Crossing Paso San Francisco in May (Chile to Argentina)

[FatMeercat]

Hi everyone!

I'm currently in La Serena in Chile and thinking of riding my Euromot / Suzuki DR200 across Paso San Francisco in the next week or so into Argentina.

A couple of questions from this forum newbie!

1) Does anyone know what the actual road conditions will be like at this time of year? I've checked out the Chilean Ministerio de Obras Publicas for conditions of the crossing (Ministerio de Obras Públicas) and it indicates there is no snow and is transitable...

2) Anyone thinking of heading that way and want to ride together?

3) The Paso is high - at 4700m... does anyone have any very kind advice for me on any modifications I should/could do to improve performance at such high altitudes and extremes?

It's my first bike but hopefully that won't scare anyone off!

cheers from here...

susan

[markharf]

It's a gorgeous route, but I'm not really sure what sort of advice you're asking for. Do you know about changing carb jets for altitude? If you're going to do this, make sure you switch them back before descending or you'll do engine damage. I rode that pass (and others) with stock jetting without serious issues, although I was on a bigger bike (650) with more reserve power. People also talk about opening the airbox for better air flow at altitude; I didn't do this either (too lazy, too simpleminded), but it makes sense. It gets dusty, so make sure you've still got good filtration if you start messing with your airbox.

The only other bike issue is fuel: as best I remember it's almost 300 miles/500 km between fuel stops. The Argentine border post had gas for sale, presumably pilfered from official supplies. Don't hesitate to take advantage if there's any chance you might run short; it's a desolate place to get stuck.

Allow enough time, and try not to be up on the altiplano after dark. At altitude it'll probably be waaaaaayyyyy below zero (C) at night, and there are vicuñas wandering around and other road hazards. Basically, though, there's nothing wrong with the road surface--it's easier than Ruta 40 ripio, with just a few sections of accumulated loose sand or gravel.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[realmc26]

Hi Susan,
No useful info from me unfortunately as I am still in the planning stages.
Was wondering how the Euromot was going for you?
Please keep us posted on your travels and how the bike is doing.

Im tossing up between a Honda or Suzuki 125 or the Euromot.

Happy and safe travels!

cheers,

Jimmy

[FatMeercat]

HI Mark,

Your advice is spot on - thanks for the info on the roads as well, and about the petrol.. I'll be carrying extra Ls but good to know the border crossing may have some.

I'm not planning on changing the carb jets, but seeing how the bike may perform will see about air. I'm planning to break the route up as I also want to do a bit of hiking around Laguna Verde if I'm not freezing, so have a bit of time.

I've also heard people say how beautiful the pass is, so hoefully it will be a good journey for me as well!

THanks
Susan

[FatMeercat]

Hi Jimmy,
I will definitely try and keep you updated on the bike! What I can suggest is the guy I bought the bike from will soon be doing a trip update on his years worth of travel on the bike and posting it to HUBB - when I see it i'll ping you the post.

Good luck!
Susan

[deeve007]

I'd love a ping on that thread too if you don't mind?

I'm heading to Chile from Buenos Aires in July to purchase probably a 125cc Honda, and am wondering if I should attempt that pass back, but it may be too late into winter, and not sure about the power of the bike (or lack thereof) at that altitude.

[realmc26]

Originally Posted by FatMeercat

Hi Jimmy,
I will definitely try and keep you updated on the bike! What I can suggest is the guy I bought the bike from will soon be doing a trip update on his years worth of travel on the bike and posting it to HUBB - when I see it i'll ping you the post.

Good luck!
Susan

Great! Thanks

[tenebra]

Originally Posted by FatMeercat

What I can suggest is the guy I bought the bike from will soon be doing a trip update on his years worth of travel on the bike and posting it to HUBB

That would be me. Click on my username to see my previous posts.

[mekongfrank]

Hi Susan,

I might be a bit late but for what it's worth:

When I crossed the San Francisco Pass on may 3rd I did not have any problems, neither with the route nor with the bike (R1200GSA). No really steep sections, good ripio (gravel) from Copiapo to the border post, then a good 100km a bit worse. The Chileans are rebuilding the road. On the Argentine side beautiful new pavement. No petrol station between Copiapo and Fiambala and the latter was out of gas. Next town had petrol (470 + 45 km!) I made it with 3 litres (out of 33) to spare. If you're lucky, they sell fuel at the Arg. border post 20km after the pass. They have two barrels in a shack, price is 6 Pesos per litre as opposed to the usual 4.7 Pesos.
Fiambala is a small and dusty place. Try Hostal San Jorge, one block from the plaza, 50 P single room.

While I'm talking about San Francisco Pass: I crossed Agua Negra Pass further south around April 20, more ripio and steeper, 220km between petrol stations (2km from the Arg. border post and in Vicuna, nothing in between). Augua Negra Pass closes in winter. No exact dates, they close it with the first snow, usually in mid-May, it's reopened when the snow melts sometime in November. San F. should be open all year, just like the 3200m pass between Mendoza and Santiago. The latter is all paved, snow can be expected in mid-winter.

Both passes are just under 4800m, at around 14h I had 2°C on Agua Negra and 10°C on San F. Breathing is difficult above 3500m, make sure you're acclimatized if you want to spend a night higher than that. Read up on AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

I'll cross the Paso de Jama this Sunday and I expect it to be just as great riding as the other three :-)

Find my photos of the S.F. Pass here:
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...20and%20Chile/

Cheers
Frank

[Martynho]

Hi Susan,

Well firstly good luck with your trip, all the Chile - Argentina passes are awesome but only the main tarmacced routes dont close for the winter. I went over Paso Aguas Negras just up from where you are in La Serena about 5 weeks ago. They told at the Chilean border (Cruze del Toro, near Vicuna) me that they would be closing "in a week or two". It was 'kin freezing up there even then so be very prepared. I came accross a Uruguayan chap right at the top on a knackered old and bodged chinese 200cc chopper.

San Francisco is further North so MAY have less snow and so may close later. I would strongly suggest you speak with the Carabineros (who control the borders) at Copiapo before you set off. If there is any snow at all forget it you wont make it.

You will need fuel for about 400km

I am in the UK right now but returnng to Santiago on Saturday, if you are coming through you are welcome to secure bike parking, a spare bed and a .

Enjoy the ride, hope you can make it over

Martyn

[deeve007]

Damn, sounds like picking up a bike in Santiago mid/end of July would rule out a sane person heading across to Argentina, guess I'll be heading north then.

[mekongfrank]

Originally Posted by deeve007

Damn, sounds like picking up a bike in Santiago mid/end of July would rule out a sane person heading across to Argentina, guess I'll be heading north then.

The pass from Santiago to Mendoza is only 3200m high, all paved and it should be open all year, except the time it takes to clear it after fresh snowfall.

[FatMeercat]

Hi all,

Firstly thanks to everyone for their advice on this crossing - it was indeed beautiful, well worth the brrr cold and a lot of fun.

So - quick recap:
1) Roads were absolutely completely free of any snow or ice. At lower alt (ie. at Chilean border crossing 3700m, there was a bit of frost in the morning, but at Laguna Verde where I camped 1 night at 4500m, nothing on the bike in the morning).

2) Conditions: Apart from 30km of slippery, ground up sand/gravel after the Chilean Border post going up to the Paso, it was pretty good ripio. As others have said, they are doing major roadworks along the CHilean side, so this means there's lots of traffic (comparatively), so if you run into any problems you'll usually have a pickup zooming past every 30mins.
Beautiful smooooooth pavement from the Paso (literally under the border sign) all the way to Fiambala. Some nice curves esp as you get closer to Fiambala. I had pretty strong wind for about 100kms which was just a bit tiring but ok. THere are a number of emergency refuges dotted along the Argentinean road if you need a rest.

3) Fuel: Yep - no fuel between Copiapo and the Argentiean border (20kms from the Paso). Indeed 6 pesos/L but worth it if you've no fuel. For my 200cc I used 17L between Copiap and the Argentiean border, where I gladly fuelled up.

4) Air filter: I did nothing to the carb, but did open my air filter at 3500m. Did a lovely construction of a spinach mesh bag and duct tape to offer a bit of protection from flying stones. Other than that, my lil bike performed beautifully.

5) Where to stay: Yes it was cold - at night. During the day was surprisingly ok. Just used my standard leather gloves, no double layer, pretty much rode in normal gear. But at night - bloody cold. Cause I take things pretty slow, my trip went: COpiapo - Chilean border post (where the Carabinero offered me a bed AND hot shower AND dinner), day 2 Chilean border post to Laguna Verde. There are luke warm hot spring there, and open area to camp. I um found um a 'house' (read Carabinero summer post) and um set up my tent inside - so had a lovely night!. Laguna Verde is A TREAT - a beautiful serendipitious sight to come across after riding up up through the high altitude rocky planes. Day 3 Laguna Verde to Fiambala. You CAN do this in 1 day less, I am just happily slow!

I met 2 other bikers, who had just come across picas negra a bit further south as well on the route so that seems to be open.

I'll be getting around to updating my blog at chasing serendipity in the next day and will have pics up there.

Ciao chicos and suerte to those going the route!
I'm now in Cafayate and heading north to do Salar de Uyuni
Susan

[wetpanda]

For people looking to do this pass in the future the post above was very helpful. I think a few things have changed and the road conditions are a bit better - I think a lot more of the Chilean side is paved now and the gravel bit is super easy.

Very beautiful but cold and windy, at least it was when I went. Fuel, about 470 kilometers in between stations so take a jerry can if you don't have the range - I bought one an 11 liter one (which I really didn't need but figured it's better to carry extra gas than run out) at the Copec in Chile for 3800 pesos.

There are five or six emergency shelters on the Argentinian side, which were awesome, in between the aduana and the closest town Fiambala... pick one they're all free. There is also an abandoned tourist resort after the fourth shelter which I'm sure you can stay at.

I stayed at Refugio No 4 and there was coal, cigarettes, a lighter, and other random bits. Anyway, they are free and it's nicer than pitching a tent because it gets you out of the wind and they are quite warm. I also saw the Carabinero place on the Chilean side but didn't stop there.

Argentinian aduana guys were cool and I got camping water from them. There was also a hotel at the top, just a few hundred meters before the Aduana and the guy said it was 40 pesos the night.

Make sure you either have dollars or Argentinian pesos because they don't take Chilean pesos; however, there is an ATM in Fiambala so you can get money and fill up your tank.

I have a KLR and had no problems with the carb or air intake - however, I was going slowly and taking lots of pictures so that may have had something to do with it.

Good luck and have fun!

[bartman]

Hi 4th December 2014, Im planning to Ride Santiago to Buenos Aires via Mendoza. Then up to Iguazu Falls. Does anyone know the frequency of fuels stops along the way ?
Does everyone carry spare fuel ?