Chalten to Rio Electrico and back

December 27, 2025

Strong wind from 12 onwards is forecasted, leaving the morning free. Meanwhile, patience is beginning to wear thin being based in one place, no matter how beautiful it is. Was in contact back and foreth on Whatsapp with La Rueda the boat navigation company in Villa O Higgins about reservation north. The earliest date for sailing that would suit me is next Saturday the 3rd Jan. There is also a convoluted online border-crossing documentation to get around, which was complex enough with the La Rueda agent doing it for me on the southbound crossing in early December.

I am starting to miss cycling and might well now the memory of the strong wind when I came here Sunday has faded, return back out to route 40 and cross into Chile further north via a straightforward road pass.

There remains one hike I'd like to do, though, which is perhaps a multi-day affair: a trail west along Rio Electrico to near the river's source Lago Electrico: a place called Piedra Fraile where there's camping. Then onwards along the south side of the lake to a point with a view of the southern icefield. Anyway, I didn't want to go today because of the strong wind later, so this morning choose a bike ride up 41, the Lago Desierto road to the bridge over Rio Electrico in the comparitively calm morning. Comparitive inasmuch as I'm able to ride with strong headwind already at 09, with gusts bringing me to a standstill on a few ocations

It was good though to be rolling and there's nothing I can do about the wind. The plan is a recon of the Rio Electrico trailhead which I reach in 2 hours where quite a few hikers are setting out with big backpacks for days away having been dropped off at the road.

I push the Kona a few hundred metres from the road along the trail over a loose scree riverbank which then turns away from the river into dwarf forest to an entrance cabin stating it is 90,000 pesos (£50) for a 3 day pass. I saw a few hikers continue along the edge of the river bypassing this point. Alternatively there is also looking at the map a linking trail from the Fitzroy trail meeting this trail a a little further on forgoing the need to pay.

I call this Waterleaf since its on a riverbank

I take a few photos and return with tailwind, stopping at a dramatic waterfall a few kilometres north of Chalten and then back in time for lunch at cafe beside the campsite which does specials: 26,000 (£14) for lentel stew and glass of wine. Unbeatable value. Easy afternoon until struggle with slow internet while writing up journal.

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	1
Comment on this entry	Comment	0