Ellis does South America

I had forgotten to update the blog.
Sadly, this trip had to be postponed due to economy/work reasons.
I will re-schedule it for 2009.

This list will be updated on the go.

Basics: (9lbs)
Backpack: NorthFace Catalyst 65
Tent: Mountain Hardware Sprite 1
Sleeping bag: Northface ?? -10C
Stove: TBA
Water Treatment: TBA
Trekking Poles x 2

Media: (+/- 12lbs)
Photo: Nikon D80 (18-135mm, 50mm f/1.8)
Video: Sony's HDR-SR11 Handycam® (Tentative)
Laptop: Considering a Mac Air

Clothing: (+/-5lbs including worn items)
Mountain Hardware Sub Zero
Marmot Phantom Jacket
North Face Light Jacket
REI hiking pants x 2
Royal Robbins Coolmax T-Shirts x 2
North Face Moisture Wick long sleeve x 1
Patagonia long under wear x 1
Trekking Underwear and Socks x 3

Food: TBA

I have completed the first draft itinerary for the winter trip south:

* [30 Dec 2008] New York, USA
* [30 Dec 2008 - 31 Dec 2008] Santiago, Chile
* [31 Dec 2008 - 01 Jan 2009] Punta Arenas, Chile
* [01 Jan 2009 - 03 Jan 2009] Ushuaia, Argentina
* [03 Jan 2009 - 04 Jan 2009] Punta Arenas, Chile
* [04 Jan 2009 - 05 Jan 2009] Puerto Natales, Chile
* [05 Jan 2009 - 13 Jan 2009] Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine, Chile
* [13 Jan 2009] Puerto Natales, Chile
* [13 Jan 2009 - 14 Jan 2009] El Calafate, Argentina
* [16 Jan 2009 - 18 Jan 2009] Buenos Aires, Argentina
* [18 Jan 2009] New York, USA

Because I have to be back by the 19th of January, I may have to polish it a little. The return from Buenos Aires may be a bit risky, as the bus ride from El Calafate to Buenos Aires is a good 44 hours ride across the pampas, and you just never know what can happen in such a long stretch.

That could mean that the 133km trek of the Paine Circuit may be cut to 6 days instead of 8. I have the option of just doing the lower half of the circuit in 3-4 days, but then I will miss the glacier views of the John Garner pass...no no no!
Can't do that! I'll walk faster!!...

Other things to consider are the holidays as I will be traveling during New Year...oh well..it is still just a draft

On the bright side, I got the transportation cost down, and it seems quite affordable:

Punta Arenas -> Ushuaia: USD$22.00 (OW) 11 hours = USD$44.00
Punta Arenas -> Puerto Natales: USD$4.00 (OW) 3 hours = USD$4.00
Puerto Natales -> Torres del Paine: USD$8.00 (OW) 3 hours = USD$16.00
Puerto Natales -> El Calafate: USD$15.00 (OW) 5 hours = USD$15.00
El Calafate -> Buenos Aires: USD$46.00 (OW) 44 hours = USD$46.00
Total: USD$125.00 !!!

The ticket from NY to Punta Arenas, and Buenos Aires to NY should be covered with the milleage...I hope...If so, this will be a darn cheap trip as I will just stay in hostels and camping throught out the circuit!

First Draft completed.

Almost three years have passed since my last trip to India and Nepal.

Every passing day during this time, enlarge the void I keep feeling within me, and the need for another epic trip. I have tried to look for possible destinations such as, overcrowded Alaska, South East Asia, North Africa, Middle East and the Balkans or the Aegean Sea. Then, I remembered some old conversations with my Argentinean friends in Tokyo...Patagonia!

Argentina and Chile have always been in my list of places to go, not only because of the awesome wine :D, but because of the fantastic untouched landscape. So the wheels started turning. I bought maps, books, researched on visa requirements, etc. Things were falling into place as I researched...then...a couple of screws went loose in my head, and an odd thought came across my neural fibers...if you can do two countries in one trip, why not 13?!! A motorcycle ride from NYC to Chile/Argentina...yep...I have officially gone crazy... 12,000+ km of madness...

The first stage of this plan. Since I have some mileage accumulated, I will first go to Chile and Argentina, and get a better feel of how the Andes are, and what I am trying to tap here. At the present time, the plans are to visit the Patagonia sometime in the winter of 2008/2009. Couple of weeks to trek Torres del Paine, Glaciares, and the western border of Argentina; from Santiago, to Punta Arenas, then to Ushuaia and up to Buenos Aires by any means. Two weeks of Ellis' style of travel!!

From here, I will perhaps get the inspiration or a good idea to see if the bike ride south is a feasible adventure...did I mention this must be done in a month and a half? We'll see, that would be my last trip of such magnitude (or so I keep telling myself). It will require a lot of planning and $ for the shipping of the bike back, but it would be the craziest and most amazing thing I have ever done. Therefore, do not expect stage two to happen any time soon.

See the itinerary of this trip, and details about each destination.

Let the adventure begin!

Until next time…