He The landscape of Route 41 is impressive: it is a hidden gem of winter tourism in Patagonia, with its white-tinged surroundings and its impressive sunsets. For 155 kilometers, “41” shows every minute the reasons why it is recognized as the “scenic route.”
It is a gravel road, but fascinating. It joins the towns of Los Antiguos and Lago Posadas in the north of the province of Santa Cruz. The beauty that winter brings is felt on the face, in the landscape.
On that journey, there are 22 panoramic points ideal for those looking for a unique tourist adventure. The thing is that what is wonderful to look at, is also challenging.. Mauro Pratti, a tourism entrepreneur in Perito Moreno, tells the particularities of the route at that time of year.
“Winter here brings a spectacle in itself. “The low clouds, together with the large accumulation of snow, transform the landscape into an impressive view,” described Pratti, surprised every year despite the experience.
He El Portezuelo pass, 72 kilometers south of Los Antiguos, is the highest point of the road with 1492 meters above sea level. “It usually accumulates around 80 cm of snow in June, when winter has just started, and getting there is a great journey of pure adventure,” he said.
For those who decide to venture, it is key Take precautions and seek qualified support. “It is essential to go with prepared vehicles and, if possible, have satellite communication, because there is no connectivity. Bring shovels, coats and food,” the guide warned, because the conditions can be extreme due to the accumulation of snow and mud.
During winter, the pass can be traveled up to kilometer 50, although with great caution. At the exit of that townthere is a Provincial Roads delegation where it is recommended to check the status of the route before starting the journey.
“It was a great journey in 4×4, with chains on all four decks, we carried shovels and opened the path as we went. It is a hard, wild and communal experience, and in these types of challenges it is always very important to have camaraderie, a sense of community and being ready for each other,” Pratti told us about the last time he traveled this mythical road in winter; and he added: “If you don’t move together, you don’t advance.” For him, that is the most relevant part of the experience.
The Temperatures can be extreme, ranging between -14 and -19° Celsius. That is why it is crucial to carry adequate equipment such as sleeping bags. adapted, resistant tents and thermal and waterproof clothing.
“The experience in winter is epic. There is no path, you make the path yourself. And I think it could be a good opportunity to develop a winter product related to adventure.”
Mauro Pratti, tour guide in Perito Moreno.
Sighting of condors and pumas
But This trip also offers challenges as encounters with local fauna occur. Sightings of condors are almost guaranteed and – with a bit of luck – you can see a pumaseveral types of birds such as condors, woodpeckers and cachañas, a species of parrot that lives in the Patagonian Andean forests.
“These parrots usually make seasonal migrations and go down to these lower valleys. “It was a great joy to hear their sound again after almost 20 years,” Pratti rescued. When snow covers the steppe, it provides a unique setting to spot and learn about the wildlife that lives in this region.
Activities to enjoy with the snow and in groups
The itinerary offers are diverse. You can use a snowboard, the classic “culipatín”, improvise a snow war, armed with an igloo. Everything that the imagination allows. There is a lot of snow and the slopes have ideal slopes for these winter sports, as the tour guide explained.
The groups with which Pratti led adventures were always made up of inhabitants of neighboring towns. “It is so that they can access a provincial route that has been disused for almost six months, only people from the La Frontera ranch use it”.
In that establishment there is a place for public use on Lincoln Creek, prepared with dry bath and stove sectors. “That’s where we usually make camp and from where we face further up or towards the slopes,” he highlighted.
