Bolivia Expedition Dispatch

May 10, 2019 – Hike to Muela del Diablo ("Tooth of the Devil")

It is amazing in La Paz. Everything we do is acclimatization because we are already at significantly high altitude.

Yet we are in a city. Yet we are surrounded by fantastic natural landscapes. Yet we are surrounded by a mix of traditional Andean people and culture along with the modern scenes.

It only took a short time today to walk out of the modern city to a small farming village of Chuarque. The team seemed eager to get their legs moving. Just before we began hiking Eddy help us with the technique putting cocoa leaves in our mouth with the proper amount of bicarbonate paste. It is amazing how much better every one is breathing now after two nights spent sleeping a 3,300 meters. Maybe it was the acclimatization or maybe it was the cocoa leaves but the guides soon had to tell the guys to slow it down a bit.

The weather was warm for La Paz today and the skies were the clearest that we have seen yet. Our goal was the jagged rock called "Tooth of the Devil", at 3,950 meters. The city seemed far away and there were only a few locals out to enjoy the countryside with us. We got our pace adjusted nicely and told stories as we walked along. About half way up we stopped and took the first pulse oxygenation measurements. Everyone was looking great, in the low 90% range.

When we reached the top we found Alexandra and Jorge waiting with a lunch that had been prepared by BAI staff in the morning. Roast Chicken, Rice, Fresh Greens and Potatoes, Bread and Olive Oil - and for this group, lots of Picante Sauce. Before we had lunch we scrambled up to the saddle between the rock summits of "the Tooth" for the views and to get some photos.

A walk back down to town went quickly and we were back at Casa Grande Hotel by 3pm. Preparation for our departure to Base Camp Illimani tomorrow is on everyone's mind now.

Stay tuned. We will let everyone know how it feels to leave "civilization" for a mountaineering Base Camp as we continue to move higher.