Hi All. We are currently in Punta Arenas, southern Patagonia Chile, with out motorcycles. We seem to be stuck here at the current time, as the news is reporting that customs have gone on an indefinite strike, with participation up to 95% through all air, sea and land ports. We understand that customs are only processing 'humanitarian' vehicles.

We are obviously keen to start our ride north as soon as possible, because winter is fast approaching!

Does anyone have any recent information on whether the border crossing between Chile (ruta 255) and Argentina (ruta 3) at Paso de Integracion Austral is operating at all?

On one of my entries into Chile I ran into a strike by Aduana personnel. I'd already departed the previous country, and the border crossing was in a fairly remote location. There seemed to be no way backward or forward.

The interesting thing was that everyone on both sides of the border seemed to know how the strike was going to play out, including certain periods during which exceptions would be made. At exactly the predicted time, the Aduana people returned to their desks and processed a bunch of truck drivers and myself with unprecedented efficiency, then went back on strike. I almost missed the whole thing, since I was out wandering around the little town trying to find something interesting to look at.

And then, of course, I ended up riding long after dark on sketchy roads trying to make up lost time--a resoundingly poor idea.

If you haven't already, it's worth asking around in your best humble and appreciative manner--you might find that similar, time-limited exceptions are being made. Truckers, taxi drivers, and people with nothing in particular to do except track rumors and local comings and goings are your best bet.

Otherwise, there are worse things in the world than drowning your sorrows in a tour to Torres del Paine.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

We just crossed from Tierra Del Fuego back up into Argentina during the strike. The Argentina side would have processed us through regardless of what the Chileans did. They did our TIP and all without us checking out of Chile. In the end a very grumpy Chilean Aduana cancelled our TIPs for our bikes. A smile and a please and thankyou help at times.