It was hot but not as hot as Mendoza so I decided to go for a 15km walk to a waterfall in a sort of nature reserve. Lola was meant to take me but she gave up after 200m.

Just up from the hostel is a reserve with mountain refugios and days of trekking to do but I felt vulnerable without a map and compass at least so I stayed along the river to get to the waterfall. I got off the main path straight away by accident so ended up following wild horse and cattle trails through the bush which led to very scratched up legs! I had trousers to put on but it was just way too hot.

On the way back I was on the wider path which was a bit less lethal to the legs.

There were tons of beautiful Andean flowers along the way which I was a bit snap happy over.

A bunch of people came up from Mendoza for a New Years BBQ at the hostel. The place was full. Margaret came up as well as Erin who just climbed Aconcaqua with the company I am climbing with. She gave Margaret and I lots of tips on kit and the low down on what to expect with regards to the altitude and what it does to your body. As well as the unpleasant aspects of having to carry everything out which is what should happen as we don’t want to damage the environment but it doesn’t sound appealing walking behind everyone carrying their shit bags!

After the BBQ a fire was lit to sit around until midnight. After wishing everyone Happy New Year I lay on the grass looking up at the stars thinking of all the guys back at base in SG and what a great year 2011 was.

I think the highlight has got to have been my parents coming to see me in SG it is great to have them understand what a special place I lived for 14 months and be able to appreciate it.

Happy New Year everyone I hope 2012 bring you everything you wish for.