Chile to Argentina

Argentina/Chile Border

Our last post happened in Pucon, Chile on a rainy day. So far, I would have to say Pucon has been my favourite spot. It was a beautiful mountainous location with a touristy feel, but not in a cheesy souvenir kind of way. We checked out some hotsprings called Termas Los Pozones. These were a bit of a disappointment mainly because there were too many people and the water was dirty. There were quite a few termas around the area and Los Pozones boasts the lowest cost and natural pools under the starlight--but when it's bustling it seemed like just an overcrowded bathtub! Needless to say, we got out of there pretty fast and camped by a river that night. The next day turned out to be awesome and we hiked in a natural native araucaria forest.

Araucaria Forest

Our Volunteer Trail Guide

 This spot called El Canl is a spectacular sanctuary that was created by locals to deter logging interests in the area. I read a sign that said the trees were 200 million years old... I'm not sure how accurate that was, or if I missed something there, but I will admit I did feel like I was in Jurassic Park. We acquired another 4-legged friend that day for the entirety of the 6 hour hike who had soft spot for cows which resulted in some pretty angry beasts chasing us down a mountain and then baricaiding the exit. We ended up slipping past them through the barbed wire fence and thankfully they didn't charge after us!

The Blockade 

The Cow Loving Dog

At the Top with the Monkey Puzzle Trees

 After the hiking, decided we needed to search for another shower. It has been a bit of a task at times because some hostels aren't supper keen on car camping stragglers wandering in to just their facilities. However, The Tree House turned out be generous enough to help us out and we were able to fill up on water, plus I finally traded The Help at their book exchange. 

Volcano near Pucon

The next day we decided it was time to move on from Pucon, so after the most fresh, froshy, and tart lemonade I've ever had (at Cassis) we made for the hills on route to Argentina! We managed to get across the border with fifteen minutes left to spare before they closed for the night. They next day we made our way into civilization driving through Junin de Los Andes and San Martin. The latter town was much more exciting then the first with an undeniable European feel. I noticed it right away, looking at the buildings, and the items in the grocery stores: a lot of pasta, real coffee, and chocolate everywhere. As we kept driving, we started to dislike Argentina: no normal left hand turns, so many flies everywhere, and so much dirt. Finally, I suggested that the excessive dust everywhere might be ash from the nearby volcanoes in Chile...turns out it is.

Paddling Around the Ashy Mountains

 So much so, people had dusk masks on and it was impossible to make out any of the beautiful scenery around us.The next day we woke up to finish the trek to El Bolson and decided to hike the Cajon del Azul. The hike was nice, but the real superstar was the water--pristine, clear and amazing. There was a refugio at the top that Iain really loved. Basically a place for people to camp and eat with a great garden, sheep, and homemade beer. An old-timer built this place in the middle of nowhere in the 80's himself and it was a feat in itself having anything up there at all. It was made of natural timbers and the carpentry was unique and impressive.

Safety First?

The Glorious Water of Cajon del Azul