Lars in Bolivia: July 2011

Together with Herbert (Belgium) from SurBike Tarija, we went climbing and repelling (abseilen) 3 of the 4 waterfalls in Marquiri.

Just before you reach Marquiri, you can find an Inca sun stone. The stone represents the sun with a face and 4 eyes. Depending on at which eyes you are looking, you will see a happy or a sad face.

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Inca sun stone

Ready to go.....

Local farmer is re-roofing his house.... the ancient style!!

Local flora; cactus growing on a tree branch

Just in front of the biggest waterfall, you have a big boulder stuck between the walls of the narrow canyon. The route for this climb and repel is not yet secured, so we will climb it later this year. The plan is to climb all the way to the top, repel down to the boulder and than repel from the boulder all the way down.

Waterfall and boulder

Beautiful nature

Herbert securing our first repel spot

And down we go..... my first repel in 10 years!!

At the bottom of the first waterfall and repel

The scenery and nature was absolutely breathtaking!! Unfortunately, since it is winter right now, it was a bit cold and we had little sun in the canyon. We will definitely go back and do it all again in summer.... and bringing a well filled pick-nick basket ;-)

We by-passed this waterfall, since you can hike down and do not need to repel

An absolute gorgeous spot sit down and just enjoy it all

Herbert prepares our water crossing and next repel

The 2nd waterfall, less high than the first one, but straight down

This was the second and most spectacular repel, the noise of the water, the beautiful scenery..... just fantastic!!! Well, all besides the freezing cold water at the bottom.... we had to swim for a few meters to get across, but that was enough to freeze you down to the core!