Four-Wheelin' in the Dunes

My buddy Manuel invited me out to do some four-wheeling yesterday.  He told me he'd pick me up at 8:45, and in a very un-Chilean fashion my phone rang at 8:45 with him outside my apartment (I thought I'd have at least 15 more minutes to wake up).

We made our way south and west, stopped at a gas station to meet the other "Jeeperos" from the four-wheeling club.  As the group grew we then pressed on to the coast, to just south of San Antonio, where we would find our sandy dune destination for the day.

We stopped in the pebbles on the beach to drop the air pressure in the tires - down to 10 psi for traction.  We moved onward and progressed through a woodsy area and on into the dunes, where we climbed some steep inclines and did some general exploring.

For lunch we stopped at a large opening and grilled various meats over the coals. We shared stories and ate various meats before we headed off again, did some more climbing, exploring and engine-fixing.  We followed the path back to the beach where we re-filled the tires and headed back to Santiago.  Only one car casualty for the day, Patricio had to be towed back home.

My friend Manuel invited me out for the trip. 

Getting the group -- they're called "Jeeperos de Chile" -- ready.

Making our way onto the beach.

Drop the air pressure from 30 psi to 10 psi, more traction on the sand.

Starting off.

Weaving through the trees.

This guy caught a bit of wood between the tire and the rim.  No problem, it got removed a bit later in the day.

Our first bit of climbing practice.

This guy's second try to the top.

Some motorcyclists tried out some jumps as we repaired one of the Jeeps.

Black sand.

Sand is a good exfoliator and grease remover.

Mid-day asado.

La parilla.

Someone brought cuchuflí, a traditional sweet dessert.

It's a bit of dough filled with manjar (dulce de leche).

More climbing practice.

Exploring the dunes.

Another, a fan and water pump breakage.

Steep!

A bit of a bad spot.....better get the tow straps.

Working the tow straps.

Pulled out, no problem.

Re-pump the tires.

The only casualty for the day -- a quick tow back to Santiago.