01/08 I’d read that the stretch of road from Puerto Bertrand to Cochrane was pretty tough but that was a bit of an understatement. I don’t know what they were thinking when they planned this road but 15% grades on hills ain’t cool. One of the hills was so bad I had to break down and walk it. At least the horse flies weren’t as bad thanks to cooler weather.
It started raining pretty hard when I got to Cochrane but I’d just pulled into a residential where I paid for 2 nights. I would have only stayed one night but it’s Sunday and the big supermarket is closed. I need some food because there’s not much south of here for a bit. No one else here except a couple from Chile. The guy said the fires are still buring in Torres del Paine and everyone is canceling their reservations. He ended up getting laid off from his tour guide job. 
My dumb ass managed to lose my baseball cap which I’ve had since leaving Florida. It must have blown out of my handlebar bag when I stopped for a photo. I also lost the cloth lens cleaner I kept in there probably from another photo stop.
About 13 km past Puerto Bertrand, which is 12 km longer than I wanted to ride, I happened upon a nice little campground. It was only 2500 pesos and there’s usually hot showers and electricity. A German couple and a Canadian guy were staying there and after I introduced myself I realized they were the same people that camped next to me a few days ago along one of the rivers. I also met a Dutch guy who rode with Karin and Marten for a while. I ran into him in Coihaique and then on the road yesterday.
I’m really enjoying this area and I sure hope they don’t ruin it by damming up the rivers and running power lines up north for the mining companies. There are quite a few billboards up but I just don’t see the locals being able to stop the government from allowing the dam projects from going forward. Money talks.
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