road to coroico Photo

Photographer’s Note

this is the famous road from La Paz to Coroico in Yungas, North of La Paz. The roads drops 3000m from La Cumbre Pass to Coroico in 2hours drive.
The road is known to be the most fatal in the world. The number of casualties per km is the highest in the world. On everage an accident happened every two weeks. All victims are of those whose vehicles fell off the edge of the road down the slope. The number of crosses , marking victims, along the road is astonishing.
The road is so narrow that when two cars has to pass each other, the one going down has to use the left part of the road (although Bolivia is a right hand drive country) as the driver having wound down his window is able to see where the edge of ledge is.
All what I described above is how it used to be when I was there in 1997. In 2000 the rules how to use the road were changed. Between 5pm and 5 am all the traffic moves up (towards La Paz) the other hours the traffic goes in opposite direction. Number of accidents decreased substiantially, but on La Cumbre Pass drivers still sprinkle tyres of their trucks with alcohol for good luck before setting of downhill .

mimi, Signal-Womb, gatopardo, alejandroguzman, rildin, markogts has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nygus (8077) 2004-09-04 15:01

^very decent; i like the carelessness in shooting this one

Signal-Womb (11677) 2004-09-04 15:18

Dear me this is seriously dangerous even so id love to drive up it as long as there was no buses to pass on the inside. Theres a real sense of danger with this shot and thats why I like it.

krzbia (329) 2004-09-04 15:56

yes there is danger seen in the photograph. The bus / truck in the front trying to drive as close to the left as possible. The fog also adds to this unwelcome climate.
Good work!

Ebbe (9571) 2004-09-04 16:10

Good journalisitc shot. Both the height and the warm moist climate is strongly felt in your picture.

Rangel (54) 2004-09-04 19:56

Excellent comments. Transmits the road's atmosphere of fear till 1997.
The fog in the picture fills any wonders about how the accidents happened there.

gatopardo (16) 2004-09-04 20:22

Though technically not quite a good shot it is quite curious and appealing for the sense of danger and the Indiana Jones type ambiance here created.
I hate mountain roads. They always make me feel that an error, whatever it is, can be the last and the end of all. This road must be the hell. I just feel sick...
Guilherme

laurent2929 (28) 2004-09-06 8:16

It's true that photo reveals the danger . It's the worst here with the clouds.
A new road has opened last year. So this road is just in one sense now.
I look for photos, videos of this road.
So, if you have, please contact me...

alejandroguzman (4672) 2005-10-15 0:38

Hi Rafal:

how was ur trip around Los Yungas !!!???...

I guess AMAZING, doesnt it ???? ;)

Great shot and also ur note.

hugs
alejandro

leprecoon (1) 2007-01-02 10:41

Wow, I'll walk thanks!