This was much more than just a quest for paddle-able lakes. Our motivation was to not only to seek out water—high Andean rivers, streams, big salt lakes and man-made reservoirs—but to discover how man has managed to survive here for one hundred centuries. — J.B.

Sea Kayaking Argentina, Bolivia & Chile; A Film by Jon Bowermaster

We went to South America's Altiplano, the mountainous desert region crossing the borders of Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, looking for water in the driest place on earth. During six weeks we pulled kayaks—either Quixotic or foolhardy—from sea level to 20,000 feet and ultimately found more than just signs of water.

The second half of our exploration took us from Argentina's shimmering but shallow Lago Vilama to Potosi, Bolivia, once home to the largest silver mine in the world. We crossed the 20 mile by 40 mile Salar de Uyuni, visiting with salt workers toiling on its vast, white surface. And finally to the blood-red Lago Colorado before climbing up the 20,000 foot Volcan Licancabur, on the Chile/Bolivia border, for a sweeping look across the high plains.

This was much more than just a quest for paddle-able lakes. Our motivation was to not only to seek out water—high Andean rivers, streams, big salt lakes and man-made reservoirs—but to discover how man has managed to survive here for one hundred centuries.