from 2008 that details the grueling experience of crossing this desert stretch. Outside Magazine 2. The Atacama / Puna de Atacama (Argentina/Chile)
My heart lurched. I almost ran. But Don Celestino’s words slammed into my chest: Do not answer. Because it wasn’t her. It was the echo of her, the piece the path had stolen. If I answered, I’d be acknowledging it as real. And once you do that, the Ruta owns you.
There is no cell service and very few rescue access points.
I walked faster.
And if you rested, you never left. Not wholly. Your body might continue down the mountain, but your ánima —your deep self—stayed behind, shackled to a stake on the Ruta, moaning in the wind forever.
In Mexico, the name takes a more literal turn with the "Espinazo del Diablo" (The Devil’s Backbone). Located on Federal Highway 40, connecting Durango to Mazatlán, this stretch of road was long considered the most dangerous in the country.
While a new bridge-heavy highway has bypassed much of the original "Backbone," the old route remains a pilgrimage site for motorcyclists and thrill-seekers who crave the adrenaline of its endless curves. The Folklore and Spirit of the Route La Ruta del Diablo
The unique geography of the canyon acts as a wind tunnel. When the wind blows from the east, it generates (low-frequency sound waves). Studies have shown that infrasound causes a feeling of dread, anxiety, and the sensation of "being watched." Drivers on La Ruta del Diablo aren't seeing ghosts; they are having a biological panic response induced by the wind.
At elevations exceeding 4,000 meters, oxygen is scarce and the wind is a constant, howling companion. Travelers are rewarded with sights that seem plucked from a surrealist painting:
“The path took her,” he said, grinding coca leaves in a stone bowl. “Not all of her. Just the piece that lets her dream of light.” from 2008 that details the grueling experience of
Giant Saguaro cacti, ancient Creosote bushes, and Ocotillo.
Extreme temperatures that swing from scorching midday sun to sub-zero nights.