Chile to Argentina Border crossings July 2012, am I mad??!!?
 

For one reason and another I've been held up in Santiago longer than anticipated. It means I will have to do a border crossing in July. My experience has always been in fair weather so the prospect of crossing 3000+ metres in -10 temperatures solo with ice is a bit daunting to say the least. The Los Libertadores has been closed on and off for the last 2 weeks (open for 1 day today but still no number plates, so can't leave). Each window of opportunity I have been unable to cross so beginning to think I will head North for another crossing where I heard the chances of an open border are better.

Paso Jama S.P. de Atacama - S.S. de Jujuy
Paso Sico Antofagasta - Salta
Paso Socompa Antofagasta - Salta
Paso San Francisco Copiacó - S.F.V. de Catamarca
Paso Pircas Negras Copiacó - La Rioja


Any advice out there on which border would be the best to head for at this time of year - ease, safety, road quality, distance between towns, frequency of fuel stops. Or should I just hole up in Santiago until Libertadores is good to go. Never imagined I would be attempting this in full winter!

Mucho Gracias Amigos

Los Liberatadores is the easiest crossing. Unless you have very specific and up to date information leading you to believe that one of the other passes will be preferable (doubtful, but anything is possible), stay where you are and prepare to be chilly during a couple of hours riding. Choose your weather window and go for it.

I've been over Paso de Jama, Paso de San Francisco and Los Liberatadores. The first is far higher, far more remote, far longer, far less used, and several days north of you anyway. The second is....yes indeed, far higher, even more remote, even less used. It's also largely ripio. Neither of these have any fuel stops at all, although the Argentine border station on Paso San Francisco sells fuel in small quantities.

The others you mention are, AFAIK, more adventurous, even during the warm season. If you're nervous about Los Liberatadores, there's no reason to even consider them.

I will gladly bow out in favor of any contradictory information.

Mark

Mark

Thanks for the input, I think what you say makes sense. Just getting a bit of cabin fever sitting around waiting. Was supposed to pick up my plates etc today but the dealership has been dragging its feet and only admitted to sending off the docs today, nearly 2 weeks after purchase! Ironically the pass opened today for only the 2nd time in about 2 weeks but think it will close tomorrow as snow is on its way. Will just have to sit it out and see what happens.

Many Thanks

David

I know someone who crossed from Chile to Argentina via the Jama Pass without problem about a week ago. A long cold days riding. It was closed for a day or so for snow about two weeks ago. I'm in San Pedro de Atacama and will be doing the Jama Pass in a few days.

Chile to Argentina
 

Jama Pass is better than the others, its very high altitude and COLD , but always have less snow and ice than the others cross borders. Look to GENDARMERIA NACIONAL ARGENTINA web page, it has good information.