Leaving San Pedro de Atacama
After an overnight pit stop in the desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, the remaining nine teams raced back to Calama airport to catch the first flight to Santiago.
Some of the teams made online reservations before going to the airport. Others stretched out to sleep on the floor until the ticket counters opened.
Flight to Puerto Montt, via Santiago
With the usual scramble to be first and get the earliest and fastest flight, the teams got on their LAN flights and flew to Santiago, the capital of Chile, where they changed planes for their destination in the southern part of the country, Puerto Montt (see map) in the Lake District.
Arriving in Puerto Montt, the teams had little time to do any sightseeing as they jumped into cars and headed off to their first clue.
Fish Farming at Metri
Puerto Montt is the capital of Region X, Los Lagos, the lakes, and is located on the Seno de Reloncaví. It's a departure point for many sightseeing attractions, but it is also a commercial center. The fishing port of Angelmó is only three km from the city center and has an excellent craft market.
In recognition of the city's importance as a fishing port, the teams are faced with a roadblock, a challenge only one of each team can undertake.
In this case, they go to Metri beach to a fish farm, where the challenge involves removing fish from one holding tank and moving them to another. It is exhausting work, and many are leery of handling live fish.
When all 80 fish are transferred, a clue appears on the bottom of the first tank.
The clue sends them to La Maquina on the road to Petrohué on the shores of Lago Todos los Santos, considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Chile.
On the way to La Maquina
Smelling of fish, the teams set off through town. Language difficulties and mispronouncing names, they manage to find their way out of the city and on to the highway.
They have no idea what La Maquina is and several teams lose their way and lose time.
Breathtaking Scenic Route
The road to Petrohué runs through scenic countryside, past farms, under the shadows of volcanos, along Lake Llanquihue and the Petrohué river.
On the 50 mile route to their destination, the teams get a bit of a breather to enjoy the spectacular views.
Petrohué is within the borders of Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, Chile's fist national park.
Under Osorno's peak, the teams race on
Osorno Volcano (2661m) rises high over Petrohué river and falls, a center for adventurous sports. Other volcanoes in the area are Puntiagudo (2490m) and Tronador (3460m).
The area around Petrohué is ideal for white water rafting, hiking, pull-flying or rope sliding, rapel and, kayaking, trekking, canyoning and other sports activities.
Petrohué river is a fast moving torrent spilling over rocks in a tumble of turqouise water.
The teams find a sign to La Maquina, which is a spot on the river where they find their next clue, which is a detour:
All the teams, even those afraid of water, opt for rafting.
It's an exhilarating choice, and even though one team members falls out of the raft, she's quickly pulled back in.
Even those who were afraid are thrilled with the ride and the experience.
Still some team members are still wet or in bathing suits, they race to be first at the elimination point on the shores of Lago Todos los Santos.
The elimination point is the black sand beach of Playa Petrohué, where one of the teams is eliminated.
Petrohué and Lago Todos los Santos are on the way to the Cruce de Lagos - Lake Crossing to and from Chile and Argentina which may be part of the next segment of the race.
Or could the teams be headed further south into Patagonia for Torres del Paine National Park?
Or are they headed for Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia, the end of the world??
We'll find out next time!
After an overnight pit stop in the desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, the remaining nine teams raced back to Calama airport to catch the first flight to Santiago.
Some of the teams made online reservations before going to the airport. Others stretched out to sleep on the floor until the ticket counters opened.
Flight to Puerto Montt, via Santiago
With the usual scramble to be first and get the earliest and fastest flight, the teams got on their LAN flights and flew to Santiago, the capital of Chile, where they changed planes for their destination in the southern part of the country, Puerto Montt (see map) in the Lake District.
Arriving in Puerto Montt, the teams had little time to do any sightseeing as they jumped into cars and headed off to their first clue.
Fish Farming at Metri
Puerto Montt is the capital of Region X, Los Lagos, the lakes, and is located on the Seno de Reloncaví. It's a departure point for many sightseeing attractions, but it is also a commercial center. The fishing port of Angelmó is only three km from the city center and has an excellent craft market.
In recognition of the city's importance as a fishing port, the teams are faced with a roadblock, a challenge only one of each team can undertake.
In this case, they go to Metri beach to a fish farm, where the challenge involves removing fish from one holding tank and moving them to another. It is exhausting work, and many are leery of handling live fish.
When all 80 fish are transferred, a clue appears on the bottom of the first tank.
The clue sends them to La Maquina on the road to Petrohué on the shores of Lago Todos los Santos, considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Chile.
On the way to La Maquina
Smelling of fish, the teams set off through town. Language difficulties and mispronouncing names, they manage to find their way out of the city and on to the highway.
They have no idea what La Maquina is and several teams lose their way and lose time.
Breathtaking Scenic Route
The road to Petrohué runs through scenic countryside, past farms, under the shadows of volcanos, along Lake Llanquihue and the Petrohué river.
On the 50 mile route to their destination, the teams get a bit of a breather to enjoy the spectacular views.
Petrohué is within the borders of Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, Chile's fist national park.
Under Osorno's peak, the teams race on
Osorno Volcano (2661m) rises high over Petrohué river and falls, a center for adventurous sports. Other volcanoes in the area are Puntiagudo (2490m) and Tronador (3460m).
The area around Petrohué is ideal for white water rafting, hiking, pull-flying or rope sliding, rapel and, kayaking, trekking, canyoning and other sports activities.
Petrohué river is a fast moving torrent spilling over rocks in a tumble of turqouise water.
The teams find a sign to La Maquina, which is a spot on the river where they find their next clue, which is a detour:
- Ascend a 40 ft rock climb and get half a clue at the top, then rapel down for the other half
- White water raft down category 3 and 4 rapids for a full clue
All the teams, even those afraid of water, opt for rafting.
It's an exhilarating choice, and even though one team members falls out of the raft, she's quickly pulled back in.
Even those who were afraid are thrilled with the ride and the experience.
Still some team members are still wet or in bathing suits, they race to be first at the elimination point on the shores of Lago Todos los Santos.
The elimination point is the black sand beach of Playa Petrohué, where one of the teams is eliminated.
Petrohué and Lago Todos los Santos are on the way to the Cruce de Lagos - Lake Crossing to and from Chile and Argentina which may be part of the next segment of the race.
Or could the teams be headed further south into Patagonia for Torres del Paine National Park?
Or are they headed for Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia, the end of the world??
We'll find out next time!
Source...