In Search of Warmth in California, Utah, and Arizona in February (page 12 of 13)

And you find time to work with that schedule? 😛

Well yeah, yesterday and today, I planned a 12-day sightseeing and hiking trip for my dad in Ardèche and the Vercors 😛...

On the other hand, it seems to me you're breaking a lot of rules on this trip—"great example for the kids," as another forum member might say 😎

Yeah, you're right, Vinciane—I feel a little guilty 🤪... But it's so tempting when you see on a map that it's possible to mix things up and get off the beaten path...

Actually, it was you... and the desire to see the West in winter that drew me in 😉.

I’d definitely like to go back, let’s say in the medium term, but in winter. My dream is to see Monument Valley under snow and go snowshoeing in Yellowstone 😛

I’m between Scherwiller and Lapoutroie, so I know the area. As for tarte flambée, I’m pretty traditional: plain or with cheese 😏 You could make a detour to Darwin in Chatenois—they’re pretty good there.

A +

Jef

You could make a detour to Darwin in Chatenois, they’re pretty good there.

Thanks for the tip, we’ll give it a try next time 😉!

Hello Guillaume

the NOA route, wilder than Peru 😛, and still free from mass tourism... But it won’t last! And since we’ll be doing a self-drive,

Were you able to find a "reliable" rental company? That’s one of the issues in the area 🤪

Are you planning to go all the way to Chile? Paso Sico and others?

Cheers,

Jef

And were you able to find a "reliable" rental company? That’s one of the issues in this sector

For now, I only have this link, where I found half a dozen agencies that rent real 4x4s: http://www.arodarrentacar.com.ar/ https://www.activarentacar.com/ http://www.rentacarensalta.com/ http://www.andarsalta.com.ar/web/index/flota/ http://www.andinacarrental.com.ar/ http://www.wcrrentacar.com/

But as for reliability, I don’t know... I’ll start a thread about their reliability and do some more digging, since it’s a must for committing to such an adventure...

No plans to venture into Chile—the three weeks are already packed without even diving deep into the possible hikes around Salta, and with only two travel journals read plus some Google Earth research. Later!

I’ll be following this with great interest! 🙂

Argentina doesn’t have a great reputation when it comes to rental vehicles 😮.

When we were in Patagonia, we rented in Chile with papers that allowed us to cross the border. Plus, Chile was significantly cheaper for border crossings.

By the way, what about Namibia...? I thought it was in the pipeline for 2020 😛. Oh right, you're waiting for my return to see if I survived... 😕😏.

By the way, what about Namibia...? I thought it was in the pipeline for 2020 😛. Oh right, you're waiting for my return to see if I survived... 😕😏.

Namibia was my first choice, but after consulting influential family members (the kind who work a lot and haven’t seen any saguaros this winter 😛), some want to switch continents and not do two trips in a row in Southern Africa. I did tell them that South Africa and Namibia have absolutely nothing in common in terms of landscapes and vibe, but oh well... She’d rather discover South America, and since her wishes are my command... 😛 I’m playing it cool for now 😏.

The final decision will depend on ticket prices. Two months ago, flights to Argentina were 550 € from Nice, but now they’re back up to 850 €. We’ll have to keep an eye out for good deals. At least for Namibia, it’s simple: flights are always expensive, at 900 € each... 🤪 So for 5 of us...

She’d rather explore South America, and since her wishes are my command... 😛 I’m playing it cool for now 😏.

Someone once told me, "What a woman wants, God wants." I was skeptical, but maybe it’s true 😏.

The final decision will depend on flight prices. Two months ago, tickets to Argentina were 550 € from Nice, but now they’re back up to 850 €. We’ll have to watch for good deals. At least for Namibia, it’s simple: flights are always expensive, at 900 € each... 🤪 So for 5 people...

Yeah, with 5 people, the costs add up fast 🙁. 550 € for Latin America? That’s not too bad—I’m looking at Peru, and there’s hardly anything under 900–1000 €. For Namibia, we couldn’t find anything for August under 1100 € 😕. Maybe July is a bit cheaper... Ugh, planning these vacations is such a headache 😇.

Thanks for this fascinating account—I followed it with a bit of a delay after it was written. After my first trip to the West in Oregon last year, I’m heading back in a few days, and your travel journal (along with your previous ones) has been really helpful in my planning. I mostly focused on the first few days, which overlap with some of what I’ve got planned to see.

Michel

Safe travels, Michel !!!! 🙂

Have a nice trip Michel

SONIA

Thanks Michel. Enjoy yourself—you’re so lucky to be able to go at the best time! 🙂 !

Hi Guillaume, I just found your travel journal, and of course I’m super interested because in September/October we’ll be passing through Death Valley—and White Domes too, I’m taking notes ;)! That family enthusiasm is always contagious. Gotta get back to reading now!

Hi Guillaume,

I’ve been swamped with work lately...

then finalize the NOA route, wilder than Peru 😛, and still free from mass tourism... But it won’t last!

In places like that, mass tourism has very little chance of developing: - very few accommodation options, - just landscapes to look at, and if you don’t speak Spanish, well, it’s almost worse than in Turkey when you don’t speak Turkish! - the Chinese haven’t invaded Argentina yet...

And since we’ll be self-driving, we’d better not get lost in the Puna at 3,500–4,000m. Otherwise, no travel journal... and I won’t be able to convince you to go there too 😉!

Tttttut... You don’t get lost in the Puna... There are no roads (just tracks)!!! And actually, the Puna is between 3,500 and 5,000m, but watch out for Google—some real tracks aren’t marked!! So it’s really hard to estimate real distances! That’s why it’s best to fill up the tank.

For now, I only have this link, where I found half a dozen agencies that rent real 4x4s

Once you’ve filled out all the forms and they’ve sent you the prices, I’d be really curious to hear about them, and especially whether they accept credit cards and if you’re allowed to take the vehicles on the tracks!!

The final choice will depend on flight prices. Two months ago, tickets to Argentina were 550 € from Nice, but now they’re back up to 850 €. We’ll have to watch for good deals.

Flight tickets to Argentina for 550 €!!!!!!!! Which airline?

The NOA has the advantage of being at lower altitudes, so less freezing wind, less cold, and a slightly lower risk of AMS. Plus, except in Antofalla, they make an effort to heat the rooms, even if it doesn’t replace buying expensive -20°C comfort sleeping bags for safety reasons (in case of mechanical breakdown).

I’ve never bought a -20°C comfort sleeping bag just in case!!!! We had old, basic sleeping bags bought at Walmart in Mendoza. They were more than enough, even in Antofalla where the temperature was around -14°C at night.

In August, temperatures are quite manageable, around 0°C during the day, 😉 at 4,000m! The wind is the biggest problem!!😊 Be careful—it’s not all of the NOA that’s at lower altitudes; many passes exceed 4,500m. It’s mainly the accommodations that are at lower altitudes!!!😄 And that’s great for ensuring better nights of sleep!

Also, I forgot... The main reason is that Diamina advised me to do it this way so the kids can acclimatize gradually to high altitudes... and I’m going to follow her expert advice 😉!

I’m no expert at all!!!! 😇I’m not even an expert on Martinique, can you imagine!!!😏 The Argentine Puna, with its pumice stone fields, the Galan Volcano and its Laguna Diamante, the Antofalla salt flat—it’s every bit as stunning as the southern Lipez region!

Do you speak Spanish?

Have a great trip to Lesotho. Is that right?

Hi Didier, Yeah, I saw you’re about to head out again for like the tenth time! Happy reading! 🙂

Hi Diamina,

Tttttut.... You don’t get lost in the puna.... There are no roads (tracks) like that!!! And actually, the puna is between 3,500 and 5,000 m, but watch out for Google—real tracks aren’t marked there!!

I know people who prefer driving next to the track rather than ON it 😛! Apparently, it shakes less... All the traces for the 10 days in the Puna are already ready. I don’t use Google Maps, which doesn’t seem very reliable, but only Google Earth to spot the tracks, and Maps to confirm. Then I transfer them to OSM maps, which are just as reliable as GE and Maps. Dozens of hours of prep to feel at ease once there, at least on that level. For mechanics and fuel, that’s another story. A huge THANK YOU, by the way, for your two travel journals—they’re an invaluable help for prep 😇!

So it’s really hard to estimate real distances! So it’s better to plan a well-filled tank.

With the planned days in Tolar Grande, Antofalla, and Antofagasta, that’ll be 950 km without a gas pump—we’ll fill up on nafta from locals (you see, I’ve already learned the lesson...😄). We’ll need 2-3 jerry cans.

Once you’ve filled out all the forms and they’ve sent you the prices, I’d be really curious to hear about it, and especially if they accept credit cards, and if you’re allowed to go on the tracks with the rental!!

Now you’re making me a little nervous... We’ll need to find the rental company before buying the tickets, and I’ll keep you posted.

Tickets to Argentina for 550 €!!!!!!!! Which airline?

Lufthansa flight from Nice to Buenos Aires, Thursday 11/07 to Saturday 03/08, barely more expensive with a Friday departure! The deal lasted 15 days in March, then prices went back to normal 😕 We’ll look for departures from Barcelona instead.

It was more than enough, even in Antofalla where the temperature was around -14°C at night.

If we can settle for a cozy -12°C, our wallet will thank you!

Be careful, not all of the NOA is at lower altitudes—many passes exceed 4,500m

Yeah, I saw that. For the first time, in my itinerary table, I’ve included the min and max altitudes for each day. It’s quite the rollercoaster: for example, the Tuzgle volcano at 5,330 m, the pass to the gold mountain and Laguna Diamante at over 5,000, or even Mina Julia at over 5,000 m! By the way, Mina Julia still doesn’t seem accessible—the last 7 km have been snowed in since your 2016 attempt!! On Google Earth, you can even see a big pile of shoveled snow 😛😏!

The Argentine puna, with the campo de piedras pomes, el volcán galán and its laguna diamante, and its salar de Antofalla, has nothing to envy the southern Lipez—it’s the main thing!!

Uhhh... Campo de Piedra Gomes and Salar de Antofalla, I’ll take your word for it... But Volcán Galán and its Laguna Diamante? I have a small, or rather a big, doubt 😉. It seems to me you compensated the guide so he wouldn’t say you didn’t go, and he even charged you for 2 nice jerry cans of fuel 😏!! Unless I missed an episode...

Do you speak Spanish?

Maxime speaks a little, and I’m going to do a year of intensive training because I don’t know any at all—except for La Liga soccer matches! And it seems more than essential in those areas off the tourist highways. Have a great day.

Hey, if you’ve started a thread about this, point me to it so we can keep chatting about Argentina outside of your West USA travel journal... that said, I had way fewer mishaps there than you did in the US in winter!!!

I know some people who’d rather drive next to the track than ON it 😛! Apparently, it shakes less...

I know some who’ve read my travel journal well... That said, we were driving on the track because the paved road was so full of potholes it was unbearable. But the track ran parallel to what was left of the paved road. Maybe the road’s been redone since—roadworks were underway when we passed!

A huge THANK YOU, by the way, for your two travel journals—they’re an invaluable help for prep !

You’re welcome... back then, a certain Max was supposed to go!!!!! I wrote the journal thinking of those who were leaving soon after...

With the planned days in Tolar Grande, Antofalla, and Antofagasta, that’ll be 950 km without a gas pump, so we’ll fill up on *nafta* from locals (see, I’ve already learned the lesson... ). We’ll need 2-3 jerry cans.

Why? There’s a woman who sells gas in Tolar Grande, and there’s a gas station and a man selling gas in Antofagasta de la Sierra. I think filling up with these folks has an unmatched folkloric vibe! 2 jerry cans for safety is good. Olivier 13031 talks about it here.

This worries me a bit... We’ll need to find the rental company before buying the tickets, and I’ll keep you posted.

Oh no, don’t worry!!!! Things change fast in Argentina, so I’m just curious.

You’re lucky—in France, there are tons of airlines to choose from. In Martinique, it’s American Airlines with a layover in Miami, or a bunch of flights via Barbados...

If we can settle for -12°C comfort, our wallet will thank you!

Yeah, and honestly, I have no idea how warm the sleeping bags we bought were, but they were *super* low-end. You know Walmarts in the US? Well, imagine something way worse—that’s Mendoza’s version!!!

By the way, Mina Julia still doesn’t seem accessible—the last 7 km are still snowed in since your 2016 attempt! On Google Earth, you can even see a huge pile of shoveled snow 😛!

All the more reason for you to go!!!! No way we should be the only ones to get stuck in a snowdrift!!!!! But honestly, I’d rather be snowed in *in* a car than on foot with an innocent kid on my back!!!! But we do have one thing in common—we’re both great at finding trouble! Anyway, I’m heading back to Chile at the end of July, and I *really* hope to visit Nevado Tres Cruces Park near the Argentine border. I haven’t planned anything yet... just the tickets are bought.

But Volcán Galán and its Laguna Diamante—I have a small, or rather a *big* doubt 😉. It seems like you paid off the guide so he wouldn’t say you didn’t go, and he even charged you for 2 nice jerry cans of gas !! Unless I missed an episode...

For a second, I thought about letting you figure it out.... Even if we didn’t go, I’ve seen photos, and I can confirm that Olivier 30130 went with guide Horacio. Check out message 25!!!

That’s the main reason I’d go back!! Maybe this year, who knows? I haven’t planned my 3-week itinerary yet.

Maxime speaks a little, and I’ll do a year of intensive training since I don’t know any Spanish at all—except for La Liga soccer matches! And it seems *more* than essential in those off-the-tourist-highway spots.

That’ll motivate you to improve fast. Think it’s easier than Turkish???????? 😛

See you soon!

Hey there, musician! 🙂

You're welcome... back then, a certain Max was supposed to go!!!!!🤪 I made the travel journal thinking of those who were leaving shortly after...

It's the elasticity of time... 😊

Anyway, your travel journals are really great, and when the time finally comes, they’ll be useful... not just to make us dream 🙂.

The biggest issue is that the best time is October (just like for southern Lipez), and in October, it’s hard to get away for more than 10 days.😕

By the way, I’m heading back to Chile at the end of July, and I really hope to visit Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, near the Argentine border. I haven’t prepared anything yet...

Looks like an amazing plan ahead... otherwise, it reminds me that I need to seriously dive into planning this summer’s itinerary. 😮