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the Degree Confluence Project
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El Salvador

5.2 km (3.2 miles) NW of San Luis del Carmen, Chalatenango, El Salvador
Approx. altitude: 338 m (1108 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 14°S 91°E

Accuracy: 10 m (32 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: Southward view from the Confluence #3: East View from the Confluence #4: NE View from the Confluence (there were dragonflies everywhere) #5: The Evidence - GPS Receiver #6: The Crew

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  14°N 89°W  

#1: SW View of the Cerrón Grande Reservoir and the Guazapa Volcano

(visited by Burt Glassman, Julio Avila, Roberto Avila, Roberto Currlin, Jorge Guirola, Polo Murillo and Jaime Ruiz)

20-Oct-2001 -- Spanish

I first heard about the Project about a year ago but was disappointed to learn that most of the confluences near my home on the East coast had been visited or attempted. A move to El Salvador this summer followed by some conversation with friends at a local bar greatly improved my chances of a confluence visit.

Like the A-Team, we put together a plan to visit the confluence using all the resources we could muster. Roberto C. was able to acquire some extremely detailed maps of the area that let us know that the trip was even possible. The rest of the group figured out who had a GPS and whose 4x4 could get us closest to the confluence without breaking an axle.

A week later we set out from downtown San Salvador and took main roads to Chalatenango, the largest city closest to the confluence. Just outside of town we parked one of the trucks so Polo and Jorge could switch to motorcycles.

Our plan was to use the motorbikes to scout out which paths the 4x4 could navigate while getting us as close to the confluence as possible. We got back on the road and, surprisingly, were able to get within about 400 meters of the confluence using a dirt road we picked up near Chalatenango.

Unfortunately, there was no easy way to climb the area so we backtracked to a break in the fence Jaime had seen earlier with the hope that it could get us to a more scalable approach. With the help and scouting of our motorcycle crew, Julio was able to maneuver the 4x4 within 300 meters of the confluence.

We all switched to foot and hiked the rest of the way through some hills and mixed farmland. Roberto A. used his GPS to get us within just a few feet of the confluence with no problems.

Overall it was a fairly easy approach. We were rewarded with an incredible view of the Cerrón Grande Reservoir and the Guazapa Volcano.

– BG

Spanish

La primera vez que escuché algo acerca de este proyecto fué hace un año, pero me desilusioné cuando me di cuenta que la mayoría de las confluencias cerca de mi casa en la Costa Este de los Estados Unidos ya habian sido visitadas. Este verano me vine a vivir a El Salvador, y despues de una conversación con unos amigos en un bar del vecindario, llegamos a la conclusión que podriamos visitar una confluencia en este pais.

Así como el A-Team, mis amigos y yo desarrollamos un plan usando todos los recursos a nuestro alcanze. Roberto C. nos consiguó mapas detallados del area, y al revisarlos pudimos confirmar que el viaje sí era posible. Los demás en el grupo buscaron un GPS y un 4 x 4 que nos podría llevar a la zona de la confluencia sin que se nos fuera una llanta.

En una semana estabamos listos. Salimos de San Salvador y agarramos las calles principales hacia Chalatenango, la ciudad más grande cerca de la confluencia. En las afueras de la ciudad parqueamos uno de los 4 x 4 en que ibamos para que Polo y Jorge se pudieran subir a sus motos. Pensamos que las motos podrían ir adelante para explorar los caminos en los cuales podría navegar el 4 x 4 y así llegar lo más cerca posible a la confluencia. Agarrando una calle cerca de la autopista nos sorprendimos al ver que podiamos llegar a 400 metros de la confluencia. Sin embargo, no se miraba posible escalar la zona. Retrociendo hasta una finca adonde Jaime había espiado una cerca abierta, nos metimos y con la ayuda de los motociclistas, pudimos manejar el 4 x 4 a un punto que quedaba a 300 metros de la confluencia.

Nos bajamos del vehiculo y nos fuimos caminando por un terreno. Roberto A. usó su GPS para ayudarnos a llegar a un metro de la confluencia.

Al fin y al cabo el acceso fué bastante fácil, y la vista del Cerrón Grande y del volcán de Guazapa era increíble.

~BG


 All pictures
#1: SW View of the Cerrón Grande Reservoir and the Guazapa Volcano
#2: Southward view from the Confluence
#3: East View from the Confluence
#4: NE View from the Confluence (there were dragonflies everywhere)
#5: The Evidence - GPS Receiver
#6: The Crew
ALL: All pictures on one page