Bikepacking the WORLD'S BEST ROAD TRIP - The Carretera Austral of Chile (The Journey North EP. 10)

[@Biking360]

I'm genuinely, genuinely blown away by how beautiful this trail is. I've not heard of it before but it's now gone straight onto my bucket list. I'm 60 now and have just made a pact with myself as I watch this, at home with a cup of tea, that I will get there before I see out my life. Live the dream. JP The old guy

[@KarlKroll]

Wonderful JP! Biking the Carretera Austral is a great goal, logistics aren't overly complex and after cycling the route you can end at El Chalten (the Fitz Roy), Argentina which would be a great place to do short hikes and reflect on your accomplishments! All the best!

[@Biking360]

@@KarlKroll Thanks Karl. I'm excited already. I might have to buy a new bike though. Things just get better and better :)

[@billthul2440]

Great Bucket List at 60!

[@heronpark8592]

Have you made the trip yet? May I join you?

[@KarlKroll]

If you watched this video yesterday thank you! I uploaded it, and realized the sound was way off compared to how I wanted it to be. Even though you probably didn't notice, I had issues with it so decided to fix and upload the better version for your viewing pleasure. Sorry for the confusion and happy pedaling!

[@billthul2440]

The sound and music are top notch!

[@TheCyclingArtist]

Subbed, I just got a Kona Rove DL and I am building it up to tour on love your videos!

[@KarlKroll]

@@TheCyclingArtist thank you! The Kona Rove seems like an awesome touring bike, go do some cool stuff!

[@KarlKroll]

@@billthul2440 cheers!

[@TheCyclingArtist]

@@KarlKroll Added some large bottle cages from blackburn today. I also ordered a brooks saddle.

[@eduardherak8599]

Beautiful video Karl super 👍👍👍🏕🚵‍♂️🌞❤️👍🌞

[@KarlKroll]

Glad you liked it!

[@argonk]

Hey Karl, Mauro here from this very leg of the Carretera Austral :) This brings up so many nice memories! I'm watching your other videos as well. Good content! Hope you are well.

[@KarlKroll]

Hey Mauro, hope you are doing well! I am glad to help bring back some memories. All the best amigo and I hope to meet again!

[@desert.mantis]

Glad to watch some new episodes, Karl.

[@KarlKroll]

Glad you enjoyed them!

[@going.pottie]

Really nice video, looks like an absolutely stunning route. Feeling very inspired! How did you manage to keep everything charged along the way?

[@KarlKroll]

Hi Pottie, glad you're feeling inspired, that's exactly what I'm hoping to do! I had a solar charger but it stopped working so instead I mostly relied on 2 big 20,000mAh battery packs and an outlet every week or so. Currently I'm trying out a hub charger by pedalcell so it is something I am still working on.

[@canica99]

Really great stuff amigo...the cheesy bread was the real deal and that pizza over the coals was outrageous. Awesome stuff man.

[@KarlKroll]

Thanks Tico!

[@jttierney1]

@7:10!! Perfection!

[@KarlKroll]

:)

[@FollowThomas]

Looks beautiful there. All the best for your trip. Great video! 👍

[@KarlKroll]

Thank you! It is a beautiful spot, all the best to you!

[@grnwlski]

2:00 How come you had to put a tube in?

[@KarlKroll]

I had ripped my sidewall pretty badly on a rock and lost tubeless in the middle of nowhere. I tried resealing with my hand pump (hv lezyne mini-floor) but no luck.

[@grnwlski]

@@KarlKroll I see, are you carrying just one spare tube? Btw, that's some smooth editing at 9:13 ;)

[@filmmoving563]

Thanks for the movie! We're really glad to see Juanita! We had the pleasure to meet her on her big trip in Russia and spent with her some days)

[@KarlKroll]

that is wonderful! I was able to stay with her as I went through Colombia as well - that will be in a future episode ;)

[@filmmoving563]

@@KarlKroll Will wait for it)

[@KarlKroll]

@@filmmoving563 cheers!

[@nicolorebellato3101]

any suggestion about the tires? is 50mm enough? or 38-40mm gravel tires would be enough?

[@KarlKroll]

Personally I would go with 50mm (~2") at a minimum for comfort. But it is all up to personal preference as there really aren't any soft sections necessitating large tires

[@alias8125]

cooool man!

[@KarlKroll]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Maxl14]

Hi, did you enter from El Chaltén in Argentina? If yes, how easy was it to get information on when the ferry is leaving when you were in El Chaltén?

[@KarlKroll]

hey there! I did, and at this time there really wasn't good information. I have a separate video about that part of the trip

[@jamesexpat55]

good video keep it up

[@KarlKroll]

Thanks James! Glad you enjoyed it

[@brandonbell9020]

Great video thanks for the inspiration! Can I ask what fishing kit did you use? How didi you secure it? Also GPX of your little spots ? Keep up the good work!

[@KarlKroll]

Cheers Brandon! Thanks for checking out the channel. The rod is just a cheap rod from Decathalon which I secured to my front bag with velcro. I dont have a gpx of the spots but any water along the Carretera Austral is full of fish. Cheers!

[@wishfull9036]

Thanks for the nice video. How do you compare the green Husky tent with the big agnes?

[@KarlKroll]

I think the Husky is slightly heavier but a good tent. Unfortunately most of my zippers failed on it after extended touring. I have used the Big Agnes on the Great Divide and some other shorter trips but like it so far! It seems extremely lightweight so I just hope it lasts.

[@wishfull9036]

@@KarlKroll Thanks for the info. I thought the simplicity of the Husky structure would make it robust, but the zippers failed :D

[@s-ultracycling]

Awesome

[@davidp7414]

Fantastic video, great edit

[@KarlKroll]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@billthul2440]

The bug 🐜 on the sandwich! 😆 We probably all occasionally eat bugs and never know it, especially when eating outside.

[@KarlKroll]

very true, I was so surprised when I saw it while editing.

[@emilylachenmayer7198]

Hey Karl, great video! You mentioned you did the trip solo in the beginning. I am really hoping to make the trip early next year but it can be difficult to wrangle friends to do it with. I'm curious your thoughts on doing it solo and if you'd think it'd be a similar experience as a solo female.

[@KarlKroll]

Hey Emily! I think along the Carretera Austral it would be easy to make some friends along the route and probably one of the best places for a solo female traveler in South America! There are also forums on FB and WhatsApp for cycle travelers in South America which could be great resources. Best wishes and feel free to reach out for more info, happy pedaling 👍

[@arcoulant87]

How on earth did you get Waitrose peanut butter out there ?

[@KarlKroll]

There is a big supermarket in Coyhaique, it is the only place on the Carretera Austral one will find reasonably priced peanut butter 😂

[@onelove8062]

Dont get mauled by sheep bro 7:40

[@KarlKroll]

🤣🤣🤣

[@elultimohabitante]

Hi Karl, I Loved your bikepacking trip; however, you cannot make fire there. It is strictly forbidden. In 2011, an Israeli tourist burned about 17.000 hectares in the C.A., causing irreparable damage to wildlife.

[@KarlKroll]

Oh no! maybe it was different while I was there? this is from a few years ago. I would hope not to promote something against local regulations so please always respect local laws!