Shaky Start to High Andes Adventure

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A shaky start to High Andes 2010

We have a group of adventurers, standing by as details are sorted out in Chile after the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami, that has wreaked havoc in the city of Conception and the surrounding area. There are still a lot of logistical challenges in front of us before we are on our moto’s and heading North, away from the destruction. How ever today there was a reported 6.2 earthquake in Antofagasta, in the North.
It is a blessing that Gerardo and family are all safe, as his two boys were in Valdivia, south of Conception and his daughter was on a flight to Antofagasta, in the North, the flight was diverted to Puerto Montt.
It will be interesting to see how much drama we will have, to get the motos out and onto the road.

On this adventure we have two couples and 3 blokes, plus Gerardo and me.
Vince and Jane Carmine are from Auckland and will be riding two up, on a BMW 800GS, this is the first one we have had on the High Andes, so it will be good to see how it goes.

Anne and Philip Munro are from Fairly, inland from Timaru, they will be driving our brand new ford double cab chase truck, which Gerardo will pick up in Santiago when he gets there.

Kit Robbins is from Katikati and he is riding a BMW 650 Dakar, the same as Gerardo rides.

Marcus Rufas, is from Hawera, so another Naki lad, he is riding a red Kawasaki 650 KLR.

Scott Moor, is from Auckland and is married to our daughter, Christine, and the father of our two little grand daughters, he is riding a blue Kawasaki 650 KLR, he is coming to help me pick up my black Kawasaki 650 KLR if I get into trouble……

Gerardo has huge logistical problems getting his Dakar up from Punta Arenus, but with a good bit of luck it will be there for him.

I am bloging this the night before I fly out (I hope) and at this stage Lan/Qantas are pretty much back on schedule, so heres hoping that the next blog will be from Vina del Mar.

At this stage we have no idea where the moto's are, except that they are still in our container, somewhere! For the first time we are shipping into San Antonio, which has not been affected by the past quakes.
With a heap of luck, the next blog will be from Vina del Mar, Chile.
until then, keep safe
un abrazo, Rosco

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Photos

Rosco and Scott
Team Kawasaki loaded, including Marcus's KLR

Logistics
Pit crew get it off the trailer

Vince and Jane
New BMW 800 GS

Kit
With his Dakar

BMW 800 GS
Brand new and ready to go

Scott
Looks a little apprehensive?

Contained
Motos ready to go

Comments

[Mauricio]

well done
well done boys, looking forward to follow another adventure. ride safe. Cheers.

[Steve Holford]

Good luck
Good luck guys have an awesome time you might have to do a bit of charity work while your over there

[su 'n' Dick]

Bon Voyage
Hi Rosco, All the very best from us non-adventurers in Dunedin. May you, Scott and your fellow travellers have a safe but adventure-filled time. Thinking of you and always enjoy your blogs. Su 'n' Doick

[Greg Robbins]

Go Hard
Hi Kit, Sorry I did not catch up before you left. We will be looking forward to keeping track of your trip. Is there a map on this blog which shows where you will be going etc?? Have great time, be safe and go hard. Greggo

[kit robbins]

missed the plane
In my endeavours to get it all right I managed to pull my sons passport out of the box instead of my own!!! eek. So, Hamish has me booked on the same flight tomorrow, Tuesday. Leaves and arrives at the same time. I shall presume someone will be able to pick me up. If not or there are other instructions can you plse let me know at my email address in the next 12 hours. i will go back home tonite and swap passports and shuttle back up tomorrw. My apologies for this.de

[David Lees]

Watch out for the rocks
Glad too see you are able too get underway. This trip is definately one for the 'Bucket List'. Wish I could be doing it again. Have a great time and watch out for rocks on the road. From the "Knead it kid".