We left Coyhaique in good order yesterday morning. We had been out of the campground “El Tenting” at 9 o’clock on our subsequent leg due north. However first meet Florian, one other younger German whose firm we loved briefly after we camped subsequent to his diesel powered Nissan Patrol SUV “by no means imported to the US,” he identified.
Florian shipped from Germany to Canada and from Halifax he drove to Prudhoe Bay in far north Alaska and from there began south besides he broke down within the wilderness, alone. He didn’t die and as a substitute acquired his Nissan to Fairbanks the place they welded it again collectively, a automobile that freaked mechanics out as they’d by no means seen this mannequin earlier than. I advised him we had been fortunate as Jeep sellers are way more simple entering into South America the 2 instances we stopped by for some recommendation. He’s promoting the automobile to a different German and flying house to Germany subsequent month, in the meantime he’s mountain climbing and having enjoyable.
We had a number of issues to purchase, issues we hadn’t discovered at HiperPatagonico however we discovered at Unimarc a sequence Layne likes least of all.
Yogurt, so arduous to search out Greek stuff in quart containers however that they had tons on this huge warehouse.
We walked and located sugar free almond milk. Rating. And granola and shampoo for one third the worth we discovered it in Argentina. Would you pay 15 bucks for a bottle of shampoo? Milei’s reforms are a tightrope for strange residents.
In Argentina two ounces of sliced ham value practically six bucks, right here we paid two {dollars} for eight ounces (roughly. They use the metric system right here for some purpose. 28 grams to an oz.).
And off we went. I do know you’re questioning why this emphasis on our grocery store enjoyable however the level of this purchasing expedition is that between right here and Puerto Montt now we have discovered one small field retailer to switch what we use on this wilderness. We additionally left city with a full tank of gasoline as a part of our precautionary purchasing.
I checked our gasoline consumption on the gravel and we made about 10 miles to the US gallon over 200 miles. On this pavement we often common round 16. Quiet, simple journey and utilizing much less gasoline, so pavement will get my vote. Florian smiled once I advised him the place the gravel behind south of Villa Cerro Castillo.
Oh I don’t thoughts gravel he stated brightly. Which I figured is likely to be why his chassis broke on the notoriously tough Dalton Freeway in loneliest Alaska.
I can not say it was a panoramic drive. We’re used to mountains now and these didn’t even have snow, they had been merely wreathed in clouds which dropped drizzle on us.
That is summer season in Patagonia. 50 levels and drizzle is the get up name. Lunch is 60 levels and pale mild as if there’s a solar up there someplace. Darkness falls at 9 and we take heed to water tinkling on the roof.
You might make the purpose I’m too depending on sunshine and I’d agree. That isn’t a product of residing within the Keys, moderately I lived within the Keys as a result of I like sunshine. I lack the gene that permits me to wallow within the moist.
I’m discovering this street repetitive, however that is what it appears to be like can like.
Oh and a mile of gravel after we arrived in Puerto Aysen and took refuge within the campground close to downtown.
It’s the weekend so we’ll let the locals play and resume going north on Monday.
Fortunately GANNET2 is an effective refuge in wet climate. A excessive of 60 and rain for us, and at no less than it’s not snow.
We’re hoping to slot in a route through a few ferries and Isla Chiloé visited beforehand, on our strategy to Puerto Montt.