Radioman Rides the World.......

[InTheMuck]

You are truly an inspiration Mark! I've been following this RR for a while, and each time I catch up I feel more committed to doing something (even a little bit) similar myself. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey!!

- Bryan

[Radioman]

Next morning I awoke to a beautiful but almost surreal sight. Mt Fitz Roy just over the hill from town.



I had talked to the owner in of the Pasado where I stayed and he said if it is clear, take the walk to Cerro Torre. It was a 11 KM walk up then 11Km walk back. I head out at 8AM, planning to enjoy the hike into this beautiful area.



I continue hiking into the mountains. Was great to just see the views of the mountains, plants, birds and enjoy the silence and peacefulness of the trail. I used to hike and climb a great deal in my youth, so this was great for me!



Lots of rocky mountains...



As I arrive to the first "Mirador" the clouds are sweeping about Mt Fitz Roy



And I see Cerro Torres in the clouds as well.



Lots of gnarled and windblown trees



Southern Beech trees with vivid green leaves



I continue up the trail and enjoy the views ....



Up and down the trail that takes through the forest and woods closer to the spectacular views of the mountains.



Huge valley on the way in....



As I get closer to Cerro Torres the clouds seem to be building, and the owner said if gets cloudy head for the main trail to Fitz Roy. I check my map and find a trail that passes two lakes and conects to the main trail..... Off I walk. I have a great anticipation of what I will be seeing close up.



Up up and over the hills I go





Camo Frogs along the way



Trail along the lake starts to show me a totally different view of the mountains.





I join the main trail for the steeper hike up to the Tres Largo at the base of My Fitz Roy

Have to cross over a few rivers





Enjoying the smell fo the surrounding mountains. Lots to see here.





And the hike up further, not for the weak of heart!!






after a couple hour hike up the very steep and strenuous trail. The reward!!





Wahoooo! (thanks to a fellow traveler, Brianna and Sedale... got another cool jumping photo)



It is a amazing place to just sit and take in.













As I hike out the trail, I meet another hike Named Drew from Boston. really great guy on a bit of a sabatical from work traveling here. We ended up meeting later for dinner and found out that His Dad is Ray, one of the Car Talk guys. I was just telling young James about them in Ushuaia.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/tom-a...-bios-photos-1

But the visa on the way out were amazing!







Ate a really great dinner here.



I stayed in this little place. The view that afternoon was great!



Was a long day of hiking .... good solid 9 hours and I hiked about 30KM. It was truly amazing!!

[Ladybug0048]

WOW, what a beautiful day you had.

[oregoncoast]

Very nice hike...photos reminded me of Iceberg Lake in Glacier.






Keep it coming Mark, keep it coming!

[livetosail]

Awesome stuff, Mark. Glad you had a chance to spread your legs and get off the bike for a bit. Looked like an amazing hike.

Stay safe.

[Creeker747]

Brovo Nic pics, WOW what a spectacular world we live in..................... Not sure if you've been asked this or not, but are you planning on seeing the Dakar Race finish in Santiago on the 19th? Or, just a coincidence both the race and you are heading towards eachother?

Take Care

[beemerron]

[Then you see things being carried on bikes. How would this go over in the states?


Just catching up. KLR?

[DRRambler]

What a wonderful hike! I'd love to be there right now.

[KYMike]

That's got to be one of your best jump photos yet!

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Creeker747

Not sure if you've been asked this or not, but are you planning on seeing the Dakar Race finish in Santiago on the 19th? Or, just a coincidence both the race and you are heading towards each other?

I will actually be heading east in a few days to Buenos Aires ..... Will miss the Dakar but have some things to get sorted out for the next leg of my trip!

[bg]

Love the hike pictures! Amazing shots and scenery.

[Radioman]

Left El Chalten on a beautiful morning.



Leaving Mt Fitz Roy behind.





Left at 7am so that I could meet up with "youngest" Ollie so that we could ride up the Windy, gravelly Ruta 40. He is an 18 year old British guy who is in his "Gap Year" before University. He decided to do something very different from his friends typical Gap year, party in Asia and Ride a motorcycle Ushuaia to Alaska on his own. Also added riding it to raise awareness and money for Fisher House Which is a charity that helps families of injured service Men.

Charity website is:
www.fisherhouseuk.org

If so inclined go to Ollies Facebook page and "like it"

www.facebook.com/olliesodyssey

and his own web page: www.olliesodyssey.org.uk

He has only had his moto License for 4 months and not much riding time. So he is learning by doing And riding the long places on Ruta 40 as a starting point is not easy! He is riding a Yamaha Tenere 660

We rolled through Tres Largo, and kept heading north. He was doing really well although he said all he could do was stay focused on the ride, no sightseeing

We came off a bit of Tarmac and it was deep rutted with some big loose gravel on the ridges. I look back.... and he had gotten into the heavy stuff. Had to come back and take the photo and help him lift the bike, couple German tourists in a car also stopped to help.



He is fine, not hurt And the bike was fine as well. Just a few scratches and a hole in his small metal gas can. encouraged him, that we all have taken a get off, to take a few minutes and relax. But of course the confidence is shaken But back on the horse and kept riding. Few Pep talks along the way and we rode about 600KM all the way up to Chile Chico.

Some beautiful scenery along the way...



Then crossing out of Argentina and into Chile. Told him to check his paperwork closely, and sure enough they had something wrong. Back into the Aduana for the to get it fixed. Better to get it right at the time it happens.



When we arrived in Chile Chico, there were some amazing clouds!!





The sunset colors were unreal....



We had some fairly heavy winds coming up the Ruta 40, but the sun was out! Having ridden down just 1 1/2 months ago I was amazed how the road had changed, some worse, some better.

Was looking forward to being back in the beautiful Caraterra Austral.

[einnocent]

IMG_0902 by einnocent, on Flickr

Took this a day or two ago. Now I'm in Rio Gallegos, headed south. Safe travels!

[KeithTurk]

What do you have for footwear for all this treking and lounging around? What are you wearing when you ride? Does it differ day to day?

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by einnocent

IMG_0902 by einnocent, on Flickr

Took this a day or two ago. Now I'm in Rio Gallegos, headed south. Safe travels!

Love it. Note : radioman Sticker on the 999 Sign!! Ride safe!