CHILE - Ruta 7 (Carretera Austral) closed at Santa Lucia
Due to the recent landslide at Santa Lucia (two days ago - reported worldwide), the road is closed at Santa Lucia to the northern end of Ruta 7. This is around 50 miles south of Chaiten. Locals say it could be closed for weeks, but unsurprisingly no-one really seems to know for sure quite how long.
The road from Santa Lucia to Argentina is probably also closed, too.
We heard about this yesterday, when we had almost reached Chaiten, coming from the north.
The closure can be by-passed by getting a ferry from Chaiten to Quellon (on the adjacent isle of Chiloe) and then another ferry from Quellon to Puerto Cisnes which is a little to the south of Santa Lucia. However, these ferries are around twice a week and, as you may expect, are now getting very full. Or, as we've decided to do, get the ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales. Or maybe just use Ruta 40 in Argentina and go across to Ruta 7 south of Santa Lucia.
To anyone who may be in this part of the world - we're in a black XRV750 Africa Twin with Ural sidecar, so maybe see you on the road.
Regards, Mark
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