Hello!
Turns out the start to my hike has been a little complicated. #whatrules
The first stretch is to walk from “The end of the world” in Ushuaia, Argentina to Punta Arenas, Chile.
Crossing borders
Unsurprisingly, you aren’t allowed to cross the Argentina-Chile border wherever you like… unless you prearrange it with boarder control with 60 days notice, not 6 (ops)!
Walking around the problem
1. Walking to the border
I have commenced the walk from my starting point as planned and recorded my hike to the border of Argentina which I’m not allowed to cross (let’s call this Point 1). Here I dropped off food cache #1, then backtracked back to the start.
2. Driving to the Chile side
I now drive all-the-way-around to Chile through an official boarder to get my passport stamped… we (see people thanked below) then continue to get as close possible to the Chile side of Point 1 (this is Point 2, a 3 day hike away from Point 1).
3. food cache drops
Here I drop off food cache #2… after dropping food cache #3 at the Kayak launch point. Which starts at Point 3
4. Link-hike back to the border (Chile side)
From Point 2, I hike to Point 1 approaching from Chile, again stopping at the border. Once I’m at Point 1, I pick up food cache #1 and restart my official hike by backtracking back to point 2.
5. HIGHLIGHT Kayaking the Strait of Magellan
On returning to point 2 I collect cache #2, then continue to to the Kayak section at Point 3 where I’m being met by some Chilean legends who will have all the Kayak gear and food for the Kayak leg for me.
Before leaving on the kayaks, I will collect food cache #3 which will feed me for the next hiking leg post Kayak ending roughly 300 km from the starting point in Punta Arenas.
THEN, photos for you all while no doubt eating the best meal of my life!
Sorry for the lack of photos – some are on facebook (internetfail) and the rest drowned in the ocean (see next post).
Track my progress here!
**People to thank
Ruben is my Couch Surfing host. Conveniently, he is also a tour operator who knows about rules.
For example;
I am not allowed into restricted national park areas due to regeneration programs… that put an end to my first route plan.
Then, he spent hours on the phone to border control and my kayak crew to rearrange the meeting date after being delayed!!
Then he found out where destinations for a new road have been set to make sure my passage is safe.
All the while, I’ve been staying at his house eating all his food! #sorrynotsorry
Angelica! Who you may have met already on my facebook page joined me for day 1 and started teaching me Spanish #essentialskill
20 comments
Lucy
Haha. Well as straight forward as it could be!! I’m really looking forward to the Kayak leg!!! 🙂
Lucy
<3 Dreaming of!
Lucy
Ahhh yes! I had my phone and beacon in a dry bag on the kayak… the waves got a little out of hand and we were separated. While my bag was making a break for Antarctica… I was on my way to San Isidro… We used my beacon to find the bag in the morning… Unfortunately my phone did not survive the swim… So now I am having a few logistic issues and am city-locked until I arrange a new phone!!
Until then, no email, no photos, no inet on the go, no Spanish lessons… grrrrr but…
GLAD YOU LIKE THE UPDATES!!! Everyday I walk, I send a message to the tracking map so keep an eye on it =)
Caroline Sommariva
You aced the challenges like a champ! Muy bueno mi amigo! Xx
colin
Lucy, what a start!!! I was wondering what was happening. Thank you for the update. A start like that will hopefully make you more resilient to the sometimes unforeseen adventures that await you.That was a crazy amount of organising you had to do. And what a wonderful find to stay with Ruben, sounds like a real lifesaver. Does he want to go for a walk with you? Good luck. it seems like you’re heading in the right direction now 🙂
Esther Ferraris
Hahaha! This is so you! “there’s a problem… I found a friend to help me out above and beyond what you could ever dream of… No more problems!”
Your the best Lou!
Emily Avery
Nice work chickola! Enjoy that food and couch time while you can!!
Lucy
Genevieve Walker
Sounds like you have a few solid plan Bs here- well played Barnard!!!
Kez Hayes
It’s all part of the adventure 😉
Lucy
Thanks!! Fingers crossed it all goes to plan!!
McPhan
Adaptability is one of your many strengths and will see you through your amazing journey
Alice Bidwell
Excellent, straightforward start to your walk, Lucy.
Jon Sommariva
Kicking ass! Very cool seeing the progress on the map. You have an amazing adventure ahead. Also enjoying the notes when you log in to your navigator. Keep ’em coming! BTW…what happened on the Kayak? Looks like you went a little downstream at the end there? Will keep an eye out for updates!
EXPLOSIONS, FEVERS, INFECTIONS, FLOODED EXITS, LOST FOOD AND A DIP IN ANTARCTIC WATERS – WOULDN’T START ANY OTHER WAY! • Tangles + Tail
[…] Why the delay? […]
Lucy
I know!! It’s crazy. I’m so lucky with how many wonderful people I meet!! Seriously.
Lucy
He does but he works far too much to join me!! Soooo many hurdles to beat – my next update will list them 🙂
Lucy
The inReach is the only tracking I have but as for pack lists, I’ll email you when I get to a town!!… on the 13th. But msg me to remind me!
fabiola
Hey girl! Hope youre doin ok – stay safe! xx
Gerard Stewart
Hi Lucy, Hope you are going well. In addition to your location is there anyway I can get access to the path you have taken. I wanna do updates at the team brief to show your progress!!
Also where can I get information on your pack list?
Good luck, stay safe!