July 29, 2022 to July 30, 2022
my impact on Madre Tierra
After having dropped off my bike for some levado, mientamento I started exploring Ipiales.
I woke up early and took a colectivo to Tuqerres hoping to witness Laguna Verde. Incidentally the driver of this colectivo was a bici aficionado and a Tuqerres native. He directed me to visit the oficina of alcalda. There I learnt that due to basura y destrucion by visitors the Laguna Verde has been closed for some 4-5 years now.
After eating some breakfast, I intended to make the most by atleast walking upto the gate of the Laguna Verde.
It was a beautiful 20+ km walk through countryside and elevation went upto 11200 ft.
After seeing the above entry prohibited sign, I turned around but found a different trail that I hoped would give me a glimpse of the Laguna. That was a beautiful trail with lots of paramo of Narino countryside. I was the only one on that trail and saw a lot of flora including beautiful yellow orchids. And, I turned around at the time (2pm) I had set for myself.
Throughout the day I was very disturbed by the reason the Laguna Verde had been shutdown. I am sure many other beautiful places around the world will face the same fate of basura, destrucion and hard decision of access to visitors or keeping the nature pristine.
On my way back, I ended up doing something I had avoided all of past month. I started picking up trash along the way and had a bag full. At one point, I had to stop picking as I realized it's a never ending game.
Towards the later half of walk, I was able to get a lift from 3 "poor" colombian farmers who dropped me off in Tuqerres but refused to take any money.
I wasn't able to pickup bike this evening so I ended up deciding to spend another night in Ipiales.
On picking up my bike on 30th, I was directed to this "no name" tailer shop so that I could get some repairs on most of my bici maletas. This led to best experience of Colombia thus far..
Today's ride: 5 miles (8 km)
Total: 814 miles (1,310 km)
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1 year ago