Cochrane

Hi everyone!

We found another opportunity to post pictures. We will soon head to the most remote aerea of our planned route. The next update will probably be from Argentina.

We are now in Cochrane after about 1200km. Exactly one month ago we arrived in Santiago.

Here s a map of what we ve done so far:

The pictures will tell the rest of the story. 

We left Coihaique very late on the 14th of November, but had to return the next day. My pedals were making more and more noise and the local bike repairer had to replace the part that connected my pedals. (pedaalas in dutch). Im not sure how and why it had to be replaced so soon, but the price was only 15000 pesos (25 euros), so I didnt ask too much questions. The sound was bad enough to backtrack 10km. I have lost pedals before and recognised the sound as a very very bad sign.

No more dense forests, almost pampa here.

We went for a short hike

We camped next to the river in El Blanco. Repairing the bike took some time, so we did only 45km that day.

It was cold, but not cold enough to shoot some stars. Does anyone know which other Galaxy this is?

Two Turky mums and about 35 little ones

We met Peter and Sabrina from Germany just before the top of the Ibanez pass, the highest  point of the Carretera, but only 1100 meters.

The downhill was fun

I gave Chilean cuisine another chance

Joachim earned 3000 pesos by proposing this guy to pump up his flat tire with his  bike pump

The pavement ended here and will not return for the next 600kms.

Perfect mirador 

Hmm, why dont we stay here for the night?

Deal! (Cerro Castillo in the background)

Best camping spot so far. And the rocks kept us warm all night.

This is how we woke up.

There were some strong headwinds in this valley, but we deserved it. So far only tailwinds on this trip.

Another great camping spot. Did laundry here and took a bath in the icecold river.

Lago General Carrera, the biggest lake of Chile

Very bad and dusty roads here

We camped in Purto Bertrand

And met our Austrian friends again together with Xavier from France (started in Ecuador 5 months ago) We havent met anyone who has been on the road for fewer time than we are. Most cyclists we meet started somewhere between Alaska and Peru.

Rio Baker.

Perfect river to build to build a dam on. But it would destroy the beautiful landscape. Patagonia Sin Represas!

Many cyclists ahead of us.

The future Patagonia National park, a National park in the making.

Herd of Guanacos. The park is also known as the Serengeti of  Patagonia

We camped here for two nigts.

But then headed to Cochrane, the weather changed.

Ibis. We see them every day. They sound like ducks.