Descending from the heights

From our high cold and beautiful campsite at over 4000m we can only descend. The descent is slow. The gravel road is difficult and although relatively new, is already much eroded in places.
We reach the “main” road - which looks about the same as the previous more minor roads and soon roll into the mountain village of Mollepata which has a wonderful view over the mountains and valley. We rest a while on a shady bench (quite a rarity) and admire the view.
Then its some more descent. The road now varies between 2-lane smooth tarmac and single-lane dirt through the landslides that are on every hairpin bend. The concept of landslides enters an entirely new dimension on these roads snaking through mountainous piles of rubble. Its a bit like trying to build a road through an enourmous sand castle.

The next climb will be a long one and is reserved for tomorrow, so we will take it gently today and camp low down ready for the climb. One of our cycling apps suggests a wild camping spot which is perched on a ledge above the valley - an abandoned part of the old road. Its an eagles’s neat, hidden and secluded with wonderful views.Read more