Vertical Dune Sprinting

One day during our stay at Andes Lands in San Rafael, we went to the local lake, which presented a great opportunity for the four of us to rent a canoe, paddle row around the lake together, and then moor at the beach on the other side of the lake.  There is a huge cliff there that on closer inspection is like a very steep sand dune.  We decided to start climbing and see how far we could get. The hot sand was an encouragement to travel quickly, as it was so hot it burned your toes if you stayed in the same place for more than a few seconds.  We adopted a strategy of zigzagging slowly upwards, pausing in the shadows of whatever bushes we could find. An hour or so later, long after the point at which we rued the idea of not bringing water, we made it to the top. We must have descended in under two minutes, almost running in huge strides where the near vertical sand slope acted as excellent brakes.  It was gratifying to be able to run into the cold lake for a swim.

Almost there......

Finally at the top.  Hold on to your hats!

Afterwards, the boys fancied canoeing around on their own.  We had a short instruction session together and then we anxiously allowed them to paddle off  hoping they wouldn’t crash into anything or anyone.  It was good swimming practice trying to keep up with them, but thankfully they kept themselves out of trouble and started to get the hang of it.  

Boys canoeing, trying to avoid swimmers and water skiers!

As we prepared to leave after a lovely, if energetic afternoon, we realised Louis had lost his baseball cap.  There was only one place it could be - on the sandy cliff. Louis and I soldiered up there, in the hope that it had fallen off near the start.  No such luck, it was right at the very top, so up we went again!  But at least going back gave Louis an impromptu chance for a go on a sandboard which some teenagers kindly offered to him as we retraced our steps upwards.