#1: [20-Apr-02]

18-Jan-2012 -- This is the last out of ten confluences that we visited during our trip to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. The story begins at 35°S 59°W. The previous confluence visit is 53°S 69°W.

Coming from Ushuaia, we crossed Chilean border at Monte Aymond (38 km beeline from CP). We asked the friendly border control staff if we could drive along the border road via Estancia El Cóndor, which would result in a shortcut of 20 km. Unfortunately, some higher authorities could not give permission to our request, so we drove the longer loop via Rio Gallegos. 5 km south of the town, we turned sharply south and followed the unsealed road no.1 towards the penguin view point Cabo Virgenes. We expected that this road would have a minimal distance of 6 km, so we were prepared for a walk of this distance. But as we approached by car, there was an unexpected intersection pointing in the right direction. As we were already looking forward to having an exercise, we parked at the intersection and covered the remaining part on foot. Actually, it is possible to drive up to 700 m to the confluence point.

There are not many features in the area, which consists of grasslands and pastures for feeding ruminant animals. There is a radio antenna about 3 km from the confluence point. The exact location has a ground cover of only moss. A highlight was catching sight of Rheas which are flightless birds endemic to South America.

After the visit we returned to Rio Gallegos, dropped off our rental car and flew back to Buenos Aires. Before we left Argentina, we had a great dinner together with Sergio Zerega. We told him our stories and made plans for future confluence visits.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to an asphalt road: ca. 30 km (road no.3, there are no asphalt roads in this area)
• Distance to a road: 6 km
• Distance to a track: 700 m
• Distance of parking: 6 km
• Distance to houses: probably 15 km
• Time starting the hike: 12:10 PM
• Time at the CP: 1:00 PM
• Measured height: 94 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 1 m
• Position accuracy at the CP: 3 m
• Topography: flat
• Vegetation: moss
• Weather: strong wind, overcast, 20° C (felt temperature)
• Description of the CP: Southernmost confluence of continental Argentina. In an area with mainly pasture grasslands.
• Given Name: The Running Rhea Confluence

Story finishes here.