Hey guys, I am in Mendoza, Argentina right now and tomorrow plan to head for Chile where I will ride South and re-enter Argentina to go to Ushaia. Is anyone nearby and want to ride together?


Geoff

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

Hey Gato...
I cant ride with you, as i just returned from Ushuaia and I am relaxing in Buenos Aires. I do want to encourage you to ride the Carretera Austral Ruta 7 south of Puerto Mont.
Its a beautiful and awesome dirt/gravel road. Crossing over into Argentina again at Chile Chico by going the long way around the big lake there is the best way for sure. Stunning is the only way to describe this ride. You would logically go on eastward to Perito Moreno to catch Ruta 40 and head south to El Calafate and see the Perito Moreno Glacier.

For some more adventure on your way east to Ruta 40, you could take the more remote Ruta 41 to Cara Baracoles. This is just before you enter the Argentine town on the border. Someone around there should be able to tell you. This was really fascinating back way to Ruta 40. Bring extra fuel in these areas of Argentina.

Good luck! Hope you weather holds out.

Chas Walter
KTM950

Thank you soundpony, I have had some good luck in Santiago. I met a helicopter from the US who is going to lend me some spare tools and I will mail them back to him when I return.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

Hey guys, I am in Valdivia Chile and am riding South through Puerto Montt today. Anyone close buy or am I the only crazy/stupid one to do Ushaia this late in the year?

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

You probably are crazy, but you and we knew that. Just keep getting weather updates and bolt like lightning if it sounds like its ok. thing is it can change faster than you can ride of course.
You are on perfect course for the Carretera Austral. From Puerto Mont you are going to ride out of town for 45min to a ferry landing then take a short ferry ride to Hornopiren before getting on another ferry for about 4hrs that will take you just north of Chaiten. Then you are on the heart of the CA and you will never forget it! GAS up often. You can take it all the way to O'higgins, but you cant cross over there, or you can bolt over to Ruta 40 by going around the lake to Chile Chico. In Chile Chico you could stay at the excellent "Patagonia...?" hostel, a cool old house that some ladies run. Just past the main part of town on your left. Might be closed also now.

Like I said earlier if you want to make time just head on to Perito Moreno town on Ruta 40 and then south and GAS UP often, you can sometimes find NO GAS in many of the smaller outposts! I promise you! Get to El Calafate and relax and get the weather reports. GO SEE the Glacier Perito Moreno DO NOT MISS IT!!!! If you ride out you must show up at 4pm to get to the upper parking lot. There is a nice dirt road out of town that leads to the paved entrance road. ask around and take this ripio road..

Good luck and stay in touch... let me know if you have other questions..

Chas