Paso Aguas Negras Open?
 

Hi there! I'm in Cordoba Argentina now and am thinking about doing Paso Aguas Negras to Chile. Does anyone know the status of the pass? (i.e. open or not). I have read that it closes in May and the rumors here is that it is closed because snow... I will go to San Juan anyway to get more info ... but figured I would post on here see if anyone knows. Thanks in advance.

Hey WP, not sure about that one, but I just today crossed Puente del Inca to Chile, which reopened yesterday after 3 days of being closed.

There was some nasty wind patches on the Arg side, and still some snow and ice fallen onto the road on the Chile side. Border took 2 hours due to volume of traffic. Snow was melting quickly though, quite warm up there today.

Good tip is to pop into the bus station and see if you can track down a distance bus driver - they were very helpful to me when in Mendoza (the people in the bus offices just wanted to sell tickets - so kept saying it was going to be open).

Much warmer now - after weeks in the freezing south, very welcome that!

P

Just looked at some photos of Paso Aguas Negras: looks spectacular, but I'd be extremely dubious unless I met someone who'd just crossed in the other direction. The page I read said 200 vehicles per year, open until April, 4700 meters. That's high, desolate and probably closed at first snowfall.

I always suggest asking the drivers of buses or other public transport, but that won't do you any good in cases like this where there are no buses and no public transport.

That page also said two tunnels are being constructed, so who knows?

In any case, post back here if you decide to try it out.

Mark

aduaneros
 

hola mark
easiest thing to do is go and ask the guys at the custom station they will write down your number anyway and check with their chilean counterparts later in the day.
they will be able to tell you about the road condition.and it is not very far from rodeo where you can spent the night.
all the best geri

I called ahead a week ago and they were closed. sorry, don't know if they still are but I imagine they still are

And it is...
 

... closed:-(

I ended up driving up there and when I got to immigration this morning the guy told me it was closed due to heavy snow - missed it by six days! He said he doubts it will reopen for the season and will open up again in November - he said it's usually open November to April.

I asked lots of people on the way and no one knew. Police, military and just people in general. Then it seemed like people made a up a few answers - some with a yes and some with a no it's not open - so I figured I would check it out myself... when in doubt go anyway. It ended up being a nice ride and now I'm at the base of the Mendoza/Santiago pass... still nice and am looking forward to the ride tomorrow.

Chaiki, you should post some information so people in the future can check themselves. Who did you call for information? Thanks to everyone for your help and this gives me a reason to come back

Useful Link
 

I just did Paso San Francisco and am heading back over to Chile via Paso Jama. I found this useful link on another thread that may be helpful to people in the future who are planning on doing any Argentinian mountain pass.

Estado de Rutas de los Pasos Internacionales

Later! bier

P.S. I just noticed it was last updated in '09 so maybe it's not that useful... phone numbers may be good though. Anyway, good luck!

Hi

i did Paso De Jama a few days ago. A little bit of black ice and some snow drift across the road but a seriously great ride.

i cam from San Pedro to Arg. all the border controls were great about 2 mins and 5 mins respectively.

enjoy
delb