The Road to Santa Maria Beats us all

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Finally the road from Andalgala to Santa Maria has beaten Rosco's Rocky Road Adventurers.

We left Andalgala, heading up to Minas Capallitas at 3100m up above the clouds.
The road going up was under repair from the recent rains, so it was in good condition, but we could see the damage that had been caused.

Once we reached the Hotel and had some coffee, we put on our hard hats and headed for the mine.
It was a long steady climb up to the shaft opening, but with many stops to catch our breath, and admire the view and the wild herbs and flowers along the way.
We passed an ancient cemetery and old mining camp ruins along the way. On reaching the mine itself, we were led into the darkness, only lighting our way with the small headlamps that were supplied, we ventured quite far in and the temperature dropped accordingly.
We were able to see the vein of the rear Rodocrosita, and when it is cut out of the vein, cut and polished, it becomes known as the 'Rosa del Inca'

On our return from the mine, at around 3.30pm, I was informed that our truck could not pass along our intended route to Santa Maria, only the motos I was told, could pass, as the rains and volume of water in the past week had made the road impassable for vehicles.
This now became a major problem, as the truck would have to back track down the mountain to Andalgala, then back to Belen and up Ruta 40 to Santa Maria, about a 300km back track.
The decision was made that the motos would go through and Bill and I would go back the long way.
At 4.00 pm we said farewell to motos and headed back down the mountain.

The rest of the group continued on the original route towards Santa Maria, but were finding the conditions extremely challenging and the further they went the worse it got.
They eventually got to impassable deep washouts and by now it was 5.30 pm, and a decision was made to turn back, as otherwise they would be caught out in darkness and not knowing weather they could get out as they could not continue.
Robin's BMW 800 GS, was starting to develop a slipping clutch, so Diane went with Alan as they all retraced the road back over the mountain.
At the top of the mountain, String got a puncture, but team Baz was soon on the case and they were all back on the road as darkness was descending on the weary group, Robin's clutch became non exsistant.

It was now dark and Paul finished up towing Robin for 14 kms, back to Andalgala. At this time, Bill and I were at the YPF (gas station) grabbing gas and a coffee, when I got a text from Paul, informing me of their predicament.

The decision was made that they all sleep in Andalgala and Bill and I will stay in Belen and we would all meet up in Belen the next day. Bugger, what a day that turned out to be.
By the time Bill and I ate it was after mid night before we got to bed in our Hotel.

The next morning I was woken by a text at 7.30am, that Paul and Robin are leaving, as they had somehow got some clutch back on the BMW, the others left soon after 8.00am
By 10.00 am we were all together again, facing about a 500 km ride to Salta.
We all arrived in Salta between 7.00 and 7.45 in drizzily rain and darkness, all tired, but happy to be here.

Tomorrow we head to San Antonio de Los Cobres at 4000m, then onto San Pedro de Atacama.
So until the next update.....
un abrazo,
Rosco

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