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There is very little in the desert of northern Chile to remind me that it's Christmas! It is hot, incredibly dry and always windy. However, I have seen the odd Christmas tree and decorations. I have to say that Santa in his big red outfit fit for the North Pole and toy snowmen look very bizarre in the Atacama desert. You would think that Santa would have found some comfy shorts and they would be making sandcastles instead!

Nick, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ cameraman who flew out to film with me for three days last week brought a few cards from friends and family and most importantly, some Christmas cake from home! Unfortunately, this got eaten long before Christmas as it was quite heavy to carry and was also the most nutritional food that I had. Needs must! That's beside the fact that I couldn't resist it, it was the best thing I had tasted for a long time and a welcome change from chicken and rice and chicken and rice and...

I am still in a very arid world but have now left the heart of the Atacama desert. It is a formidable and beautiful place. I will write more about this part of my journey soon but in the mean time you should read Scott Napier's blog about this area, if you missed it.

I am now within a week of finishing my cycle from Denali (Mt McKinley) to Aconcagua, after over half a year on the bike. Christmas Day itself will be spent on the bike but then I plan to have a few days in preparation for climbing the highest mountain in the western hemisphere. If all goes well I will start my ascent on or soon after New Years Day, which will also be my 27th Birthday!

The support from everyone who has been following this blog and on , and has been fantastic and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mark

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