Paso Garibaldi / Ushuaia May 31st - June 2nd?
 

Hey folks!

Planned to be in Ushuaia by the end of April, but am only in Valparaiso, Chile as of now.. (detouring through Venezuela and spending x2 time in Colombia did that I guess, with no regrets though!)

Received sound advice to avoid Southern Chile and hence.. the Carreterra Austral because it will be rainy/windy/cold at this time (I know it's suppose to be the most scenic of them roads..!) And instead, go through Mendoza and ride south through Argentina to TDF.

However, my question is, how loco is it to cross the Paso Garibaldi around May 31st? And then do it again heading back north around June 2nd?

Any other Ushuaia-bound late riders looking for a riding partner around those dates?

Being from Canada, I've ridden through snow before, but I don't want to push it too far either.

Anyone here ever crossed the Paso Garibaldi in early June?

Cheers!
Jimmy

24 000Km+ & 6 Months since Montréal, Canada.

Hi Jimmy,

When I left Puerto Natales we had a bit of snow and that was early April, 2c daily highs and very windy, very cold. I can only assume riding conditions will be similar or harsher now. Expect long stretches down to TDF with extreme headwinds, did I say it was cold? Wrap up well! If you get sick of it down there and can't be bothered riding back up, as I did, there is a NAVIMAG boat that sails weekly from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt, takes four days, nice trip if the weather is okay. Around 300 USD and 200 for the bike.

Good luck,
RTW

At that point I was too cold and my transmission was totally shot and wasn't sure how long I'd have to wait around for a new one, so I forked out the cash and got the boat. After the Carreterra Austral I just felt like I was going through the motions. Plus I was pretty fed up with the extreme south, finding it dull over all, very expensive, and not enjoyable riding at all. I think you can see more in a day in Bolivia or Peru than a week down in Patagonia but depends your expectations and reasoning I suppose. I regret not seeing the pass as it looks very beautiful but nothing else.

Ruta 3 or Ruta 40 from Neuquen to Ushuaia in June?
 

Hey everyone,

Just an update to say that I'm in Neuquen now in Argentina. I've decided to keep on pushing south towards Ushuaia until the weather stops me!

My main dilemma now is whether to take Ruta 40 from here south, through Bariloche/Esquel, Perito Moreno down to El Calafate and attempt to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier and then heading to Rio Gallegos and Ushuaia from there. The cost of this route is temperatures in the 2 - 6 degrees Celcius range over the next week, with lots of rain forecast as well, and I believe some riding in gravel/earth in some portions,

The other option would be taking Ruta 3, closer tot he Atlantic and going through Trelew/Rawson, Comodoro Rivadavia and straight down to Rio Gallegos. The advance of this route is it will be more dry and warmed (forecasts around 15-18 degrees over the next days) and all paved road.

My heart is obviously leaning for Ruta 40, but with people saying it was cold as held in April already.. and with the likely riding in rain and wet earth.. I'm hesitating.

Any enlightened advice?

Thanks!
Jimmy

Little Ride Update Update:

Took Ruta 40 until I got caught in muddy clay near Gregores. Ended up taking Ruta 3 from there, but not without a good drive in the snow.

Made it to Tierra del Fuego yesterday and Rio Grande Today. Will make the attempt to Ushuaia tomorrow, hoping the Paso Garibaldi won't have any ice!

Almost there after + 6 months and +28 000km!
:)