"El Camino de la Muerte," that's what they call the North Yungas Road. It is the Spanish for "Road of Death". The North Yungas Road, is a 61 to 69 km road leading from La Paz to Coroico (Bolivia’s capital), 35 miles (56 km) northeast of La Paz in the Yungas region of Bolivia. It is a major route for trucks and buses and the only connection between several Andean villages and the outside world.
Legendary for its extreme danger, the Inter-American Development Bank labeled it as the "world’s most dangerous road". When it is dry season, the road is a ribbon of dust. Sandstorm is churned up everytime cars pass by. Clouds of dust obscure the way ahead. When the rain comes, rainwater cascades down the walls of the abyss. The drenched road make the stretch slippery. Limited visibility is also a cause of accidents due to fog and vapors rising up from the heavily vegetated valley below and don't forget the tropical downpours which can cause landslide. It is estimated 200-300 people perish yearly on a stretch of road less than 74 km long. Stories had been told that vehicles plunge off the road and into the ravine down to a kilometer deep valley. There are many visible reminders markings like crosses and stone cairns, wreckage of lorries lie scattered around at the bottom but hazards couldn't be avoided.
Sources:
bubblews.com
en.wikipedia.org with-open-eyes.com oddee.com
ubertramp.com ssqq.com dreamers1.com
Legendary for its extreme danger, the Inter-American Development Bank labeled it as the "world’s most dangerous road". When it is dry season, the road is a ribbon of dust. Sandstorm is churned up everytime cars pass by. Clouds of dust obscure the way ahead. When the rain comes, rainwater cascades down the walls of the abyss. The drenched road make the stretch slippery. Limited visibility is also a cause of accidents due to fog and vapors rising up from the heavily vegetated valley below and don't forget the tropical downpours which can cause landslide. It is estimated 200-300 people perish yearly on a stretch of road less than 74 km long. Stories had been told that vehicles plunge off the road and into the ravine down to a kilometer deep valley. There are many visible reminders markings like crosses and stone cairns, wreckage of lorries lie scattered around at the bottom but hazards couldn't be avoided.
In 2006, a new road (a by-pass) from La Paz to Coroico was opened to public and it features bridges, drainage, multiple lanes, pavement which is far safer than the original route. Now, cyclists rule the road and fancy their chances in this +heart-pounding and craziest downhill on Earth.
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| the winding Road of Death as seen from the village of Coroico |
Sources:
bubblews.com
en.wikipedia.org with-open-eyes.com oddee.com
ubertramp.com ssqq.com dreamers1.com
Road of Death (El Camino de la Muerte)
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
January 31, 2013
Rating:
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
January 31, 2013
Rating:
Yikes, I wouldn't ever be on that road. Ever. Way to dangerous. Should be regulated. All vehicles head only one way during a certain time then reverse it for the opposing traffic. Back and fourth so the vehicles are only traveling in one direction.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. ☺
I think that's a good idea but since it's a long stretch of road connected to Amazon rainforest, it would be difficult for traffic enforcers to do their job or to control vehicles or even if they find a way to signal the vehicles from the opposite direction, it would take too long. Everyone just want to pass through despite the hazards.
DeleteIt's beautiful but I would be too scared to try to trek that road!
ReplyDelete