After checking in at @altoatacama we got back in our van and began driving again. Down a winding but paved road through terrain that made me think of Mars or the Moon we drove, till suddenly we turned off onto what was hardly more than a gravel path. Bouncing and flying about we climbed higher and higher in elevation till it felt as if we were on the precipice of something huge. But whatever it was, was still hidden. Emerging from the van, and looking down, an expletive escaped my mouth before I could stop myself because Valle de La Muerte was before us and it was more than worth the wait. So many colors, so many layers. This was taken on the very edge before we descended down into the valley where it becomes sandy, just before we slid down the dunes all the way to the bottom! (Check out @ladyshark's account to see a photo I took of her literally sitting on the edge.) Apparently the name Valle de La Muerte isn't original for the area, but comes from a Belgian priest who was evangelizin...