Warning: Vulcano erruption in Chaitén, Chile
 

To all those who are currently or those who soon want to ride the Carretera Austral in Chile...

I am currently in Coyhaique, about in the middle of the Carretera Austral. This morning I learned that the vulcano in Chaitén blew up his top yesterday and the whole region aroiund Chaitén is evacuated! There is no way to pass there. I wanted to pass there mayself in two days... So I concider myself lucky to be still here in Coyhaique...!

The only way (from the south) to get to the island Chiloé (to Quellón) is to take the ferry in Puerto Chacabuco (or in reverse). That's close to Aisén, about 68 km from Coyhaique. The ferry leaves every wednesday at 22pm. A seat cost 36300 Pesos (62 us$), a cabin with bed 38300 Pesos (65 us$). A motorbike costs 23'300 Pesos (40 us$). Reservation very recommended, because EVERYBODY had to go that way - and it's the chilenian vacation time right now...! The ferry needs 23 hours.

I am Thierry from Switzerland, currently on my around-the-world-tour on a BMW 650 Dakar. Some of you I met already on the road, others I'm happy to meet later on. I am on the road now since 6th january 2008 and did so far Mexico-City to Ushuaia and now heading north through Chile, northwest of Argentinia (Salta), Bolivia and Southperu until Lima, where I will take the plane back to Europe to continue towards Asia...

I hope that I could warn some of you before beeing stucked.

Have a safe ride and enjoy!

Thierry
Thierry on Road - Home

Thanks Thierry, be safe out there. :thumbup1:

I was on the Chacabuco ferry a couple of weeks ago and it took 40 hours! Bring plenty of smokes and a hipflask of something medicinal 'cos they don't sell either on the boat. Oh - and food, unless you really really love ham and cheese rolls.

Ham & Cheese rolls
 

Arrrh... ham & cheese rolls. The staple lunch of Argentina!

We are in Argentina and read in the paper yesterday (22nd Feb) that Esquel is being affected by ash making driving difficult, although it said roads were still passable with care.

Steve