Today’s plan for an activity from Awasi Atacama is a hike from Guatin to Gatchi, following the Vilama river through a small canyon. This is a great hike which starts at about 3200m and takes about 3 hours to complete. The evidence of the force of the water that has passed through the canyon is shown in the flatten pampas grass, and the ‘tide’ mark of the water well above head height.
The other impact of the flooding rains is shown in Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna), much of which is closed to visitors due to the fragility of the salt formations emerging after the rain.
The most popular activity in Moon Valley is the climb of one of the big sand dunes leading to rocky ridge looking out over the valley. Ordinarily sandy and red, the valley now has a carpet of white salt, which completely changes the complexion of Moon Valley. Now it looks like it has snowed in the driest desert in the world. Storms are still threatening – black enough to completely obscure the view of Licancabur that can usually be had from Moon Valley.
The rains may be new, but the wind is still the same old gale force sweep through the valley. By the end of the evening, I’ve acquired a brown beard of sand on my face, and have ‘coal mine’ eyes from the effect of salt around my sun-glasses.
