We have suffered a bit of a setback in Patagonia this week, and it is with great sadness that we have had to cancel our Charity Andes Crossing to Chile Ride, scheduled for March 2011 in aid of the Countryside Alliance, due to reasons of 'force majeure'. We would like to thank all of our friends and supporters very much, for their interest in our ride, help with promotion, and add our apologies; all deposits have already been refunded to people who had signed up.

So why cancel? It turns out that the Patagonian 2010-11 Summer is a very special year in the Patagonian Lake District ... we are witnessing the early stages of the rare 'floración masiva', or mass flowering of our rife native bamboo species the Caña Colihue, which is a phenomena that happens only once every 20 years, or according to some scientists every 60 or 80 years! Once the plant's seeds have formed, in the caña jungle that is found in the majority of our national parkland, the local rat population increases to 5 to 10 times it's normal quantity, and they generally overrun the entire region. This is known as 'la ratada'!

Links for Spanish speakers: article and warning web article

Thus, with the expectation we have, or rather had, of such a beautiful and intimate experience for our Charity Ride being at risk, along with the potential exposure of our beloved clients to the fatal hantavirus carried by Patagonian rats, we absolutely cannot go ahead with our Andes Crossing Ride, appreciating the possible risks we could face in the process, which are way beyond both our control and comfort zone!

If in the future you would like to have the chance to ride from Argentina to Chile through the impressive Andes mountain range, exploring immense contrasting landscapes ... ancient pristine forest, hidden lagoons, hot springs, remote camps, pure Patagonian lakes and extraordinary volcanos, keep in touch. It is an absolute feast for the mind, body and soul as well as and the eyes!

≈ deep immersion in nature, extremely remote expedition, vast number of animal and plant species
≈ immensely beautiful and varied landscapes
≈ combinations of camping, refugios and very remote lodges
≈ optional activities other than riding e.g. fishing, hot springs, kayaking, white water rafting