planned, we arrived at noon in Buenos Aires late at night to climb from the bus terminal Retiro the intercity bus to Cordoba. Retiro was an adventure in itself with our 5 bags to each 23 kg plus hand luggage, such as cameras and backpack! By 23 clock at night, we had to board to be ready. Finding the right bus lane was also at a total of 60 climbing is not easy. After we had removed the luggage rack about 10 U.S. dollars for a work of about 5 minutes, we sat us literally on our Gepäck.Wir were there too early. But then the bus finally arrived and our luggage was invited.
Fidi had now first have to a great service. After 2 days and was ready for the next adventure Fidi miles to take under the wheels. Südmendoza North Patagonia and lay before us - fishing was back in fashion. It was still an unusual amount of snow in the Andes and in the high valleys, it was pretty fresh for the season. In the desert valleys, we had the first chance Mata Fuego (the fire extinguisher shrubs) to photograph.
Soon there was a bit too f eggs because the tachometer approached the 200,000 miles. De n champagne we had ever better o rgt. This time it is not met during the tour (which had hitherto always been the case - for example, with 150,000 miles on Fidi Senior Fuego Argentine side, 200000 miles in Santa Cruz and 250 thousand miles back to Tierra del Fuego on the Chilean side). We drove hon sc in the town of Esquel when the speedometer on the 200 threatened to overturn 000 miles - where we should n can last for? A brilliant idea: the Parkpla tz Anonima the supermarket. It worked, just at the entrance to the parking lot dumped the numbers. Still running in the park area - and .... what out well, champagne, two glasses on the hood and have slammed the pin. The faces of the people in our area should have been photographed!
Up to Trelew, where we started our first tour this season, it was now not far off for Argentine conditions. Throughout the Chubut valley lay before us. We wanted to check up our seats, because it can change very little. It was then that way.
Our favorite place in the years since Piedra Parada was zugezäunt and locked with a lock. Since we know the area very well but we also have an equally original soon Place on the river in front of the Piedra Parada found. Slightly beat izer road but still had to come into play to get there. Our 2 blades and hand saws were doing back their good service. After 2 hours n the matter was settled. There are also some other campers because pleasure, when they to explore the place.
southern Patagonia Explorer Tour (December 2007)
early December, the accumulated e-mail and SMS contacts with our guests who have reisefiebrig the days to the departure included. In the short term was also a follow-me subscriber with Mietcamper (2 people) for a section of Trel ew registered by Cochrane. Luckily had the two "Follows" nor can a Patagonia C amper (pick-up with camper cabin) Change trains gene, because with a Charito (low-lying van) are
spill routes not to deal with! ! We would not have the two "Follows" can take.
On St. Niklaustag we had previously met with the "follows" a couple from Hamburg on agreed meeting point. Final information n were there exchanged and the next day, we then have the "La Banda" collected: 2 participants (1 pair of Bern) picked up from the airport and the Hosteria placed where a nother 2 (1 Grisons and 1 Stuttgart Erin) were already arrived the day before.
A completely new route was planned for this tour. The Anfa ng by Chubutertal was the same as in other years, but then we went to the point. Despite great weather, lots of runs in December were still rough, as the slope slide was not ready yet penetrated .
showed Thus, over time some quirks on Mietcamper the "Follows" like almost falling door, one which we soon got into the handle or decorated with a flat tire when Guardaganado "historico" (livestock guardian grid with from canisters, tin, blankets, horse hair, sunglasses, Spiro springs, bottles, profiles, sheet, old boots, etc., assembled figure known as Bin Laden (who had our "Follows" probably shot in the tires).
The tension grew from day to day. Arrived in Va. O'Higgins we found after several rounds of village and demands then finally the person responsible for the ordered Cabana (Hut). The next morning, another village round to the office of the O'Higgins expeditions. Hans Silva was there and our reservation in June ordered the transition to El Chalten and the boat trip to the glacier O'Higgins was fine. Prepare and Pack was now announced. In the hut was rented for enough space. We had an absolute great weather, but for the next day was quite fashionable wind. At 8 we went around clock at the pier. We were already the first half an hour there before. By and by came cyclists and shuttle buses from O'Higgins approached. 60 people maximum sums up the boat, 50 were present. We still had sunshine and the wind was on the first line in the frame. The last half hour before the intermediate stop at the Estancia Candeleira Mancilla was pretty steep. Without life jackets could be no more into the upper deck. Those who ventured there was, then showered and neatly.
The stop in Candeleira Mancilla most cyclists went ashore to the route to Argentina the same day to take to the dogs.
About half of the passengers remained on board for the glacier tour. The wind was increasing. The first half an hour on the glacier trip was something rough, then the lake in the protection of the present calm in the western mountains. Deep blue ice moved close by to us. The experienced captain navigated the boat is very safe. The sun was shining. Only towards the glacier, it was cloudy and very windy. The Campo de Hielo Sur (Southern Continental ice field greeted) with full force. We had already inquired whether because glacial ice would be brought on board. Sure, the response from Hans Silva (Chile) - probably the greatest adventurers here that makes this tour at all possible. soon as we were near enough reached the glacier, nothing went without life jackets - all had to wear them. Hans Silva and his colleagues made their way. You water temper the Zodiac in the rear of the ship. Of chunks of ice to ice blocks, they circled around in front of the glacier ice and loaded into the Zodiac. Soon they were back. Classical music coming from your speakers. Our whiskey we had already provided. The Organization Va. O'Higgins Expeditiones offered the drink on ice, too. We had also been worried by the glacial ice and ready to start. The empty liter bottle of whiskey was then disposed of overboard. Bottle made here probably does not make much sense, since no one lives here. Therefore, the bottle was then without notice.
The experience was terrific. The glacier calved here and there and the clever captain in the area circled by boat along the glacier tongue. The sun still came through very briefly, the wind had by now completely down, the mood was perfect.
By late afternoon we were back at the ranch Candeleira Mancilla, where our guests from aboard, went to stay here and the next day the 5-hour ride to take a horse to the north shore of Lake Desierto and then with another boat to reach the southern shore of the lake, where then she drove a bus to El Chalten. There, the appointed Cabana waited for our guests.
We stayed on board and returned to Va. O'Higgins, where Fidi waited patiently for us. The next day, made we are early on the 3-day detour via Cochrane, Roballo Paso, Ruta 40 to El Chalten to our guests on 25/12/2007 in El Chalten to meet again. In this way, shortly after O'Higgins we had an experience to which we had been waiting for 10 years. In the street stood a Huemul (endangered Rehart) and looked at and puzzled. Cautiously we sampled ran us Fid. The Huemul did not seem very impressed and proud, and slowly crossed the road. Up to 5 meters, we could approach. It was photographed and filmed peered, sometimes from one then the other side and then moved further on his way. On the evening of 12/24/2007, we turned on the Ruta 40 to El Chalten, and Fitzi (Fitz Roy) was from the best.
- What concerns the condor. To see so many at once was almost on down. A whole school condor. The boys had to learn to fly. The old man did before. The boys were in the air to about 5 m above the Fidi and eyeing us, until then the old woman came and took them to a safer distance wegscheuchte. Total of 21 condors we had a total count. Everyone was really excited. Despite the cold Zeballo Pass to about 1300 m altitude photos were dressed only in t-shirt made because it was easy to forget that it actually would be quite cold (about 5 degrees).
- Many, of course moving "stones" crossed our way north. One of them was pretty surprised when we stopped spontaneously, one of our guests dashed from the car and pursued him goal-striving. After some chaotic running after he got it then to be taken. Pichi (armadillo) overcomes his tank in all directions, but there was nothing to be done, our guest had him under control. The photo of Pichi by all sides was thus assured for each focal length!
came after 25 days of adventure tour, we returned to Esquel, where the tour ended, as planned. New Year's Eve was imminent! It had only a few guests arrived at the campsite in Esquel. Among them was a well-known "Fidibüssler. After 3 trips to spill, he wanted to devote more now of the local ornithology and volcano climbs make. He was traveling with a colleague for 4 weeks in Patagonia with a Mietcamper. They joined us later. After standing drink, appetizer, barbecue, dessert then chilled champagne ready to greet the new year properly. We had been wondering why from 23 clock did not go the customary Countdown on the radio and why other campers were after 23 clock rather quiet! What we had not noticed in the wilderness, was that the Clock on 30/12/2007 in Argentina (the first time this season) 1 hour E was introduced. Time is relative, so we celebrated the New Year beginning after Fidizeit. Our guests had then only a big surprise when they were on the morning of 02/01/2008 the chauffeur of the ordered Buses to Alerces National Park has one hours earlier taken away from the breakfast table. They were lucky because the bus was half an hour late anyway (As always).
Review :
6500 mileage, 80% slopes
21 days without rain with lots of sunshine (25)
4 days with little rain only temporarily: Drive to Lago Vinter, Valle de los Exploradores, Mitchell Fjord - Va. O'Higgins, Fontana south bank he Min 4 ° C at night / max. Temperature daytime 29 degrees C
1 tire lost air, because of a broken valve at Fidi
an avulsed hitch plug for Fidi
a platter of battered tires during Mietcamper our "Follows"
a broken door bracket to the cab of the camper Mietcampers our "Follows"
Patagonia - Mendoza Tour 2008
order the tracks of the Route 40 once basically connect to the Ne rv, we started the tour in Rio Gallegos First south / east to Cabo Virgenes from the Strait of Magellan, where penguins walk literally in the first kilometers of Route 40 and raise their young and even control Fidis subsoil. Here, as in all of Patagonia unusually mild temperatures prevailed and a very severe drought, so that later in the Torres del Paine National Park on Lake Grey, the compulsory ice for the whiskey on the rocks with a million-year-old Ice for their own adventure was. Far and wide was not a spot to be close at hand-being-Border ice. The usual trail on the peninsula was officially closed because the water level was so high because of the very high summer temperatures, that at the end of the round-tour of the trail in the water ended and no return over the dam from there was possible from everything. But exactly where Rolf had seen a piece of ice! So you there. However, it was a bold "fish" is necessary to come to get at the chunks of ice and was then not without a shower over the stage. The ice w as crystal clear. Some went even with the whiskey on it locally and the rest we have carried in a backpack to drip Fid. On the way there we had then the tourists constantly made aware that something is dripping from the backpack, which we always proud and smiling confirmed! In the camper fridge then took the icy wet and we could finally rest still some Pisco Sour cool with it! The excessively high temperatures for Patagonia stopped and continue on the Carretera Austral, it was all much too dry. The forest suffers a lot, the meadows were all yellow and led the rivers either hardly any water from the melt or even flooding. In Mendoza announced soon fell in the fall, but stayed th e discoloration of the leaves often, since the foliage often very dry was. That was the tour easy to drive and easy, no mud and no rain, but dust without end! However, another obstacle was waiting for us in Northern Patagonia: Because of "conscious" bottlenecks in the fuel production, many gas stations dry. There were also no more diesel. Huge queues of cars waiting at gas stations on the driving wet, and things get heated so pretty. We also waited in the "Cola" (queue), but what was our downfall was that American cars have the filler neck just to the left. So it was impossible to get in a conventional manner to the gas pump, we were always on the wrong side. Unfortunately, the attendant wanted not understand the hectic and followed discussions, because as we should now turn to the gas pump. Until the problem was finally solved, would be the diesel had run out - no hay mas! (There is nothing more). Fortunately, we knew another somewhat hidden gas station, which should according to the prior information in about 1 hour to get diesel. Let's go! We were the first to fill up there were the same. A few minutes later, the line of cars had moved from the main road to the small hidden station. We had free with a full tank back 600 km ride. By the end of the tour we had no supply problems.
Review:
Ca. Entire 6000 km mileage, 80% gravel
tour without rain!
minimum temperature at night: 8 ° C / maximum temperature during the day 30 degrees C
No plates
Andean highlands Atacama desert in 2008
This tour started with a few obstacles:
- food supply problems
- failure of a participant's account due to an accident on another tour
- not near the late arrival of a participant überbuchtem transatlantic flight
- not near the timely arrival of a Group members HMER for a pass theft in Santiago
- cold snap across Argentina
Our first purchase in Mendoza was a hurdle race. Since agricultural production was severely shaken in difficult discussions with the government (details and background information on the Internet for zulesen), the production of meat, dairy products and oil was greatly reduced or even made-. Exactly 1 day before the start of this tour for 30 days, the strike was lifted. In the shops but there was still nothing. Empty meat shelves Butchers and closed for days were the rule. Milk and oil has been streamlined to 2 liters per purchase. Meat was obtained only to be in "black butcher" very inflated prices. With 6 shopping on Supermercados in and around Mendoza, we then have the purchasing for the first tour week got together. We were barely a few days with blue skies and pleasant temperatures were already on the way to turn. The hiking in Famatinagebirge 2000m Unfortunately we had to cancel because of thick drizzle. We have taken refuge in the low-lying plains of La Rioja. Even there it was at about 1100 m above sea level still quite fresh and turbid. We heard later that a cold wave swept over Argentina would be. Later on the tour has been found that the cold wave has also affected Chile and just so that the temperatures during the whole tour in Argentina and Chile on average about 10 degrees C were not as high as other years. Could the cold weather also affect braking? After our experience in Chilecito You might think so. Behind our Fidi a car was parked, the owner is obviously very hurry, for he had forgotten in the sloping ground, the wheels to turn against the curb, because its brakes apparently no longer worked. And it came as it must in such a situation. We were just back from shopping and wanted give everything in the camper. Suddenly it crashed and rumbled Fidi it pretty intense. The car had gone freelance and came on the entrance stairs to stand on Camper. One of our participants could save just by jumping to the side! The staircase was so damaged that it first had to deal with Rolf with the hammer again. The car we have and then push back with steered wheels at the curb "moored". The brake was not at all on this cart. The owner came back and wondered what had happened. Disculpe! (Sorry) was all he rumbled on with his self-barrow. Strikes and lower temperatures made is especially noticeable in Calama at the Chuquicamata copper mine, or at the Tatiogeysiren. Chuquicamata is the village there are now no longer - it was filled in the excavation of the mine. The inhabitants were all moved to Calama. The mine itself has serious problems with the workers regarding working conditions and wages. Thus, the mine was once again on strike. All visits have been canceled until an indefinite time.
What Tatio geysers concerns was a night to 4250 m above sea level not to think. Even at 3300 m above sea level in the initial morning we had only zero temperatures. Still never been so cold here, not even then, when snow and rain in the Atacama desert to visit the geysers had prevented Tatio (we had also reported about it). So we decided very early in the morning still in the dark near entrance ramp up to the geysers Tatio to view before dawn to get there. It was then folded Sun
All passes were easily passable and free of snow, but just damn cold. Only one pass gave us to create - the Abra del Acay. Every year it is expected that this section of Route 40 over nearly 5000 m above sea level is not passable. We were at the tourist information inquired whether it would be the "road" transit-to-read. put away with care and stones, the transition would be free, but not talking, you have assured us. So we did early in the morning on his way. 93 km, the route - well understood national highway Route 40 - through the mountains. Just before the pass we met a pickup that was probably started very early on the other side. We asked him if there would be difficulties along the route. The driver said no, we had to travel with caution. The pass we actually managed without special events, including the serpentines on the other side were not damaged. The further we go into deeper Valley were progressing, the worse the road. In some places we had to repair the track this far with stones, so Fidi was still standing with all wheels on solid ground. This went on until about 10 km from the finish, then was washed off the slopes as far as that building was no longer possible with stones and only a small narrow pickup with no weight had just to get by in short supply. We were at 3,200 m above sea level down to the exit. The right of the river, next to the rock. It was clear, here it is for us no further. We had everything back again, again almost 5000 m above sea level take over the pass and the alternative route to Campo Quijano at 1400 m above sea level , to move forward.
Otherwise, the tour proceeded as planned. Thick socks in my sleeping bag, however, were still fashionable. The entrance to Clavillopass to 1450 m above sea level only of Catamarca to Tucuman surprised us then the frost. In the morning everything was white. The tents were stiff coated with frost.
Review :
Ca. 5000 km, of which 60% Trails
1 day rain, 2 days fog, 2 days cloudy, other days of sunshine
night minimum temperature: -4 ° C / Maximum temperature 20 degrees C during the day
No plates
lost crossbar of bull bar
entry stairs damaged
Finally, a short story:
For Europeans who like the local rates of wheels sometimes look very good for scrap cars. For some Argentines but these are all what they have and the fact they are proud. Sometimes such movable parts are on weekends at camp sites, bringing the whole family asado (barbecue) is arrived. One of our students is so noticed a mobile unit with open windows and sometimes lack of body work. The seat cushions were pretty much damaged, that the springs were visible in the cushions. A striking dusty Sunglasses were also discover the fact that our tour participants touched down after inspection of the car interior itself and the manner of James Dean flaunting moving in the direction of our barbecue. Then applied voices from another nearby barbecue could be heard. Our car inspector appealed on the sunglasses quickly returns. 2 people approached the "car" and spoke in a harsh tone to our "Gangster", which would of course mean nothing in the faith he had done nothing wrong, because this truck belonged to scrap anyway anyone. One of Argentina's then turned vigorously the panes in the car. The other Argentines resulted from our participants and Rolf was with him to resolve alleged communication problems. Rolf has he then explained that this would be the comedian of our group, to which the Argentines nodded understandingly and a friendly conversation about football, travel and Asado developed. The matter was created out of the world. So, not all scrap cars scrap cars really are!
More Photos
on our Photo Page: http://fotoservices.bluewin.ch/fotopage/fidibustours/
the latest below 2007 / 08_Abenteuer Patagonia
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