Traversing the Atacama Desert in a rented Toyota Hilux 4x4

My good friends, Daniel and Paula, recently rented a Hilux and explored the sand and dirt tracks of Northern Chile.  A flight into Iquique, a drive to Pica and they were off into the lands unknown, traveling through the Atacama Desert along the way.  Daniel sent the following account of their visit to share with the Georgia Overland readers. Enjoy!  -David

About Paula and Daniel

As I sit in Paula's Santiago apartment and look out over the Andes, I try and remember all the small details of the last four days we spent in the Atacama, the driest desert in the world.  I'm still a little tired from our overnight flight from Calama, Chile, back down to Santiago.

First off, let me tell you a few words about myself.  My name is Daniel (Ed. note: his screen name is zolo on the ExpeditionPortal.com Forums) and I have been friends with David a while now.  We met a couple years ago, before my motorcycle trip to the Arctic Circle and Deadhorse, Alaska (Ed. note: visit ATLtotheArctic to learn more about this fantastic ride for the Susan G. Komen Fund).  Since David has been to the Arctic Circle a few times, he was a good resource for information and maps.  Since then, we have been friends and I have been a big supporter of Georgia Overland. I like the site, the maps and the idea of remote off-pavement travel.

Coming Soon: Traversing the Atacama Desert in a rented Toyota Hilux 4x4

Yes, you read that right.  My good friend Daniel Palazzolo has a story to tell involving a woman, a desert and a diesel Hilux.

Yuma, indeed.

Thoughts on the Adventure Travel Film Festival 2012

Simply fantastic!  I attended the Film Festival last weekend (May 4-6) held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which turned out to be the perfect location.  Thanks again to the friendly staff at NOC for pulling the facility-side of this festival together.

The film festival was hosted by the massively interesting and terribly funny adventure travel duo of Austin Vince and Lois Pryce.  It was a genuine pleasure to finally meet and chat with them in person.  Thank you, Austin and Lois!