ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY, THE WORK OF PEPPER K. ETTERS

South America: Altiplano Expedition

The Altiplano or “High Plain” is one of the most continuously elevated pieces of land in the world. It sits between the Eastern and Western Andes of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, and is around 750 miles long by 120 miles wide, the majority of which is in Bolivia. The landscape is dramatic and rugged, alternating between active 20,000-foot volcanoes and vast basins that support herds of camellids, flocks of flamingos, and native Aymara and Quechua cultures.

I set off with freind and fellow adventurer Tim Hare to explore this remarkable region on February 20th, 2005.

Recognizing that to truly understand a place and its people, one must imerse oneself within it, we decided upon a route and mode of travel that would open doors and allow us to imediatly seperate ourselved from any stereotypes in the eyes of the locals. Our chosen vehicle to traverse one of the earths most desolate and inhospitable landscapes was therefore decided to be on foot, accompanied by a faithful train of burros.

A traditional centerpiece of Andean life, the coca leaf's importance spans cultural, spiritual, economic, historical and social bounds. On a mundane level, the nutritious plant provides increased tollerance for hard work and helps in the adaptation to life at high altitudes. In addition, the traditional importance of the leaf has resulted in a high symbolic and spiritual significance.
  
  
     
  
   
  
     
  
   
  
     
  
   
On the outskirts of sleepy San Juan, funery towers of volcanic tufta dot the horizon. Placed among pottery, food, textiles, tools and protective amulets over 600 years ago by the hands of thier kin, the mummified remains of the region's early ancestors face the setting sun. The very nature of this "Necropolis," the fact that there are no fences, glass, or even a lonely caretaker, sums up the authenticity of our imersion in the region. We feel as if we are the first to walk upon this ground, and know we are among the few outsiders to journey across this forgoten corner of the world.
  
On the outskirts of sleepy San Juan, funery towers of volcanic tufta dot the horizon. Placed among pottery, food, textiles, tools and protective amulets over 600 years ago by the hands of thier kin, the mummified remains of the region's early ancestors face the setting sun. The very nature of this "Necropolis," the fact that there are no fences, glass, or even a lonely caretaker, sums up the authenticity of our imersion in the region. We feel as if we are the first to walk upon this ground, and know we are among the few outsiders to journey across this forgoten corner of the world.
     
  
The pace afforded by non mechanized travel, combined with the utilization of local pack animals not only offered us insight into the realities of life in the Altiplano, but provided an immediate introduction to our hosts in each village by establishing us more as equals than as tourists.
  
  
     
  
   
  
     
  
   
  
     
  
   
  
Quinoa provides the local populations with a reliable source of important nutriants as well as economic security.
     
  
A hearty crop and nutritious food, quinoa is the stapel of Bolivia. Not only is this amazing plant frost resistant, but it turns a high yield in the dry semi-dessert conditions of the Altiplano.