Cochrane

Welp we just arrived in Cochrane yesterday evening. After heading out of Villa O´Higgins we had planned to stay in Caleta Tortel for a couple of days, and after reaching Fjordo Michell on the second day, we crossed by ferry to the other side. Caleta Tortel is a small city of about 450 people situated on an inlet, maybe 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean? Something like that, but don´t quote me. Their original economy was based on fishing, but has since converted to logging. They cut Cypress trees and supply most of the south with wooden posts for the estancias on the pampa. The entire city lacks traditional roads and are connected completely by over 7 km of wooden planks. It is a very unique and intriguing place to visit. Upon arrival we met two cyclists headed out of the city, which as it turns out, one of them was from Seattle, Kirkland no doubt. The first Washatonian I´ve met on this trip. We spent two nights and almost two full days there in Tortel. We took lots of photos, so be sure and check those out. I´ll be posting those immediately after this entry.

After heading out of Tortel we made good time, and were able to ride nearly 55 km. From Tortel to Cochrane it was apparently about 115 km and by the end of the first day we had about 62 km left to get to Cochrane.

And so we rolled out of camp at about 11 am or so. It was a slow start, but we reached the other side of a steep climb and it was 4 pm. We figured we had about 22 km left but we were getting to Cochrane no matter what, so we pushed on. After climbing some more, and enduring the badly washboarded roads, we paused on a bridge and we only had 5 km to go. After making the final push, we kept riding and riding and after 5 km, no Cochrane. Not surprising that the distance sign was wrong. We´ve found that it is an all too common occurence in Chile and Argentina. We ended up having to push 10 more km than we thought we´d have to, but we arrived in Cochrane and after stopping at a gas station we were referred to Hosteria La Sureña. After snagging a couple of beds, we headed out for a Lomito, Papas Fritas and a couple of beers.

Now we´re here, enjoying the sun, biding our time before we head north to Cohayique. I guess that´s it. We´ve gone over 1600 km, which means we´ve surpassed 1000 miles. Thats pretty spectacular I think :P haha anyhow, I hope you enjoy the photos. Until next time, chao chao!


Zach