We've spent some time checking out what lies just outside the city of Santiago in the canyons and into the mountains. What we've found are beautiful mountain landscapes, new friends, great beer!, and infinite opportunities for exploration.

A few weeks ago, we set out to find some climbing close to the city. What we discovered is a beautiful canyon about 25 minutes outside Santiago called El Arrayán. 

Winding up the streets lined with mutant-sized aloe-like plants, the street went from paved to dirt. We parked Scarleta and headed on foot deeper into the canyon, bypassing the local horses and several friendly dogs. Flowering cactus scattered the hillside and we caught the last bits of fall here with the leaves yellowing and falling to the ground.

El Arrayán features volconic rock with dozens of routes graded from 5.8-5.13, close together and well bolted. It almost felt like an outdoor climbing gym!  

We also spent a few weekends checking out areas in the Cajón del Maipo. This canyon is about a 45 minute drive south east of Santiago and, if the road continued all the way through, you'd find yourself in Cajón de Arenales where we were earlier this year.

 Many folks travel here to take advantage of the hiking, horseback riding, hot springing and climbing. There are several areas for climbing - big wall, trad, sport - you name it! And, it's incredibly beautiful.

We spent a weekend camping (down by the river) and climbing at a mixed trad and sport area called Las Maloses. Though it got cold and rained a lot of one of the nights, it made for a beautiful morning waking up to snow dusted peaks.

We spent another weekend in the Cajón del Maipo with our friends from Tunuyán and Tupungato, Argentina at their friend's place near the town of El Manzano. We were incredibly excited to check out some different climbing areas and also discover the best beer we've found in Chile by far! Their friend is owner and head brewer of Cerveza Palestra. He makes a hell of an IPA and another delicious beer we tried, Puemo Ale, which includes a local ingredient that he's used - and patented - for this beer. We'll be heading back to visit for the climbing and the muy ricas cervezas!

Our scenary has changed a bit since trading in our van dwelling lifestyle for apartment living. Our doors don't open directly to the riverside or rocky ground; however, we still have mountain views and beautiful sunsets! They just happen to be from the 19th floor patio of our apartment in Santiago.

We're begining to settle in to our digs in the bustling neighborhood of Las Condes which is east of Santiago's city center. Several factors were in play when we chose our apartment but location was probably the biggest. Though we're off a main road heading in and out of the city, this was a strategic move so that we could easily get out of town! The noise of traffic - constant horn honking, bass bumping, car alarms going off and tires screeching -  is our background noise nearly any hour of the day. Quite the change from what both of us are used to!

We're about a quarter mile from a metro station and we purchased bikes for super easy commuting to work and Spanish school so we really only utilize the car on weekends (so far). Oh, and a climbing gym is conveniently located around the corner. 

Here's a look inside:

We obviously had to have a room dedicated to our gear!

Next up is finding the best of the five sushi restaurants within close proximity to our place, the cheapest price on fruits and veggies between the three markets within walking distance, and which out-of-town climbing destination takes the least amount of time to get to door-to-door. And, we're looking forward to exploring what this city is all about - from music to food to other interesting things that make this city the center of Chile's largest conurbation.

As you can see, we've got plenty of space for visitors (guest bedroom pictured above)! Let us know when you want to make your reservation. Breakfast and (instant) coffee included with your stay.