the Argentinian countryside in front of my eyes. My annual Argentinian winter trip took me this year farther South than usual but winter this year is surprisingly warm. As far as central Argentina temperatures of 32°C were recorded. Now call it winter! Back home in Europe we call it hot summer.

Photo: Cuesta de Miranda, La Rioja, Argentina

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I added to the gallery some cool photos taken while paragliding in the Atacama Desert last year. You can see them here.

Photo: Warren Stadler from USA paragliding at the Tiliviche Canyon, Pisagua, Atacama Desert, Chile

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While Europe flying sites are overcrowded with pilots subjected to strict regulations. While in USA land ownership and government policies make paragliding confined to few locations. In Chilean Atacama Desert it is all for you to take (or fly). I have my private flying site here. It is thirty kilometers North of Iquique accessible only by 4×4 off-roading. Tall rainbow colored coastal mountains sliced by riverbeds which did not see water for two hundred thousands years and endless Pacific beach far below. Can your home flying site beat mine Caleta Colorada?

Photo: Carlos Curi paragliding at Caleta Colorada, Iquique, The Atacama Desert, Chile

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Where else in the world can you take a shore thermal straight up to the cloudbase and then glide kilometers out over the sea, fly back, join vultures for another thermal ride up to the cloudbase, go out over the sea, come back, fly over desert mountains, sea, cloudbase, beach, cloudbase, dunes, cloudbase, mountains, cloudbase, desert, cloudbase, ….? I love Iquique.

Photo: Leo Andrade paragliding far off the shore of Iquique, Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 03:13 under paragliding
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Thanks to a cozy cottage of Zapato Amarillo it took us much less time this year to prepare a write up about our last expedition to glaciers of Northern Patagonian Ice Field – Expedition Explorers II – Return to Ofqui. And once again Alpacka rafts allowed us to go where it was not possible to go before. It was our biggest adventure yet with first descents of glacial run-off rivers, visits to five very remote glaciers, some visited only by a handful of people and two that may never have been visited by anyone and are yet unnamed. You can read about it here.

Photo: Rianna Riegelman packrafting between icebergs of the proglaciar lake of Ventisquero San Quintin glacier, Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Aysen, Patagonia, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 03:01 under packrafting,traveling
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It is good to be back in IQQ where summer never ends. Where flying never ends! Conditions are surprisingly good for this time of year with high cloud base and not so strong western winds. Perfect for relaxing XC.

Photo: Leo Andrade flying his tandem paraglider over Iquique’s coast toward Cavancha beach, Iquique, Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 03:28 under paragliding
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Yes, we did it. We went into the one of the very few remaining true wildernesses on the planet, where no human footprints can be found – Western Patagonia. It is a remote land of ice, rock, and jungle where rivers, mountains, and glaciers still have no names. We endured a 35-day unsupported packrafting expedition of two people into the unexplored areas in the region of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. We reached unnamed HPN1 and HPN2 glaciers, we did the very first descents of a few rivers, we survived three consecutive storms with gale-force winds, we hiked in the Patagonian rain forest, and we paddled between icebergs. We had the adventure of our lives.

Photo: Rianna Riegelman looking down on unnamed HPN1 glacier (Ventisquero Hielo Patagonico Norte 1), Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Aysen, Patagonia, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 03:02 under packrafting,traveling
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Together with Leo Andrade – one of the best local Iquique pilots – I have been playing with the idea of leaving the known safety of the Pacific facing megacliff and flying inland toward many dune covered mountain ranges. We determined a bunch interesting areas: the big mountain range of Cerro Oyarvide North of the Airport, a small hills North of Alto Hospicio, and plains of Cuesta Arenal near Pisagua. Let’s see if the next paragliding season in Iquique brings new flying zones.

Photo: Leo Andrade on his Niviuk Icepeak paraglider during the final glide toward Playa Brava after a successful flight over inland mountain ranges, Iquique, Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 19:41 under paragliding,traveling
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Not bad. It took us only nine months to publish an account of our exploratory packrafting expedition in the area of Northern Patagonian Ice Field. Rianna Riegelman wrote the text, I threw in some photos and here it is. What I remember the most from that expedition is this great feeling of discovering unknown. It was a great adventure! Read the full story at Antofaya Expeditions website.

Photo: Shores of Istmo Ofqui and Laguna San Rafael glacial fjord, Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Patagonia, Aysen, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 00:08 under packrafting,traveling
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“Desert Wings 2009″ wall calendar, featuring 12 striking images of paragliders in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. Great souvenir for pilots who have visited Iquique and flown the Northern Chile desert. Simple, elegant column-format calendar makes each month’s poster-size image easy to frame. Large A3 format (30cm × 42cm / 12in × 16in). Available from Antofaya Expeditions and Jarek Wieczorek. US$29 plus shipping. Contact Jarek.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 01:07 under Uncategorized
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After over two weeks of hard work we went for a weekend of play and fun. We flew for fun, we had a big campfire on a deserted beach for fun, we made tasty BBQ for fun, we drank good Chilean wine for fun, we laughed with friends from all over the world for fun, and we slept under stars for fun. We had lots of fun at The Vulture Ridge.

Photo: Paraglider pilot Niki from Italy having fun at The Vulture Ridge, Tiliviche, Pisagua, Iquique, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 08:40 under paragliding,traveling
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I really did not think that we would beat last’s year record of night camping temperature. But we did. It was -21°C near volcano Cerro Granada. But days were relatively warm, which gives daily temperature amplitudes of well over 30°C. And many of the remote lakes of Puna de Lipez we visited were not frozen at all due to their very high salinity and the hot springs which constantly feed them.

Photo: Laguna Helada and Cerro Curutu, Pampa Loyoques, Puna de Atacama, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 01:43 under traveling
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It never rains in Atacama desert but sometimes evenings are misty. Dense cloud banks form in front of the coastal mountain range and then move inland.

Photo: Paraglider soaring inland mountain dunes covered by incoming camanchaca mist, Atacama Desert, Chile by Rianna Riegelman

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 04:39 under paragliding,traveling
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We just have had a fun paragliding competition in Iquique – Copa Altazor. Good flying conditions drew to Iquique over sixty thermal hungry pilots for a weekend of desert flying – pilots of all skills from beginners to experienced competition pilots. The weather did not disappoint and we had two tasks: one from Patillos and another flying above the city. How much good fun was it? Everybody wished they could stay longer.

Photo: Pilot Mike Christiansen flying his paraglider over desert plateau near Patillos launch 60km south of Iquique during Copa Altazor 2008 competition, Atacama Desert, Iquique, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 19:25 under paragliding
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So it is winter in Iquique. It means it is around 15 degrees Celsius during a day. Nevertheless I dream about hot springs full of vapor. Especially after my recent expedition to the land of cold where marrow of my bones froze – well almost. More about it later.

Photo: Hot springs of Termas Geometricas, Conaripe, Chile

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“My name is Jarek and I am a paraglider pilot.” – A magic phrase with power only other pilots are aware of. It opens hearts and makes instant friends. Sometimes high in the clouds in your radio you hear a voice of somebody you have never met giving you courage. sometimes when you land an unknown person comes and hands you a beer. I have thousands of friends who would go an extra mile for me and I do not even know their names. Saludos for all my friends in Santiago de Chile. It was great summer I spent with you. See you in Iquique … My name is Jarek and I am a paraglider pilot.

Photo: Parglider pilot flying his wing at Vizcachas site in Cajon del Maipo near Santiago, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 04:09 under paragliding,traveling
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After tens of thousands of kilometers on South American gravel roads and off-road tracks my truck needed some tender loving care. It got a front axle service. Which means grease, oil, bearings, rubber seals, bolts and nuts. If you ever venture this way have a big 54mm socket ready.

Photo: Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80 front axle Birfield CV joint

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 13:11 under Uncategorized
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I sit by a warm fire in a wooden house while Patagonian autumn brings more and more rain. I sit by a warm fire in Chaiten and try to recall my memories from lands I have visited a long time ago. Memories full of Faces in the Sand.

Photo: Desert driver, Jebel Arkenu, the Sahara, Libyan Desert, Libya

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 15:17 under traveling
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On my way from the desert town of Iquique to the glaciers of Patagonia thousands of kilometers south I could not resist scouting Southern Atacama Desert and Altiplano around Nevados Tres Cruces, Ojos del Salado, and Lastarria volcanoes. It is a spectacular area I must come back to, but my agenda for a few lifetimes is already full. So what do I do now? Should I start planning expeditions for my grandchildren? I will let them see these pictures first.

Photo: Flamingos over Salar de Pedernales, Cordillera de Domeyko, Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 01:24 under traveling
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34 days, 2 people, 1-person tent, 294km paddling and hiking, 60kg of equipment, 6kg body weight lost, no food drop, no logistical support. Three beautiful glaciers, unlimited icebergs, stormy fiords, peaceful lakes, deep valleys, whitewater rivers, wind, rain, subzero temperatures, mud, impenetrable forest, marshlands, gigantic salmon, playful dolphins, wild ferrets, leeches, vultures, campfires, isolation, tranquility, places without human footprints … Patagonia.

Photo: Packrafting in front of Glacier Gualas, Northern Patagonian Icefield, Patagonia, Aysen, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 20:19 under traveling
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For November 2008 I am planing a great adventure for every paraglider pilot. I teamed up with rewarded USHPA instructor Ken Hudonjorgensen and US paragliding champion Bill Belcourt to organize a pilgrimage to paragliding mecca every pilot should do at least once in their lifetime. To the famous Atacama desert flying location – Iquique, Chile. Come and join us and have lots of fun. More information about the tour here.

Photo: Cross country paragliding near Punta Batuco, Iquique, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 15:08 under paragliding,traveling
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We are up to some ass kicking stuff this austral summer. Destination: Northern Patagonian Icefield with twelve calving glaciers, deep uncharted fiords, wild mountain rivers, places without names untouched by human presence, no trails, crazy Patagonian peaks, one month of hiking and paddling. We have adventurous plans and plenty of brand new equipment. I already want to be there. Check out our planed camping spot on day 11.

Photo: GoogleEarth screenshot of San Quintin Glacier, Istmo Ofqui, Northern Patagonian Icefield, Patagonia, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 18:50 under traveling
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I spent almost whole December on gravel roads of Altiplano, contemplating views of ice covered volcanoes, and soaking my but at hot springs while watching star filled sky. December is a good time to go there. Just before rains start. It is warm and days are long giving you lot of time every day for exploration and photography. Have a look at new Altiplano photos here.

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 23:50 under traveling
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A big white sand dune climbs high on a mountain. It is your takeoff. It is tricky. You need to wait for a tiny thermal or a bit of sea breeze to take you up the first couple of hundred meters up. Sometimes you wait very long watching huge deserted beach three kilometers in front of you. If you timing is wrong there is a long, steep, and hard trek with your paraglider on your back in front of you. But if your timing is right and once you get high up, Iquique one hundred and twenty kilometers away is your destination and you will see a lot of Atacama desert broken by maze of dry river beds. Just get high and enjoy.

Photo: Sand dune of Playa Chipana between Tocopilla and Iquique, Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 12:32 under paragliding,traveling
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It is December. Time to sum up the year. This year was simply the best year of my life. Why? Just look at the previous pictures below. And it is just the tip of the iceberg called “Year 2007 in life of the happiest guy in the world”. Yes, I am a lucky guy who lives his dream. It will be hard to beat this next year but I am planing to do so. On my plate for year 2008 you can find:
- Expedition Explorers – Patagonian Northern Icefield circumnavigation along rivers, fiords, glaciers, virgin forests and mountains,
- Argentinian Puna III expedition – volcano Antofalla here we come,
- Southern Chilean Altiplano expedition – more volcanoes and salars,
- Great Bolivian salt flats,
- more Atacama desert exploration,
- flying my paraglider wherever it is possible or not,
- Atacama-Patagonia overland trip.
So now, once I disclosed my plans, I will have to do all of it. Otherwise people will think I am a poser.

Photo: Cono de Arita, Salar Arizaro, Tolar Grande, Puna, Argentina by Rianna Riegelman

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 22:56 under traveling
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In my search for a perfect dune I actually started to live on one. It is my backyard and my landing zone.

Photo: Cerro Dragon, Iquique, Atacama Desert, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 00:47 under traveling
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Tiliviche canyon has already a permanent place at Project Caleta Colorada. It is a beautiful afternoon flying site at the mouth of a steep desert canyon with Palo Buque style take-off, endless deserted beach in front, high cliffs of the coastal range at the back, space for exploration, and perfect Pacific sunset every evening.

Photo: Paragliding in Quebrada Tiliviche, Pisagua, Atacama, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 17:03 under paragliding,traveling
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Does anyone actually know what is hidden in the extreme North-East corner of Chile? High above 4500m there is a plateau of vistas not from this world. And you need to take it slowly, slowly meter of altitude by meter or your head will explode. Gods made it on purpose this way so if you do not crawl there on your knees they punish you for lack of respect for the great beauty.

More photos from Altiplano here.

Photo: Volcanos Parinacota and Pomerape, Lagunas de Cotacotani, Parinacota, Altiplano, Chile

Filed by Jaroslaw Zygmunt Wieczorek at 01:44 under traveling
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