17-Jan-2009 -- This is the ninth confluence that we visited during our trip to Peru, Bolivia and Chile (see map). The story starts from 12°S 77°W.

Coming from 24°S 70°W in the morning, we continued the Pan-American Highway further south. Around 12:30 p.m. we reached the nearest point of the highway, which is 10 km away. Shortly after passing an intersection with a road to the south-east, we found a track due west, that took us within 350 m to the confluence. Here we parked our car, although it would have been possible to drive directly to the confluence. But driving to the point would have meant to permanently “destroy” the nature of the confluence with our tire tracks. Such tracks can last for centuries and can even be seen in Google-Earth.

Within a 5 minute walk we reached the confluence point. We didn’t notice any plant- or animal life. The barren land gave us the impression to stand on the moon – with scattered rocks of different sizes lying around.

We continued our drive for another hour on the Pan-American Highway and stayed the night at the coastal town Taltal.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to an asphalt road: 9.9 km
• Distance to a road: 9.9 km
• Distance to a track: 350 m
• Distance to houses: 13 km
• Time at the CP: 13:22 p.m.
• Hiking time (distance): 5 minutes (350 m)
• Measured height: 2011 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy at the CP: 7 m
• Topography: Plain with a slight slope. Hills can be seen at the horizon.
• Vegetation: none
• Weather: sunny, 30° C (felt temperature)
• Description of the CP: 40 km north-east of Taltal in the middle of a gravel-sand desert with scattered stones that gives the impression of a moonlike appearance.
• Given Name: The Moonlike Appearance Confluence

Story finishes at 26°S 70°W.