Ruta 7
Building a road through this part of Patagonia would be ridiculous. But that’s what Chilean dictator Augusto Pincochet decided to do, to connect isolated Patagonian pueblitos with the rest of the republic. Before the Carretera Austral, the only vehicle access to the dispersed communities of Chilean Patagonia was via Argentina. Have a look at a map of Chile and you will see why; in this southern stretch, the country breaks up into islands, fjords, and is peppered with glaciers and volcanoes.
For twelve years they laboured, building 100km annually. A kilometer every three or four days; that’s not bad, with limited machinery. And it’s all on the Chilean side of the frontier too (since relations with the Argentine neighbours were a little strained). Today the Ruta 7 crosses 1240km of rural Chilean Patagonia, and most is still unpaved. And that’s where I am heading for the next few weeks.
Wikipedia: Carretera Austral (English)
Wikipedia: Carretera Austral (Spanish; and more detailed!)
On Wednesday I begin an exploration of this remote part of Chile. When I have internet access I will keep you updated with my progress here: Journey on the Carretera Austral.
And I will refer to the place names on this Carretera Austral Map, so you can see where I am.
