Chapter 8 8.Andas Mountains

So far no serious accidents have occurred to the people who have traveled across Chile.But now, all the obstacles and dangers that mountain travel inevitably encounters come at the same time.The struggle against the various difficulties of nature is about to begin. There is an important question that must be resolved before departure: which way can cross the Andas Mountains without departing from the original route?Everyone asks the guide. "I only know two ways to go in this area of ​​high and low rocks," he replied. "Must be the Arica road that Mandoza discovered in the past?" Paganel said.

"Not bad." "And the road south of Vera Rica Ridge that is also called Vera Rica?" "Exactly." "Then, my friend, both roads have a problem, either too far north or too south." "Can you suggest another way?" asked the major. "Yes, that is the Andu Valley Trail. It is located on the slope of the volcano at 37°30' south latitude. That is to say, it is only half a degree away from our planned route. De Cruz protruded, and the height was only a little less than 2,000 meters." "Well, do you recognize this Andu Valley path?" Sir asked the guide.

"I know it, sir. I've walked that road too, and I don't mention it because it's a trail that barely passes the herd at best. It's taken by the Indian cattlemen on the eastern foot of the mountain." "Then, friend, we can go wherever the white ring Shi people's horses and oxen can go. Since the path is still in a straight line, let's take the path. " Immediately, the signal to move was given, and the party descended into the valley of Las Lejas, flanked by great clumps of crystalline limestone, the road rising with a barely perceptible slope.At about 11 o'clock, we have to bypass a small lake, which is a natural reservoir and the confluence of all the small rivers nearby. The scenery is excellent.The river gurgles here, and then disappears in a piece of tranquility.On the lake is a plateau layer by layer, covered with forest and grass, where the Indians' cattle and sheep graze.After passing here, there is a swamp stretching from north to south. Because the mule has the ability to cross the swamp, everyone survived safely.At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, it was bypassing the Fort Palenna.The hillside has gradually become steeper and rocky, and the stones roll under the mule's feet, forming a kind of gravel waterfall.When it was almost 3 o'clock, there were many ditches and ruins destroyed in the native uprising in 1770.These ruins are full of picturesque.

"Really, mountains are not enough to separate people, but blockhouses are added!" Paganel said. From here, the road is not only difficult, but also dangerous.The slope of the hillside increased, the path at Yantou became narrower and narrower, and the valley below the bank was appallingly deep.The mule walked cautiously, with its nose on the ground, sniffing the mountain road.People lined up one by one.Sometimes, after turning a steep bend, the "Madelina" disappeared, and the caravan followed its bells from afar.There are also times when the winding trails fold the mule team into two parallel rows, and the leading guide can talk to the "companion" at the tail, separated by a crack less than 20 meters wide and hundreds of meters deep The above forms an unbridgeable gap between the two parallel teams.

However, in this mountainous area, there are still herbaceous plants fighting against the rocks, but people already feel that the mineral world is invading the vegetable world.A few pieces of lava that have solidified are iron-blue in color, with needle-shaped yellow crystals rising up. People can tell that they are not far from the Andu Valley Volcano at a glance.The rocks are piled up layer by layer, crumbling, not conforming to any laws of balance, but they can still support each other and cling to each other without collapsing.Obviously, as long as there is a slight vibration, these rocks will change their shape. We see these sloping peaks, crooked domes, and biased domes, and we know that the mountains in these areas have not yet been finalized.

In this condition, it is difficult to identify.The huge skeleton of Andas Mountain is shaking almost constantly, so the passing route is often changed. The marking points that recognized the way yesterday may not be in the original position today.So guides are often confused.Stop and look around, recognize the shape of the crust, and look for the Indians on the brittle stones, for there is no way to know the direction! Jazz followed the guide step by step.He understood and felt that the guide's annoyance increased with the difficulty of the path.He didn't dare to ask him. He thought: the mule driver should have the same ability to know the way as the mule, so it's better to trust the mule driver. Maybe his thinking is not unreasonable.

For a whole hour the guide wandered, so to speak, but always gradually into higher ground.Finally he had to come down altogether.They were then entering a narrow valley, one of those narrow gorges which the Indians call "Geberaladas."A cliff of cloud porphyry, peaked, barred the exit.The guide searched for a while, could not find his way, and dismounted from his mule, and waited, arms folded.Sir came up to him and asked: "Lost your way?" "No, sir." "But we're not on the Andu Valley road now, are we?" "We're still on the Andu Valley road."

"Are you right?" "I'm not mistaken, you see here are the ashes left by the Indians burning bonfires, and there are traces of sheep and horses." "Then, this road was walked by other people!" "Yes, but I can't go through now, the last earthquake blocked the road..." "Block the mule road but not the human road!" said the major. "Ah! It depends on what you do. I have done my best. If you are willing to go back and find another way among the high and low rocks, my mule and I are ready to go together. go back." "Isn't there going to be a delay?..."

"At least three days." Jazz listened to the guide's words and remained silent.The guide, of course, acts by contract.His mule could not go any further.However, when the guide suggested turning back, Sir looked back at his traveling companions and asked: "Are you willing to go this way regardless?" "We would like to go with you." Austin replied. "Even walking in front of you," Paganel added, "we talk about it, what is the problem? The problem is to climb a mountain range, and the downhill road on the other side of the mountain is not as easy as that on the other side." Compare! When we cross the mountain, we can find the Argentine Pagano who guides us across the mountain and the fast horse used to gallop on the grassland.

Don't hesitate, just go ahead. " "Well, go on!" cried the Jazz's traveling companions. "Can't you go with us?" Sir asked the guide, turning his head. "I drive mules!" "Then do as you please." "We don't need his company. When we get to the cliff, we can find the path of Andu Valley again. I promise to lead you to the foot of the mountain. I am no less than the best guide in the high and low rocks in this country." Garnell said. So the Sir settled the bill with the guide, and dismissed him, along with his "companion" and mule.Weapons, tools and dry food were carried separately by the seven passengers.Everyone unanimously decided to climb up again immediately, and walk for a while if necessary.On the slope to the left there was a winding path straight up and down, really impassable for mules.The difficulty was indeed great, but after two hours of exhaustion and twists and turns, seven people went to the route of Andu Valley again.

By this time they had come to what was really called the Andas Mountains, not far from the highest ridge of the great rocky rock.However, no matter the roads or roads, they are no longer recognizable.A recent earthquake had turned the whole area upside down, and there was only a gradual climb up the ridge from the raised stone shell on the mountainside.Paganel couldn't find a way to go, and was a little at a loss for a while, so he had to climb to the top of Andas Mountain. The average altitude of the top of the mountain is between 3300 and 3600 meters.As luck would have it, the weather was fine, with clear skies, and the season was good for pedestrians.If it is winter, between May and October, it is impossible to climb like this: the severe cold climate will freeze pedestrians to death at once; It's called "Tengbolar", and I don't know how many people are scraped by it into the deep pit with high and low rocks every year. Jazz and his party climbed all night.Everyone climbed up those layers of rocks that were almost impossible to climb. Everyone jumped over those wide and deep cracks. Such heroes who risk and face hardships are like a group of clowns in a big circus, performing trapeze.That's when the burly Muradhi and nimble Wilson come into play.These two honest Scots ran about and labored here and there, and several times the little company of travelers would have been unable to pass without the zeal and courage of these two.Sir kept looking at little Robert, because of his young age, lively personality, and worrying people, lest he would make trouble.As for Paganel, he continued to move forward with the kind of enthusiasm that is characteristic of the French.As for the major, he only moved when it was time to move, no more, no less, just right, as if nothing had happened, he slowly climbed up in a calm and unhurried manner.For a few hours, he might not have felt that he was going up, or he might have thought he was going down. At five o'clock in the morning, according to the barometer, they had reached an altitude of 2,300 meters.At this time they were on the second level mesa, which was the end of the arbor field.There are several wild beasts jumping there. If the hunter meets them, he will be ecstatic, and maybe he will make a fortune.These vigorous beasts also seem to know that hunters like to hit them, so they run away when they see people from a distance.Among those wild animals, the first is the llama, which is a specialty of the mountainous area. It can replace sheep, cattle, and horses, and live in places where even mules can't survive.There is also a large-eared mouse, a small rodent, tame and timid, with good fur, shaped like a hare or a wild mouse, with special long hind legs, like a kangaroo.It's lovely to see this nimble little creature running like a chinchilla up and down the treetops. "It's not a bird, but it's not a quadruped anymore," Paganel said. However, these beasts are not yet the inhabitants of the highest point on the mountain.At a height of 3,000 meters, near the snow area, there are groups of extremely beautiful ruminants: one is a camel, covered with long hair like velvet, and the other is a hornless goat, slender and imposing, The hair is very fine, and zoologists call it "the horned antelope".But this kind of little animal, you don't want to get close to it, you can't even see it easily, it escapes like a bird spreading its wings, slipping away soundlessly on the blindingly white snow layer. At this dawn, the appearance of the entire mountain area has become completely illusory and uncertain.Numerous dazzling large ice rinks, with a little light blue color, stand on the cliff, reflecting the dawn light.It is very dangerous to climb the mountain at this time.You have to probe carefully first, and when you touch the crack, you can't venture forward.Wilson had already run to the front of the line to spearhead, testing the ice with his feet.The companions followed his footsteps cautiously, and avoided talking loudly, because any louder voice would turbulence the air and shake down the heavy snowballs hanging seven or eighty feet above their heads. They have already reached the bush area, and after climbing more than 250 meters, the bushes will give way to grasses and cacti.At an altitude of 3,300 meters, even these things are gone, and the plants are completely extinct.Passengers only took a rest at 8 o'clock, simply eating something to recover their strength, and then mustered up the courage to continue to climb up at greater risk.You have to step over the ice edge like a knife point, and you have to climb over the deep pit that makes people dare not look down.The roadsides in several places are lined with wooden crosses, a testament to the constant mishaps that have occurred in this place.Shortly before 2 o'clock in the afternoon, a bare and desolate desert-like flat land spread out among steep mountains.The air is dry and the sky is blue.At this altitude, rain never occurs, and the water vapor turns only to snow and hail.Scattered porphyry or alabaster peaks break through the white shroud like carcass and decayed bones. Sometimes, fragments of silica or gneiss, eaten off by the wind, roll down with a deep sound, It is barely audible due to the thin air. However, that small group of passengers could be said to have more than enough energy.Seeing that his companions were exhausted, Jazz regretted walking so far in the deep mountains.Little Robert fought desperately against fatigue, but he couldn't go any further. At three o'clock, Jazz stopped. "It's time for a break," he said, for he saw that no one else was willing to start the suggestion. "Rest? But there is no hiding place!" said Paganel. "However, rest is necessary, and it is more necessary for Robert!" "I don't want rest, sir," answered the brave boy, "I can still go... Everyone, don't stop..." "Let someone else carry you, my boy," said Paganel. "At any rate you must go to the east. You may find a hut on the other side of the hill. I ask you to walk another two hours." "Do you all agree?" Sir asked. "Agreed." The traveling companions answered unanimously. Murady added: "I'm in charge of carrying the baby." We continue to head east.Another two hours of laborious climbing.Everyone always climbs up, climbs, and climbs to the highest peak.Due to the thin air, everyone has difficulty breathing. This phenomenon is called "hypoxia".The blood oozed from the gums and lips because of the loss of balance, and perhaps also from the snow, for at high altitudes snow obviously corrupts the air.Since the air is thin, it is necessary to breathe harder to speed up blood circulation. This kind of organ activity makes people tired, no less than the reflection of sunlight on the snow surface.However strong the will of the warriors may be, at this moment the most valiant of them are overwhelmed, and that dreadful ailment in the high mountains—dizziness—decreases not only their strength, but their stamina, and It is inevitable to suffer losses in this kind of fatigue struggle.After a while, more and more people fell down. Once they fell, they couldn't stand up, so they had to crawl on their knees. This journey of climbing took too long, and everyone was exhausted, and they couldn't support it any longer.The vast snowy sea, the cold air that cracked his skin, the night shadow that gradually engulfed the mountain peak, and the fact that he couldn't find a place to spend the night, Jazz couldn't help but tremble with fear.At this moment the major suddenly exclaimed in a calm tone: "There's a cabin over there!"