We continued on south after Futaleufu and officially hit the Carretera Austral! This is a road that links Puerto Montt in the north to Villa O'Higgins in the south, 1200 km of snaking road that is sometimes paved, sometimes gravel, and sometimes just crap.
We had had a bit of rain this morning (hence Jared in full rain garb), but luckily he had devised a red-neck rain shelter the night before in anticipation.
Here it is, in all its glory. Three wooden sticks and a tarp, with some rope and tent pegs. Classy.
This picture is actually from the next night, where we camped right next to the road. It was a sheltered sound, and we saw dolphins and seals come in close to the shore.
Some peaceful dolphin watching
Some beauty shots from the drive the next morning as we headed south. The Carretera Austral is so wild, and so beautiful, it makes you so happy just to drive bumpy washboard gravel.
Gringa (our wheels) handles it like a champ
Here is the start of a little morning hike we did- El Bosque Encantado (the Enchanted Forest). It really felt like the place where the fairies live. The moss all over the gnarly trees was too perfect.
Then after hiking for about an hour we emerged out into a massive glacier carved valley.
And just a wee bit more and this!
There were waterfalls throughout the bowl cascading down into this beautiful turquoise lake that only glaciers can make.
Walking back down. Don't know why I chose this pose.
Back on the road, headed to a real campground with hot showers. It's probably for the best you can't smell me in the pictures.
A mirador (viewpoint) along the road.
The next morning we drove down to a little town called Puerto Rio Tranquillo, the place to catch a boat tour of the marble caves and Capilla de Marmol (Marble Cathedral).
These caves are found on the edges of Lago General Carrera, and have been formed by millions of years of wind erosion. There are an estimated 5 billion tons of marble here! The results of the slow hands of time are absolutely stunning
The marble had a really interesting 'pock-marked' appearance to it.
A fantastic look at the San Rafael Glacier as we drove out.
Patagonia is amazing, no?!
Until Next Time!
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