7CBROWN

7CBROWN

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Route 40 Patagonia,Argentina. Wind, Rain and Friends.

 

7 March 2012

125 miles  of dirt  Cuevas de los Manos

Today we visited the cave of hands. A “cave” that displays 9300 year old paintings of hands. Made by putting their hands on the walls and them blowing the paint out of their mouths leaving outlines of hands all over the cave.

Leaving the cave there were 2 VW Buses in the parking lot, one with California plates the other with plates from Chile. After talking a little we waved goodbye and said see you down the road.

The next town we came to ,Bajo Caracoles, to get gas was out of fuel and the two buses and us all needed fuel. The gas station owner said the next fuel truck was due to arrive in 15 to 30 days.  Now I know we are not really in a hurry here,but that is just a little too long for us to wait around. The next town that hopefully has fuel was 140 Miles south. We all luckily had a little fuel that we have been carrying but knew that it was cutting it close to get to the next town. We all decided to ride together just in case any of us needed a little help getting down the road.We had to camp out a little while down the road for it was getting late and dark. The buses made for an excellent wind block for the bikes and our tent.

8 March 2012

92 Miles of gravel

We all made it to, Gobernador Gregores, the next fuel station! but they do not have any fuel until 4pm. We go into town make lunch with plans to fuel up at 4 and hit the road. At 330pm they say no gas until 8pm. Well we can not go anywhere. We set up camp and waited…at 8pm they have gas and a line and they are rationing gas to $100 pesos per vehicle. Motorcycles are full along with all the extra containers but the buses had to make a couple of trips through the line.

9 March 2012

186 Miles total. 102 of deep deep gravel.

El Chalten

Full of fuel we all hit the road again and decide to ride a little farther together for we all seem to be traveling at about the same pace. So we are now 2 Motorcycles, 2 Volkswagen's, 7 People and a whole lot of fun and a new kind of adventure. We never thought we would be the same speed as the VW vans but it all works out.

A lot of Gravel road today Thick gravel that just pulls the bike all over the road. One bus had a tire blow out and another had a rear shock break. So it was a rough road today and we were all happy to arrive at a town where the road turns to pavement but still no fuel at the station.

The next town El Chalten has fuel but at a much higher price. El Chalten is a beautiful mountain town with huge glaciers, crystal rivers and lakes, granite spires and trout. We decide it is time to catch some fish.

10 March 2012

We drove past the town today and camped by the river with high hopes to catch some fish and have a big fish fry. With Paul’s second cast he hooked a small trout. Big enough to keep and eat. Wow that was fast we now have really high hopes. That was the only fish that was caught that day.

11 March 2012

Woke up with rain. Our favorite. instead of ride in it today we all decide to hike in it! We hiked up to one of the glaciers nearby. a short wet hike. It did clear so we were able to get a good view of the glacier. Rode back to town to dry out all of our gear.

12 March 2012

130 miles

El Chalten-El Calafate, Argentina

Still headed south. Since we can not decide what is worse to ride in, strong wind or rain we got them both today at the same time. Gotta love Patagonia! Funny with all this wind we still have to find a place to dry out.

 

P1040783P1040784Cuevas de Las Manos

P1040905 Our Caravan

P1040830

 

P1040875Beautiful road to

El Chalten. Lucky to see it on a clear blue day for the next days it was raining.

P1040961 First Glacier hike.P1040963

P1040918El Chalten area.

P1040833Route 40.

1 comment:

  1. Camillers! I never thought about a lack of gasoline....glad you were able to find some. What beautiful land you are seeing!!! What a neat adventure! I want to see/talk when we see each other again! I hope that will be sooner rather than later!!!!
    I love you!
    Amy

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