An epic road to Abra Taapaca
Abra Taapaca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.809m (15,777ft) above the sea level, located in the Nevados de Putre volcanic complex, in Chile's XV region of Tarapaca.. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Chile.
The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called A-23. In dry conditions, the road is navigable by all passenger vehicles, but a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. The last part of the climb is extreme. There are a few steep kilometres. Don’t forget water, food, extra fuel, a warm jacket, a good GPS and maps. At the top of the pass are two, greatly exaggerated, ‘5,250 msnm’ signs.
The pass road is 45.1 km (28.02 miles) long, running south-north from the paved Carretera Internacional CH 11, (15kms) east of Putre, to Papujune. Remember this is a mountainous area, climbing up a high mountain, with a notorius absence of oxygen. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor.
Pic: Maca Pérez