Horse rider crossing a river in the high Andes
In the Andes in late spring and early summer the rivers are full of snow melt and running high. The riverbed is full of stones and boulders smoothed by glaciers melting through the ages and the horses have to tread with great care. The arrieros select the crossing places carefully, with the inherited wisdom and personal experience from working up here with cattle and horses all their lives.
Our guide rides close to ensure safety of visitor crossing a turbulent river
The horses are very footsure, and the only hint of danger is when an arriero carefully places his horse downstream of the visitor crossing the river. This is in case of a stumble or fall, when he will be there to prevent any problem, or catch someone should it become necessary. In several of our photos the guide can be seen either placed like that or carefully watching the visitor’s horse as it crosses with him
The guide is watching carefully as we cross a river running high in early summer