Days 84 to 88 Punta Arenas and Across to Ushuaia!

Readers´s Digest Version ...
I can´t keep a secret ... WE MADE IT!

Markus and I arrived in Ushuaia on Jan 19th at around 10 15 am local time. After taking a few celebratory photos and shaking hands we promptly got back on our bikes and headed to the end of the Argentinean highway system, which is another 20 km down the road through the beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park. We arrived back again in Ushuaia and faced the daunting task of finding a vacant hostel (which we finally did).

The ride across Tierra del Fuego was not easy. However, at times it seemed as there was an invisible force driving us towards our destination. With courtesy that only the Swiss can provide it was pointed out that this invisible force actually has a name, it comes from the energy of the sun due to thermal imbalances and is called "Wind". Yes, thanks for pointing that out to me Markus! We faced winds up to 80 or 90 km/hr in wide open "pampa" (plains). The other challenges were finding some type of lodging and water sources.

The southern tip of Tierra del Fuego becomes quite mountainous and provided very scenic riding.

Here´s the "play by play" on how we blitzed Tierra del Fuego.

Day 84 (Jan 15). Punta Arenas to Camping Somewhere in Tierra del Fuego
We got off the ferry at around 6 30 pm and started riding for a few hours. We camped in the open plains with the protection of a slight hill which provided some protection as the wind picked up in the evening.

Total time 6 hrs 56 min (includes ferry), ride time 3 hrs 2 min, 60 km, elev gain 742 m, elev loss 667 m (all gravel road) .

Day 85 (Jan 16). Camping Somewhere in Tierra del Fuego to San Sebastián, Argentina
Today was the day of real WIND. Winds so strong pots, pans and small domestic animals were picked up by the wind. OK, exageratting a little but I assure you, sand grains hitting your face at 80 km/hr did hurt. We had tail winds of about 50 to 80 km/hr. Up to 90 km/hr maybe at times. It was a wild ride. Both our big Winnabegos (motor homes) went into the ditch this day. Markus´ big rig went down on a corner as a gust pushed him into loose gravel. I followed suit about 20 km later under similar circumstances. It was wild because we would actually be going about 30 km-hr and braking. Keep in mind this is a gravel road with twist and turns. Both of us escaped unscathed. First wipe out of the trip (felt like a goalie losing a shut-out late in the third period).

Oh yes, and I repaired a flat in this wind. Felt like a solar storm on Mars.

Total time 5 hrs 55 min, ride 3 hrs 56 min, 105 km, elev gain 985 m, elev loss 1,008 m. Average speed was 26.8 km/hr (which was close to a record high ... and on all gravel road ... and braking)

Day 86 (Jan 17). San Sebastián to Viamonte Ranch
Climatic conditions were favorable. The winds had died down. We were heading due south today and prevailing winds would have been "pure cross". Fortunately, it did not transpire.

The real story of today was the lodging at the working Viamonte Ranch (sheep mostly). This large ranch, built in 1902, provided us with a rustic shelter. The first cabin they provided us housed a dead cat in which we literally shovelled out. The odor still didn´t go away. Fortunately, the "Ranch Boss" gave us another abandoned cabin to stay it. It had a nice wood-burning stove in which we used for warmth and cooking. Had a good chat with some of the ranch hands (actually students from Buenos Aires).

Total time 6 hrs 34 min, ride 5 hrs 14 min, 122 km, elevation gain 406 m, elevation loss 406 m.

Day 87 (Jan 18). Viamonte Ranch to Haruwen Refugio (Cabin)
The terrain started to change as we reached the foothills of the mountains in the south of Tierra del Fuego. The weather was great but we had to head west, directly into the prevailing winds which fortunately were not as strong due to the cover of mountains and trees.

We found a cabin which was available for rent in which no other travellers occupied. Just as we were ready to pitch our tent we came across this place. Hey, for $10 bucks who´s going to pass it up?

Today was tough by the way as it served up a lot of climbing. We wanted to make sure that the final destination was a slam dunk for the next day. With that said ... nothing is a slam dunk in this part of the world. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is what you give Mother Nature. Otherwise, the score will always be 1 to nil (and not in your favor).

Total time 9 hrs 4 min, ride time 6 hrs 57 min, 137 km, elevation gain 1,321 m, elev loss 1,190 m.

Day 88 (Jan 19). Haruwen Refugio (Cabin) to Ushuaia
We got very lucky with the weather. It was a beautiful day which made the riding extremely pleasant. We were only 35 km out of Ushuaia. However, we "rode past" Ushuaia for another 20 km (or so) to where all other cyclist finish their rides, which is the end of the Argentinean highway system (the farthest point south in Argentina). This last 20 km is mostly through the Tierra del Fuego National Park (you´ll see the photos).

It is only the southern-most region of Tierra del Fuego in which there are mountains and glaciers. The northern part is wide open plains.

Total time 6 hrs 44 min, ride time 4 hrs 55 min, 86 km, elevation gain 1,072 m, elev loss 1,124 m.

Coming Up ...
Things like getting caught up on personal hygeine. Washing clothes. Maybe some trekking. My trekking buddy Tim Pitt from the UK is in town. I am trying to track that tough bloke down!

SOME of the BIGGEST and BEST SURPRISES of the TRIP
... The biggest and best surprise by far was having so many people travel with me and keep me company! It was HUGE fun having so many people along (fun-factor hovering between 10 and 11 ... out of 10). It was a huge honor for me to have your attention. I graciously and humbly thank you. I loved reading all of your comments and e-mails.
... Another big surprise was that silly chro-moly framed bike, racks, 35 mm tires, panniers and components withstanding some SERIOUS abuse.

Total Distance ...
And the wheels stopped rolling at 6,906 km. More than expected due to some serious zig-zagging between Chile and Argentina.

Photos ...
I downloaded about 35 photos ... I hope that you like them.

www.picasaweb.google.com/darryl.mekechuk

PS.
I will be visiting the blog and posting again shortly.

PPS.
I can also be reached at darryl_mekechuk@hotmail.com