Michał

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LAS PIRCAS NEGRAS 🇦🇷 / 🇨🇱

28°04′S, 69°18′W

One of the best routes I’ve ever discovered… I’m driving, and driving, and driving, filled with sun-soaked enthusiasm, thinking how brilliant it is that I managed to steer the story of my life toward these few mystical days. Crossing this absolutely spectacular, cosmic and magical Argentine–Chilean border passage ;) turned out to be quite a challenge — mainly because the crossing happened to be closed ;) but since it was also kind of open, I didn’t think twice…

It took a bit over a week to sort out the illegal entry — a few rounds of negotiations and a small payment… but that’s the beauty of it! In the spirit of pragmatic humanism still found here on South American soil, the issue was resolved, and my expulsion from Argentina was conveniently paired with an express repatriation. And honestly — in terms of energy and the quality of the experience — no matter how it ended, it wouldn’t have changed much. You know this is one of those moments that are simply worth it!

The road to Paso de Pircas Negras runs through Chilean RUTAS C359/C33 (CHILE), partly in terrible condition but still passable, because it’s maintained for the needs of nearby border mines. Since this is one of the most scenic regions of the Andes, along the way you get spectacular volcanoes, deserts, sands, wild horses — all painted in a saturated yellow-orange palette.

After a set of exceptional switchbacks, the road climbs to 4175 m at the border point and, via the partially non-existent Ruta Nacional 76 on the Argentine side, leads through unbelievable detours toward Vinchina. The colour saturation of the mountains on this stretch is insane!

Two days, hundreds of kilometres of absolute emptiness — just space, energy, adrenaline, mountains, me, sunstroke or altitude sickness — honestly easy to confuse, similar symptoms ;) The night at altitude… rather one of the tough ones. Luckily the jeep, flawless this time, literally saved my life. The album is worth your attention — a pretty unique experience and valuable, because seeing all this in person is close to impossible.

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