J.D.Myers 1974 Vultor gryphes 02 7 August (cont'd) 130 km S. of Salta by road, Ricia de Salta, Tucutina the nearby mountains, enveloping them in fog. The condors are low today, beneath the cloud cover. I climbed about 800' above the road at the Garganta del Diablo, a curious geologic formation in the E cliffs along the river. 4 condors had been circling well below the highest part of the cliff face. They continued to circle, landing occasionally in holes in the cliff or on ledge as I climbed. Several of these landing spots appear to be regularly used perches: the rock face beneath is well lined with guano. We've seen other such white markings further to the north along the valley, and in seven there were condors. As far as I could make out, there were 2 juveniles and 2 q condors at Garganta del Diablo. Once I reached about 800' above the valley floor, they began to investigate me, soaring low overhead, sometimes within 30 m. As they passed me, I could see their necks twist so as to keep me in view. Staring in one hour they came to look, in between soaring to the S along the cliff. Finally, 3 of them glided over the W side of the valley, leaving an adult 2 perched several hundred feet above me. I descended.