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16 Feb 2014
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,579
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To Punta Arenas
In the morning we headed to the dock at 1130 for the 2 pm sailing and were of course first in line, except for those with reservations. “You can make reservations!!??” We all said since this is not listed anywhere online.
Screen Shot 2014-02-14 at 12.52.30 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01696 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01699 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
In the end there were 12 bikes… Us, Orvar from Sweden, Trevor from Calgary, Tony from Spain, Bart and Renata from Holland, Eran from Isreal, Faizel, Madie, and Zamri from Malaysia, and Argentinean couple.
FILE3986 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01700 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01711 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The 90 min crossing took over 3 hours with salt spray and waves crashing over the bikes and us at times.
DSC01713 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01714 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01717 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
Arriving in Punta Arenas we headed first to the shop of Alejandro, who is a great mechanic at Alelago Workshop! We needed oil changes and he did a one over and adjusted and fixed several things on both bikes. Thanks so much! I don’t think our bikes have been this clean since new.
DSC01747 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01749 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01752 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01751 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01750 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01768 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
There is a very impressive cemetery here and a nice waterfront as well.
DSC01718 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01722 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01726 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01729 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01719 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01745 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01743 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01753 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
DSC01763 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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16 Feb 2014
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,579
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To Puerto Natales
Now an easy ride 247 km to Puerto Nateles.
Screen Shot 2014-02-14 at 1.04.20 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
We ran in to the Malaysian team again on the road.
puerto natales 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
It’s a small town so we eventually met up with 10 of the 12 riders from the ferry ride for a Parilla dinner.
puerto natales 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
We did a bit of riding around town.
puerto natales 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
puerto natales 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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16 Feb 2014
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,579
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Torres del Paines
The big attraction here is the Torres del Paines National Park, where people come from all over the world to hike the 5 -day “W” route. Initially “we” entertained similar loft plans, but luckily I reminded Daniel, “we really don’t like backpacking trips remember”. That said we opted for the 1- day hike to the towers. This is 9 km each way. Somehow we convinced Orvar and Trevor that this was a great plan.
Screen Shot 2014-02-16 at 4.15.17 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
So we all got up early to drive the 150 km to the Park gate, with the last 90 km ripio. Driving along we had the view of the mountain range and the towers that were our target for the day.
torres del pines 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The entrance fee is a steep 18 CP or about 40$. We set off with water and a lunch to walk the 4 hours up to the towers in 3 ½.
torres del pines 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The middle section is less steep as we walked up the French Valley headed by the spires of Cerro Cota and Cerro Cathedral.
torres del pines 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The last 45 minutes is switchbacks and then scrambling over boulders.
torres del pines 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The view of the spires for our picnic was amazing.
torres del pines 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
Laying on a hot flat rock we all had a 45- minute nap to recover for the 3 hours walk down.
torres del pines 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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16 Feb 2014
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,579
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Torres del Paines
The back road thru the park is all ripio for 110 km back to Natales, but the views are stunning along Lakes Nordenskjöd, Pehoe, del Toro, and Sarmiento. (red on the map)
Screen Shot 2014-02-16 at 4.11.46 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The lakes are all a vivid turquoise color because of rock flour or glacial flour, which consists of fine silt sized grains of rock generated by glacial erosion that are suspended in the water and make it look cloudy.
torres del pines 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
torres del pines 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
The last section of the road at this end of the park is closed 10 am to 930 pm for construction. ( yellow road from where the red and green roads meet on the map) Luckily they opened the road just as we arrived at 745 for a very dusty ride back to Natales on the south side of Lago del Toro.
Screen Shot 2014-02-16 at 4.11.08 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)

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Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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