24hrs in the Highest City on Earth with No Laws (my scariest travel experience)

Yes Theory
21 Apr 202429:39

Summary

TLDRThe video script details a harrowing yet enlightening journey to La Rinconada, the highest human settlement on Earth located in the Peruvian Andes. The narrator, along with his team, braves the perilous conditions to document the lives of the 50,000 residents driven by the allure of gold mining. The settlement operates under a brutal labor system where miners work for 30 days without pay in hopes of striking it rich. The team grapples with the stark contrast between the breathtaking beauty of the icy peaks and the harsh realities of life at such high altitudes, including the environmental degradation caused by mercury use in gold extraction. The script paints a poignant picture of human resilience and the lengths people will go to for a chance at wealth, all while highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices and better living conditions.

Takeaways

  • 📍 La Rinconada, located in the Peruvian Andes, is the highest human settlement on Earth at 5,200 meters above sea level.
  • ⚓️ The harsh living conditions in La Rinconada attract around 50,000 people who hope to find gold and other precious minerals.
  • 💰 Miners work under a brutal system known as 'catoro,' where they mine for 30 days without pay for the chance to mine for themselves for one day, often leading to exploitation.
  • 🌍 The town's existence is a testament to human endurance and the lengths people will go to pursue wealth, despite the risks.
  • 🏔️ The area's extreme altitude leads to hypoxia, with less oxygen available in the air, causing significant health risks if not properly acclimatized.
  • 🚨 Safety is a major concern in La Rinconada, with the crew receiving numerous warnings about the dangers of the area, including crime and violence.
  • 🚿 Infrastructure is severely lacking, with only three hot showers for the entire population of 50,000, highlighting the town's unsustainability.
  • 🌿 The gold extraction process uses mercury, causing severe environmental damage and health issues for the miners and the community.
  • 📈 The town operates in a legal grey area with rampant illegal mining activity, contributing to the dangerous and volatile environment.
  • 🧘‍♂️ The experience of visiting La Rinconada serves as a stark reminder of the privileges many take for granted, such as access to basic amenities and safety.
  • 📹 Documenting the harsh realities of La Rinconada presents significant challenges, including navigating the social and environmental risks associated with the area.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the place described as the highest human settlement on Earth?

    -La Rinconada, located in the Peruvian Andes Mountains.

  • What is the altitude of La Rinconada?

    -La Rinconada is situated at 5,200 meters (17,700 feet) above sea level.

  • What is the main reason people come to La Rinconada?

    -People come to La Rinconada in hopes to find gold and other precious minerals.

  • What is the catoro system mentioned in the script?

    -The catoro system is a labor arrangement where miners work for 30 days without pay in exchange for a chance to mine for themselves for one day.

  • What are the health risks associated with living and working at high altitudes like La Rinconada?

    -The health risks include hypoxia, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and the potential for neurological and reproductive damage due to the use of mercury in gold extraction.

  • Why is the use of mercury in gold extraction a significant environmental concern?

    -Mercury use pollutes the land and water, rendering them undrinkable, and has severe health repercussions for miners and the community, including neurological and reproductive damage.

  • What is the estimated number of people living in La Rinconada?

    -There are between 20,000 to 30,000 temporary residents and a permanent population in the main town.

  • What challenges did the individuals face while filming in La Rinconada?

    -They faced challenges such as the dangerous environment, lack of infrastructure, language barriers, and the risk of being targeted or exploited.

  • What is the significance of the glacier in relation to gold mining in La Rinconada?

    -The glacier is significant because it is where the most amount of gold is believed to be, leading to aggressive mining practices that can compromise the structural integrity of the area.

  • What is the condition of the drinking water in La Rinconada due to mining activities?

    -The drinking water in La Rinconada is contaminated due to the use of mercury in the gold extraction process, making it unsafe for consumption.

  • What safety measures were suggested for navigating the town at night?

    -The safety measures included not carrying valuable items, being aware of one's surroundings, watching for people behind, and avoiding sketchy areas to minimize the risk of violence or theft.

  • What was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local economy and the decision to come to La Rinconada?

    -The pandemic led to job losses and a lack of tourism, which worsened the economic situation for many, influencing some to take the risky decision to come to La Rinconada for work.

Outlines

00:00

📍 Arrival in Rinconada: A Harsh Welcome

The first paragraph introduces the setting of Rinconada, the highest human settlement on Earth, located in the Peruvian Andes. It details the initial impressions of the place, characterized by lawlessness and danger, with fights breaking out and a general sense of unease. The narrator expresses concern for their safety while filming, highlighting the risks involved in documenting this extreme location. The harsh realities of life at such high altitudes are also mentioned, including the struggle for oxygen and the impact on mental functions. The economic draw of gold and precious minerals is contrasted with the brutal working conditions under the catoro system, where miners work for extended periods without pay, often leading to exploitation.

05:01

🏔️ The Journey to Rinconada: Challenges and Preparations

This paragraph follows the journey to Rinconada, emphasizing the lack of a solid plan and the reliance on local guidance. The travelers' experience of hypoxia at high altitudes is described, along with the measures taken to mitigate the risks, such as acquiring oxygen meters and tanks. The stark contrast between the breathtaking beauty of the Andes and the trash-strewn reality of the town is also highlighted. The paragraph underscores the environmental and human toll of illegal mining activities, with a focus on the use of mercury and its devastating effects on health and the environment.

10:03

👷‍♂️ Life and Work in Rinconada: A Miner's Perspective

The third paragraph offers insights into the lives of the miners in Rinconada. It discusses the temporary and permanent residents, the harsh working conditions, and the risks associated with mining. The narrator meets a miner who speaks English and shares his experiences, including the prevalence of danger and the health challenges of working at high altitudes. The miner's decision to work in Rinconada despite the risks is explored, revealing the economic desperation that drives people to such extreme environments. The paragraph also touches on the social dynamics of the town, including the presence of delinquents and outcasts.

15:03

🌃 Nightfall in Rinconada: A Dangerous Descent

As night approaches in Rinconada, the fourth paragraph describes the shift in atmosphere and the increased sense of danger. The narrator and his team opt to spend the evening with a local guide, Fidel, to gain a more authentic perspective of the town. They discuss the town's infrastructure, or lack thereof, including the limited access to hot showers for the town's 50,000 residents. The environmental impact of mercury use in gold extraction is further explored, with the local guide expressing concern for the land and the people's health. The paragraph ends with a sense of unease and the decision to retire early to avoid the town's notorious nightlife.

20:05

🛏️ Reflecting on Rinconada: A Night of Discomfort

The fifth paragraph reflects on the team's experience during their first night in Rinconada. The physical discomforts of high altitude are evident, with symptoms such as headaches, frequent urination, and an increased heart rate. The team's concern for their safety is palpable, with references to the town's dangerous reputation and the advice they received to be cautious, especially after dark. The paragraph also highlights the stark contrast between the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the harsh living conditions in the town, as well as the team's gratitude for the simple comforts of their own lives.

25:07

🌅 Departure from Rinconada: A Lasting Impression

The final paragraph describes the team's departure from Rinconada and their reflections on the experience. Despite the lack of sleep and physical discomfort, they take time to capture the morning activities and the scale of the town from a high vantage point. The narrator expresses a deep appreciation for the life they lead, free from the extreme struggles faced by the miners. There's a call for government intervention to improve the safety of the mines and living conditions. The team leaves Rinconada with a profound sense of gratitude and a reminder of the privileges many take for granted.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lonada

Lonada, also known as La Rinconada, is the highest human settlement on Earth, located in the Peruvian Andes Mountains. It is a place where people have come in search of gold and other precious minerals, despite the harsh living conditions and the risks associated with the mining practices. The settlement is depicted as a place of extreme contrast, where dreams of fortune clash with the harsh realities of life.

💡Hypoxia

Hypoxia refers to a condition where the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level. In the context of the video, the high altitude of La Rinconada, at over 5,200 meters above sea level, results in less available oxygen, causing hypoxia. This affects the individuals' ability to function normally, leading to symptoms like headaches, rapid heartbeat, and impaired mental function. The video mentions the use of oxygen meters and tanks to mitigate the effects of hypoxia.

💡Mercury

Mercury is a toxic element that is heavily used in the gold extraction process in La Rinconada. The video discusses the severe environmental repercussions of this practice, including the contamination of land and water sources, which has led to health issues for the miners and the wider community, such as neurological and reproductive damage.

💡Catoro System

The Catoro System is a labor system used in the mining industry in La Rinconada, where workers trade their labor for the chance to find gold. Miners work for 30 days without pay and are then given one day to mine for themselves, often leading to exploitation by mine owners. This system is highlighted in the video as a reflection of the extreme measures people are willing to take in pursuit of wealth.

💡Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the natural environment through pollution, destruction of ecosystems, or the depletion of resources. The video script describes the environmental impact of the mining activities in La Rinconada, including deforestation, pollution from mercury use, and the creation of a 'sea of trash,' illustrating the severe consequences of unsustainable practices on the landscape and the community's well-being.

💡Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), occurs when a person rapidly ascends to high altitudes where there is less oxygen. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, and dizziness. In the video, the individuals experience the effects of altitude sickness, with one mentioning feeling 'heavy-headed' and needing to monitor oxygen levels closely due to the high altitude of La Rinconada.

💡Mining

Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, usually from an ore body, vein, or coal seam. The video focuses on the harsh realities of mining in La Rinconada, where people risk their lives and health in the pursuit of gold. The mining activities are portrayed as both a source of hope for wealth and a symbol of environmental and social degradation.

💡Eco Tourism

Eco tourism refers to responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. The video's creators embark on a journey to explore and document extreme places like La Rinconada, which can be seen as a form of eco tourism. Their aim is to tell meaningful stories about the places they visit, raising awareness about the conditions and challenges faced by the communities there.

💡Social Inequality

Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. The video script touches on the social disparities present in La Rinconada, where the promise of gold attracts people from all over Peru, but the reality is one of exploitation, dangerous working conditions, and a lack of basic amenities, highlighting the stark social inequalities that exist.

💡Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is the illegal trade of people for the purposes of compelled labor or commercial sexual exploitation. The video mentions the dark reality of human trafficking in La Rinconada, particularly of women who are brought to the town for prostitution, illustrating the extent of the social issues and the vulnerability of the community.

💡Climatization

Climatization is the process of acclimatizing or adjusting to new climatic conditions, especially in high altitude or extreme environments. In the context of the video, the individuals discuss the need to adapt to the high altitude and low oxygen levels in La Rinconada, which is crucial for their survival and health during their stay.

Highlights

The group has reached La Rinconada, a perilous place with fights breaking out and an unwelcoming atmosphere.

La Rinconada is the highest human settlement on Earth, located in the Peruvian Andes Mountains at 5,200 meters above sea level.

50,000 people have come to La Rinconada seeking gold and precious minerals despite the harsh living conditions.

Miners work under the catoro system, where they mine for 30 days without pay for a chance to mine for themselves for one day.

The promise of gold continues to draw people to La Rinconada despite the risk of exploitation.

The team experiences the challenges of high altitude, with symptoms of hypoxia setting in.

Amar, having previous experience in extreme environments, is vigilant about recognizing signs of hypoxia.

The team secures a local driver who helps them navigate the town and provides insights into the local situation.

La Rinconada is described as a lawless town with a significant presence of delinquents and outcasts of society.

The harsh reality of the town's environmental impact is highlighted, with trash and pollution being a major issue.

The use of mercury in gold extraction is causing severe environmental damage and health risks for the miners.

The team is offered a local's perspective on life in La Rinconada, providing a more personal view of the struggles faced by residents.

The town's infrastructure is inadequate, with only three hot showers for 50,000 people.

The team reflects on the stark contrast between the beauty of the mountains and the harsh realities of life in La Rinconada.

Amar's health is a concern as his oxygen levels drop significantly, highlighting the risks of high-altitude exposure.

The team is given a stark warning about the dangers of nighttime in La Rinconada, including the threat of violence and human trafficking.

Despite the risks, the team forms a bond with a local miner, Fidel, who offers them a guided tour of the town.

The experience in La Rinconada serves as a humbling reminder of the privileges many take for granted in their daily lives.

Transcripts

00:02

hey T Boogie just wanted to give you a

00:03

quick update we made it to lenada and

00:06

it's by far the sketchiest place that

00:08

I've ever been

00:11

to fights breaking out

00:14

everywhere people giving us the looks as

00:16

we walked

00:17

around yeah it's I don't think I've ever

00:21

been as worried going to

00:22

filming I'll give you another update as

00:24

soon as we leave love you buddy

00:31

in our pursuit to explore the most

00:33

unique and extreme places on our planet

00:35

to tell meaningful stories about them

00:37

this one may be the riskiest of them all

00:40

welcome to L rinonada the highest human

00:43

settlement on Earth in the heart of the

00:46

Peruvian Andes Mountains here amidst the

00:48

icy peaks and Beneath The Frigid surface

00:51

lies a tale of contrast where the dreams

00:53

of Fortune clash with harsh realities of

00:56

Life at 177,000 FT 5,200 m above sea

01:00

level 50,000 people have come here in

01:03

the most unforgiving conditions in the

01:05

hopes to find gold and other Precious

01:07

Minerals in its Battle Frontier like

01:09

setting miners live and work under the

01:11

brutal catoro System trading labor for

01:14

the chance to find gold under this

01:16

system they mine for 30 days without

01:18

payment only to get a chance to mine for

01:20

themselves for one day and often get

01:23

exploited in the process by the mine

01:24

owners yet the promise of gold continues

01:27

to draw people from all corners of Peru

01:29

reflecting the human capacity to endure

01:31

hardship in the pursuit of wealth today

01:34

Omar takes us all the way to Lima Peru

01:36

to begin his expedition to ladin gonada

01:38

along with our cinematographer friend

01:40

Cory and let me tell you they had

01:42

absolutely no plan and no contact to

01:44

reach once they got

01:47

[Music]

01:50

there I watched a few videos that I had

01:52

downloaded on the town on the plane

01:55

pretty scary

01:56

[Music]

02:03

we go around the world and we come to

02:06

very interesting

02:09

places yeah

02:11

yeah he doesn't speak

02:14

English Okay Christian we have a

02:18

question okay can you drive up to

02:25

Ron see

02:27

yeah for my understanding at least

02:36

[Music]

02:38

is see see okay I think we just managed

02:41

to secure our

02:42

driver who's just the driver we met at

02:44

the airport give us a decent price and

02:47

just VI us the whole time we're off the

02:48

promising

02:49

[Music]

02:52

start every DM that I've sent to someone

02:55

that we're going to Rinko everybody's

02:56

like immediate response like wo be

02:58

careful yeah even even him when we were

03:00

walking in he was just like yeah it's

03:02

very dangerous there like that's the

03:04

part that is that is worrying me the

03:06

most is like our physical state waking

03:07

up after tomorrow taking in 50% less

03:10

oxygen for a whole night is very

03:12

different than jez

03:15

yeah we're doing a quick pit stop to

03:17

just get an oxygen meter and some oxygen

03:20

tanks just because from every everything

03:22

I've watched so far it looked pretty

03:25

rough and not even rough when you get

03:27

there it's like rough on the way up

03:28

there

03:30

so so yeah the higher they went up in

03:33

altitude on the drive the more Amar

03:34

started feeling the invisible challenge

03:36

of letting gonada creeping in hypoxia

03:39

but I feel like already just like very

03:41

um heavy-headed at altitudes exceeding

03:44

177,000 ft the air holds less oxygen and

03:48

each breath we take delivers fewer of

03:50

those vital molecules to our bodies the

03:52

brain the most oxygen hungry organ

03:54

suffers first mental functions slow

03:57

decisions become harder a clear warning

03:59

from our body that it is struggling to

04:01

sustain its basic functions prolonged

04:03

exposure without proper climatization

04:06

can lead to as the body scrambles to

04:07

adapt increasing heart rate blood

04:09

pressure and breathing to compensate for

04:11

the scarcity of oxygen This Is Not Mere

04:14

discomfort it's a survival response to

04:16

an extreme environment that if not

04:18

mitigated can be a fatal health risk

04:21

luckily due to his previous climbing and

04:23

skydiving experience Amar knows what to

04:25

look out for to identify if he's hypoxic

04:28

or not this strip was particularly

04:30

tricky because obviously we needed the

04:32

the guidance of some locals here in Peru

04:34

and I think I posted on Instagram like

04:36

two or three times but I think how

04:38

sketchy all the videos and articles

04:41

depicted this place just made me realize

04:43

that I like I want to take this risk

04:45

with the least amount of people we don't

04:47

know what we're getting ourselves into

04:48

and I didn't want to bring someone into

04:50

something where I I just couldn't

04:53

guarantee there safety last time it was

04:55

an altitude it was when I was climbing

04:58

Mount Whitney for my 27th birthday but

05:01

we're going two 2 and 1 half th000 ft

05:04

higher than the peak of Mount Whitney

05:06

which is just absolutely wild got a

05:08

driver no translator and our contact who

05:11

was who's one of the miners who was

05:13

going to be up there he basically just

05:15

didn't make it up from from Lima he was

05:17

supposed to to fly out but we we'll

05:19

going to find we'll find we'll find

05:21

we'll find someone new a new face

05:33

quick lunch break we're about an hour

05:34

and a half away from let

05:36

kada hello or

05:40

no safe to say that Christian is fully

05:43

immersed with the Vibes right now Bo

05:49

strip what do we got here that doesn't

05:51

sound good got 87 you're supposed to be

05:54

97 and above I don't think it's

05:56

affecting my vitals yet but that's not

05:58

how how hxy

06:01

Christi let's see wow 92

06:03

92 hey hey hey hey no me crazy Christian

06:08

is this your first time in in ronada no

06:12

see no oh you you

06:15

went that's that's good

06:21

[Music]

06:31

[Music]

06:34

the Drone already says high altitude fly

06:36

with caution for even took off it said

06:38

[Music]

06:47

that well I think I can safely say that

06:49

this is the first time I haven't felt

06:51

any jealousy for missing out on a trip

06:53

before you see when we travel and end up

06:55

in the middle of nowhere which tends to

06:58

happen a lot we really need our phones

07:01

to navigate to translate and to message

07:03

our producer Melly for help and for that

07:05

we obviously can't rely on the free Wii

07:07

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07:10

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07:11

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08:23

doing you know okay now back to Peru

08:35

the last town

08:36

before feeling it are you I'm feel yeah

08:39

I'm feeling so nauseous right

08:43

now makes two lie headed for a second

08:46

chrisan driver just told us that we're

08:48

about to get a first look at the glacier

08:52

[Music]

08:56

wow as they were initially struck by the

08:59

beauty of the mountains the harsh

09:01

reality of the surroundings quickly cut

09:03

the amazement

09:03

[Music]

09:23

short this just has to be one of the

09:25

saddest arrivals I've ever had in into a

09:28

place like from just just gorgeous views

09:31

on the way up and then just this sea of

09:34

trash everywhere I mean that's what

09:36

happens when 50,000 people settle

09:38

somewhere they're not supposed to

09:39

without the infrastructure necessary for

09:41

them to be able to live there and with

09:43

just illegal mining activity

09:45

everywhere

09:47

dude this breaks my heart

09:51

oh oh the first minor that we saw

09:54

actually looking for gold was this woman

09:56

on the side of the road and I think

09:58

women are not allowed into the mines so

10:01

some women here just take up the job to

10:03

pick up the scraps of the miners and

10:05

look for any gold that they might have

10:07

missed in

10:08

[Music]

10:28

it

10:39

for hours

10:46

wow

10:50

wow nothing nothing big

10:55

wow I see I saw a gold little gold bit

10:59

yeah

11:00

oh yeah yeah yeah and how much would

11:03

this beow

11:18

[Music]

11:26

[Music]

11:56

thank yeah first impression for me that

11:59

it's way bigger than I thought I mean I

12:02

knew that close to 50,000 people live

12:03

here but I guess I didn't like picture

12:06

what that would look like on the side of

12:08

a mountain okay there's Parts where

12:11

people are temporary residents of the

12:14

town so they they just come for like

12:16

mining days or mining months and then

12:18

they leave but they say it's between 20

12:19

to 30,000 people and then then there's

12:22

the main town which is more permanen is

12:25

buildings and then there's these

12:28

like 10

12:30

houses so

12:41

[Music]

12:48

yeah lingon is essentially as close to a

12:52

lawless town as it gets and they quickly

12:54

realized that filming here was going to

12:57

be a challenge

13:00

Amar then spotted some friendly looking

13:02

miners from a distance and to his great

13:03

surprise one of them spoke

13:07

English dangerous yeah dangerous

13:10

dangerous the attitude to here is uh

13:14

5,200 M of L how is how is your oxygen

13:19

level wait wa I'm going to go get the

13:20

oxygen meter one second yeah okay thank

13:22

you Moment of

13:24

Truth yeah I just loved his Vibe I went

13:26

up I went up to him he was like hi nice

13:28

to meet you speaks speaks English wow

13:31

pretty good 9 93 93 76 76 yeah wow

13:37

except my and my heartbeat is 111 we

13:39

arrive here in the first day so

13:42

difficult L oxygen and then wow no in 3

13:46

4 days you just your body gets used to

13:48

it how old are you I'm H 27 years old 27

13:53

yes you knew that coming up here is

13:55

dangerous it's bad for health all these

13:57

things right yes why did you still make

14:00

the decision to come here in Cusco the

14:03

protest about the president affected no

14:06

and then no tourist nothing absolutely

14:09

in Cusco for us too no job then I so

14:13

after pandemic it just became really bad

14:15

yeah bad I here yes yes I like yes a

14:22

little dangerous man respect respect

14:24

here it's more uh yeah yeah delinquents

14:27

yeah yeah basically it's like the

14:30

outcast of society I think they just end

14:32

up gravitating towards a place like this

14:35

where you know you end up with some

14:36

pretty rough personalities thankfully

14:38

these they are not some of those rough

14:40

personalities we like just by walking

14:42

earlier we we could we could just feel

14:44

like it wasn't it wasn't the best Vibe

14:46

could we what is plan for tonight no no

14:49

plan no

14:50

plan no plan if you can be our our local

14:54

t tour guide and we'll be happy to pay

14:55

you it would be amazing to just like see

14:57

it through your eyes so that we're not

14:59

just like walking with a camera you know

15:01

we want to be with locals and and your

15:03

smile is just amazing So yeah thank you

15:05

of course could we like go for a walk

15:07

you tell us okay this is where they do

15:08

this where uh around this place yeah

15:11

around here yeah of course but we are

15:13

going to go tonight to the Disco yeah

15:15

yeah great ma'am yeah okay let's go

15:19

we'll see you tonight

15:23

[Music]

15:37

welcome to

15:40

R

15:43

wow and how much would a piece like

15:49

this and would this be like one day one

15:52

day's work for you or uh one week or

15:55

maybe in one day or in one hour or and

15:59

half an hour is the pen what's your

16:01

luckiest day best day 15 G 15 or 50 uh

16:05

50 50 W 50 g depend is depend mineral no

16:10

sometimes a d or sometimes no gold to No

16:15

it's it's heavier than it

16:20

looks very expensive very expensive

16:24

which is go thank you so much appreciate

16:25

it

16:29

[Music]

16:35

like everyone that works here how much

16:38

gold do you think every day maybe 1

16:41

kogam 1 kilo or 2 kilog less than 10 kg

16:46

yes TR is like uh yours guys you know

16:48

the people wow it's not usual right it's

16:51

very

16:52

rare pringo you know

16:56

[Music]

17:03

what were you saying about the show on

17:05

uh just here are there three showers hot

17:08

showers in the whole in the entire town

17:10

yes for 50,000 people yes three hot

17:13

showers yes for example in this street

17:16

and other Street just a street shower no

17:19

more showers

17:26

wowo hello hello this is a machine no a

17:31

big

17:32

Stone grind it gr I see I see I see

17:36

which water and the and Mercury Mercury

17:39

okay and Mercury is it is this why

17:41

people have um a drinking water problem

17:43

here Mercury is mixed with the lake pel

17:47

explains to us here that linon is

17:49

essentially a ticking time bomb as the

17:51

very industry that sustains it is also

17:54

its greatest threat there is heavy use

17:56

of mercury in their gold extraction

17:58

process which has severe environmental

18:00

repercussions polluting the land and

18:02

water with consequences that reach far

18:04

beyond the town's borders it is also

18:07

highly toxic and leads to serious health

18:09

issues for the miners and The Wider

18:11

Community including neurological and

18:13

reproductive damage now all the lakes

18:15

and water streams around have been

18:17

contaminated and become completely

18:19

undrinkable the name is aita aita aita

18:23

it is similar like a woman the woman is

18:26

sleeping H like the face and yes maybe

18:30

you see no mother

18:32

earth many years ago the glacier

18:36

and all in this place now for pollution

18:39

years two years less Glacier less

18:41

Glacier less Glacier for the pollution

18:44

because the people destroyed the the

18:47

Mother Earth yeah no how and how how do

18:50

you feel about that being here and and

18:52

working in mining but you also you you

18:54

care about Mother Earth and you and you

18:56

don't like the fact that you have uh

18:59

I recommended my friend please don't

19:01

leave trash or don't contaminate no

19:06

nothing yes we're going to put in the

19:09

bresh no not leave because other people

19:12

don't respect no yeah drinking that the

19:14

plastic every

19:16

B this is a problem no for me it's not

19:19

good

19:27

yeah IM Magic

19:32

oh first of all I can I can already see

19:34

it on my face I'm getting so puffy I

19:36

just did the reading and it was

19:38

66% so now we're in danger zone yeah

19:40

that's not healthy huh no I'm worried

19:43

I'm worried about myself too amar's

19:45

oxygen levels were dropping to an

19:47

alarming low they had to keep a very

19:49

close look on him to make sure no

19:51

serious symptoms would arise and be

19:53

ready to descend quickly if needed so he

19:56

he's been here for 8 years what was your

19:58

first memory arriving

20:01

here accident at the mountain the rock

20:04

the first thing he remembers here is

20:06

just an accident that Happ yes how how

20:08

often do you see people die here almost

20:11

every day or almost almost every day

20:14

people die almost every

20:15

day Lina and here in the disc to

20:19

dangerous because that coming know and

20:22

then wow it's it's good here wow and

20:26

when was the last time he saw someone

20:28

die

20:31

in other

20:38

streets wow okay so we have to be

20:41

careful once the sun goes down this

20:43

camera goes down with it no don't worry

20:47

because yes me help you with everything

20:49

yeah my brother brother for examp the

20:53

GU you're a magnet to the good people

20:56

you attract good people yes yes

20:59

thank you man thank you

21:04

[Music]

21:17

apprciate all our groceries AKA dinner

21:19

for

21:25

tonight we got a window

21:30

TV Cory went outside to film the town at

21:33

night but came back quickly after a

21:35

sketchy interaction a guy came and like

21:37

tried to focus my lens and typically

21:39

it's like playful I'm like yeah sure

21:41

this is how you focus and then he was

21:42

like how much and I was like I'm not not

21:45

going to say like I don't know you know

21:46

I don't know and he's like okay snag my

21:49

water bottle just starts running and I'm

21:52

like but it was only water so I was like

21:55

it's okay but that was that set the tone

21:58

for for me right after that I was like

22:00

okay I don't want to carry my camera

22:02

around anymore I don't want to do this

22:03

like this is too crazy for

22:10

me I'm pretty grateful man we just like

22:13

came with nothing and made friends

22:15

immediately we were given the clearest

22:18

instructions not to leave with anything

22:20

valuable from this hotel for telling us

22:22

pry had quite the footprint when we came

22:24

we're more liberal with our camera like

22:26

shooting and drone flying than than

22:28

other people's have been here so our

22:30

driver Christian was just U concerned

22:32

that someone would have like marked us

22:33

as a as a Target so he actually gave us

22:35

pretty sound like security instructions

22:37

and what to do how to get out always be

22:40

watching for people um behind you but

22:41

he's saying within half an hour like

22:43

this outside is just like going to

22:45

completely change and it's just going to

22:46

be just drunk people who could stab you

22:49

any moment so if we go out for like a

22:52

quick hang out with no cameras just like

22:54

with Fidel and his other friends to see

22:56

what NTI is here it is a pretty dark

22:59

reality with the amount of people who

23:01

are human trafficked particularly women

23:03

it's it's uh it's estimated that around

23:06

2500 women come up here from neighboring

23:08

towns for prostitution yeah we're going

23:10

to try and like be with the Good Vibes

23:12

avoid anything that looks sketchy but

23:15

ultimately call it early tonight and

23:17

just be back

23:18

here ready for a night out in the most

23:21

dangerous town in the world

23:40

[Music]

23:46

see this is one of the sketchiest places

23:48

that I've been you feel like the eyes

23:51

and everything you like I don't belong

23:53

here and I should and I should not be

23:55

here right now

24:02

[Music]

24:03

wow too wild it's too wild

24:09

yeah wrapping up the night with Fidel

24:12

he's got work tomorrow super early at

24:14

another mine thank you brother

24:16

appreciate it man thank you I appreciate

24:18

you no goodbye see you

24:21

later

24:24

[Music]

24:26

by it's so cool I can't sleep I'm at 70%

24:30

blood oxygen level which is an

24:33

improvement from

24:34

66% just went out just saw got to

24:37

experience a very different life than

24:40

anything that we've ever seen before

24:42

yeah there's always like an element of

24:43

just deep gratitude for the life that

24:47

we've been blessed with to just have a

24:48

hot shower and to be able to have a

24:50

proper roof on your head the the floor

24:53

here is like unbearable to walk on and

24:55

it's these little things that you start

24:57

to take for granted there's so many

24:59

people go to the craziest extents to be

25:01

able to make ends

25:03

meat just some thoughts with my funny uh

25:06

going to that outfit because it's

25:09

cold long johs some heat socks and we

25:14

see for sunrise for some pretty epic

25:17

drone Shots by the one and only Cory

25:19

Martin

25:22

[Music]

25:40

good morning it's 5:30 not much sleep in

25:45

fact no sleep at all I think I had like

25:47

45 minutes I have one of the strongest

25:49

headaches I've ever had feel dry

25:51

everywhere I counted I peed I peed eight

25:54

times in 9 hours which is just a lot I

25:57

wasn't even drinking that much water

25:58

which I should have um see how Cory's

26:01

doing I have a massive headache right

26:03

now yeah I swear going to the bathroom

26:07

felt like my heart rate when I by the

26:08

time I got back to bed I was just being

26:10

it felt like I just ran a mile yeah and

26:12

that's when I got like a little scared I

26:14

was like is this is this okay should we

26:16

get a quick check not beeping

26:19

yet well this is better than the night

26:21

the night I was beeping between 65 and

26:23

70 now it's 75

26:27

[Music]

26:34

came out to just capture some of what's

26:36

happening in the morning and we're still

26:38

getting those very long stairs people

26:41

confused in what we're doing here with

26:42

the with the red in the camera like

26:45

[Music]

26:50

that I was reflecting on like how I'm

26:53

feeling and and and just this this very

26:56

intense experience that we went through

26:57

and it's like torn between like just

27:00

such extremes like waking up at the

27:02

bottom of a glacier seeing the most

27:03

beautiful view but being up during the

27:05

night and hearing what was going on in

27:07

the town and hearing gunshots and

27:08

hearing people scream and hear hearing

27:10

people drunk breaking bottles it's it's

27:13

this weird Paradox between like being in

27:15

one of the most beautiful places that

27:17

you can be on our planet but also seeing

27:20

the worst of what human beings can do to

27:22

our planet

27:37

think this is like what the third fight

27:39

that breaks in the last half an hour a

27:41

lot of hostility yeah maybe that's our

27:44

sign get get out of here you met the

27:47

nicest guy in the town now get the

27:51

[Music]

27:56

out oh wow

27:59

I think this is the best like vantage

28:00

point to actually grasp how 50,000

28:03

people live in the highest city in the

28:05

world you could managed to fly the RO 5

28:07

km to just show the scale of what's

28:10

happening out there apparently where the

28:12

glacier is is where the most amount of

28:13

gold is so they are very keen to get

28:16

through it it's really dangerous because

28:18

there's tunnels that are inside of the

28:20

mountain underneath the glacier nobody

28:22

caring about the structural Integrity of

28:24

of anything so it's it almost feels like

28:26

a ticking time bomb that the min has

28:28

been operating since the' 70s and

28:30

hundreds of thousands of people have

28:31

come through to do this and and it's

28:33

just layers upon layers upon layers no

28:35

proper inspection I pray that people

28:38

stay safe and that the government does

28:40

something about it before it becomes

28:42

this catastrophic you know news headline

28:44

of thousands of miners just dying

28:46

because one of the shafts collapsed or

28:49

something like that my intention as we

28:51

leave this is just like be reminded like

28:53

you know we're talking about how

28:54

exciting it's going to be to take a hot

28:55

shower when we get there to be able to

28:57

like eat for the toilet you know like

29:00

all these little things that we kind of

29:02

dismiss in our daily life and we don't

29:03

really think deeply about I think trips

29:06

like this and being in places like this

29:08

really gets you to like recognize the

29:10

blessing that it is to be living a life

29:12

where you don't need to to do that you

29:14

don't need to leave everyone and

29:16

everything you know to come to the most

29:18

dangerous circumstances to be able to

29:20

make a Liv thank you everyone for

29:22

joining and thank you Cory for was being

29:25

the wizard behind the camera behind the

29:26

Drone and and we'll see you next week we

29:28

haven't said that in a very long time

29:29

but we'll see you next week

29:32

[Music]

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Verwandte Tags
La RinconadaGold MiningExtreme LivingPeruvian AndesEnvironmental ImpactMercury PollutionAltitude SicknessCommunity LifeAdventure TravelCultural ExplorationHuman Resilience
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