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Is it crazy to plan to hit Patagonia in Aug/Sept? Is it crazy to plan to hit Patagonia in Aug/Sept?
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  #1  
Old 9 Mar 2015
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Is it crazy to plan to hit Patagonia in Aug/Sept?
Hey everyone
its a been a while since on the HUBB, but finally getting things rolling South America wise, My question is in the title, due to restrictions on when I can travel, how unpleasant will a winter ride around Patagonia really be? I guess it will just be colder and I will have to wait longer between good weather spells to ride, I guess lots of snow everywhere would make it even more beautiful?

Or is it a really bad idea?

Thanks in advance

George
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  #2  
Old 9 Mar 2015
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Question is asked frequently here. Tierra del Fuego would be pretty rotton I imagine in August? Can have snowstorms in the height of summer there. Southern Chile should be okay by September, check out wikipedia which has detailed climate information for pretty much most urban settlements, towns and cities and correlate and compare. If you could leave it to end of Sep, and October, that'd be a better perhaps. Snows down south supposed to clear out by then though not sure about many of the southern passes?
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  #3  
Old 14 Mar 2015
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I've just got out of Patagonia after riding around for 6 weeks. Problem with your time frame is not so much temperature and snow, but really strong wind. Even now can be very challenging at times and in winter is much worse. My bike got blown over the kickstand down the cliff on Chilean side on caretera Austral.
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  #4  
Old 16 Mar 2015
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snow happens
It is not unheard of to experience snow in Southern Patagonia in the warmest part of the summer, December/January. Average wind speed is highest in January and February (depending on the source, November.)



Basically it is cold there in summer and even colder the rest of the year. August / September are not the worst and not the best for rain/snow, but its the lower temperature that would worry me. If you are determined, then go with good protection against the elements and maybe chains for your tires. Nick Sanders reported encountering snow late in June 2011,
I arrived in Ushuaia at 4.30 this morning and hit 50 kms of snow over the mountains which took me 5 hours to complete. I head planted into the side of the road and broke a bone in my foot, can't walk on my left foot, but as I'm on a bike it doesn't matter. Keep it in the boot and it'll be fine. Big snow coming so I have found an amazing workshop and expert moto crosser and he is fitting snow tyres with studs for tommorow. Will cope with a foot of snow, should make good pictures for the Super Tenere.
Record Breaking - Nick Sanders

Some annual weather website for starters. There are many to choose from.

Ushuaia, Argentina Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)

Weather and Climate: Ushuaia, Argentina, average monthly , Rainfall (millimeter), Sunshine, Temperatures (celsius), Sunshine, Humidity, Wind Speed

Weather in Ushuaia | PATAGONIA-ARGENTINA.COM |
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2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
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  #5  
Old 16 Mar 2015
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chains anyone?
PS: due to scheduling constraints, I rode to BA and flew south on a plane, took buses, private car and a cruise around Tierra del Fuego, so I have zero personal experience riding further south than Rioja, AR. My friend Philip White encountered snow as he got close to Ushuaia, in late December 2012. I rode through snow in Bolivia north of Potosi. It kinda sucks.
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2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
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  #6  
Old 25 Mar 2015
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In August there will be sub zero temps in the mornings in many áreas of Patagonia, more so as you get closer to T del Fuego. Ice on the road could be an issue.


September will be better, October much better!. Heated gear and good equipment is recommended. Ive rode there on January and was cold at night or on cloudy days.
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  #7  
Old 25 Mar 2015
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Day after Christmas day. Ushuia



Everyone froze for several days.
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  #8  
Old 26 Mar 2015
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I'd wait until at least sept. as others have recommended.
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  #9  
Old 1 Apr 2015
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FYI

Here now down in Punta Natales 1st of April tomorrow, looking to get the hell out as soon as possible. Considering taking Ferry to Puertom Montt this weekend. Really really cold, wet and windy riding conditions. Snow forecast for TDF next week, pretty miserable really. Long distances down here, not much to see. Very overpriced tourist town to tourist town and just insanely windy meseta inbetween. Not great camping for wildcampers neither. The Carretera Austral was fantastic and had amazing weather up there, kind of wished I had just turned around and gone back up north but well I guess curiosity gets the better of you. Good luck!

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  #10  
Old 12 Apr 2015
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Wrong season
I imagine Patagonia in Aug/Sep would be like Alaska in Jan/Feb.
Burrrrrrrrrrr!
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