Argentina - Situation in Bariloche/Volcano ash

Planning a week in Argentina early December. Hoped for Bariloche as in past 2 years but LAN shows no flights AEP-BRC due to airport closure.

Assuming could get there, eg via Neuquen, what is the current situation? Is the ash bothersome for trekkers? Businesses and hotels open?

If not Bariloche, what suggestion for low-key hikers? Mendoza? Others further south?

Thanks

I hate to say this but I suggest you forget Bariloche..... leave it for a next trip to Argentina.

I hate to say this but I suggest you forget Bariloche..... leave it for a next trip to Argentina.

OK

Then somewhere else in the Andes perhaps?

I hate to say this but I suggest you forget Bariloche..... leave it for a next trip to Argentina.

Why do you say that Gaucho100K? Because everything is closed or because the airport is closed and you cannot get there? Or because it is covered in ash and not really worth going to?

Keen to know if it is just because the airport is closed because I am planning on going on a bus.

I suspect it's because of the uncertainty over air services.

Don't see a problem if going by road....the buses are still running past my town to Bariloche. I had thought of going down and having a look out of curiosity but the wife wasn't having it.

Cool thanks HIDDY
I am still going then

OK

Then somewhere else in the Andes perhaps?

I would say Mendoza....

Some recent reports:
http://baexpats.org/expat-life/17432-has-bariloche-recovered-2.html

Unless you like really long bus rides, I'd agree with Alex that Mendoza is a great location in the upcoming months (at least through March).

Some recent reports:
http://baexpats.org/expat-life/17432-has-bariloche-recovered-2.html

Unless you like really long bus rides, I'd agree with Alex that Mendoza is a great location in the upcoming months (at least through March).

Thanks for the link, have you any thoughts on flights to EZE from the USA. Specifically UA IAD-EZE, Im flying next weekend, any issues that you can think of? Thanks and Safe Travels..

Thanks for the link, have you any thoughts on flights to EZE from the USA. Specifically UA IAD-EZE, Im flying next weekend, any issues that you can think of? Thanks and Safe Travels..Ha! I'm flying SFO-IAD-EZE on Thursday. :D

Señor Kiwi... good to have you back. How long are you staying...? Please reserve space in your calender for an Asado at my place... :D

Thanks for the link, have you any thoughts on flights to EZE from the USA. Specifically UA IAD-EZE, Im flying next weekend, any issues that you can think of? Thanks and Safe Travels..

I flew IAD/EZE in F last Thursday. I am still recovering from the luxury. I hope to recover sufficiently prior to tonight's return flights. It is clear that I truly do not appreciate the luxury of United First Class.

I think that you must realize that IAD and EZE are both airports of the highest quality, and UA is the gold standard of international air service. Once you realize this, and understand that you are experiencing the best that life has to offer, your experience will be much better. :D

I flew IAD/EZE in F last Thursday. I am still recovering from the luxury. I hope to recover sufficiently prior to tonight's return flights. It is clear that I truly do not appreciate the luxury of United First Class.

I think that you must realize that IAD and EZE are both airports of the highest quality, and UA is the gold standard of international air service. Once you realize this, and understand that you are experiencing the best that life has to offer, your experience will be much better. :D

:D ^

I recovered from my UA F flight to EZE quite quickly. After two large swigs of RSJ as soon as I got home I was right as rain. ^

After two large swigs of RSJ as soon as I got home I was right as rain. ^

After 2 large swigs..... you head straight for the ER.... :eek:

After 2 large swigs..... you head straight for the ER.... :eek:

I'm Scottish remember. :p

I'm Scottish remember. :p

The more you ponder RSJ the harder time I have believing the fact you are a skirted-one.... I mean, you come from the Mecca of high quality Spirits.... Single Malts are a religion in their own right.... that you would even allow yourself to be seen in the same room as RSJ is just hard to understand.....

:eek:

The more you ponder RSJ the harder time I have believing the fact you are a skirted-one.... I mean, you come from the Mecca of high quality Spirits.... Single Malts are a religion in their own right.... that you would even allow yourself to be seen in the same room as RSJ is just hard to understand.....

:eek:

I did used to like a drop of the amber nectar when living in Scotland more so when the weather was cold and I was out fishing or hiking....although I have to say I was never a great whisky drinker. In fact whisky drinking has declined quite drastically over the years in Scotland. Vodka is probably more popular especially amongst the younger generations.
I think the weather here is too warm to enjoy it to its fullest. A nice cold gin n tonic with a twist of lemon is far more enjoyable.

Hadn't heard about the ash being a problem on the ground in Bariloche.... How severe has the ashfall been?

It was most severe back in June when inches of the stuff fell on the town.

They had some more recently but only a thin covering. No idea what the current situation is at the moment though.

UA Flight EZE IAD Cancelled on Nov 10 due to activity..

UA Flight EZE IAD Cancelled on Nov 10 due to activity..

Strange one that as the majority of flights landed or departed at EZE today. I sometimes wonder if some carriers are too quick on cancelling flights.

COPIED FROM THORNTREE TODAY...

------------------------

News reports today that LAN and Aerolineas have resumed flights to Bariloche, so you might be flying directly there. As i understand, the volcano Puyehue is no longer a problem.

http://news-usa.in/?p=41465

http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/89736/new-direct-flight-brings-relief-to-bariloche

There is some confusion, as there is another volcano called Hudson that has been causing volcanic ash much further south, halfway to Tierra del Fuego, in Chile, which affected flights about 3 weeks ago (but not this month), that could cause problems for flights going further south, but NOT Bariloche.


2
The current situation: http://www.staybariloche.com/volcano-puyehue-ash-bariloche-travel.php


3
More detail in Spanish in these articles today about flights having resumed in Bariloche:

http://www.anbariloche.com.ar/noticia.php?nota=25816
http://www.anbariloche.com.ar/noticia.php?nota=25820

The last one says that LAN 4346 has been landing daily and will continue to land daily in Bariloche , until January 24, when all LAN flights to and from Bariloche will resume.

The Aerolineas situation is less clear, but the first article seems to say that all AA flights will have resumed after a week as well.

In terms of the Hudson volcano, I should add that there is no expectation that it will cause problems further south.
Apparently a flight to Trelaw from BA was cancelled a few days ago, but that was further south.

Flights have resumed as of yesterday to Bariloche. Gave lots of links in longer answer, but moderator has to approve it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16587541

Just got my flight on Jan23 to Bariloche changed to fly rather than bus. Now it seems that it might be back to the bus.
LAN changed the flight # and confirmed airport is opened, now it's closed.
The rest of my trip relies on me getting to Bariloche for onward flight in Chile and back to BA.
I feel a little stressed by this situation, to say the least.

Flights are now going to Bariloche. I flew in on LAN Jan 23.

Flights are now going to Bariloche. I flew in on LAN Jan 23.

If you can, please write a short report on how the ash situation is.... nothing beats a first hand report like you can provide... ^

We arrived Jan 23 and traveled up to San Martin on Jan 25 where I am writing this.
There was no apparent signs of ash in the air or on the ground in Bariloche. In fact the views were fantastic 23 & 24. On the 25 there was obscured views in the distance but didn't seem to be caused by ash.
On the drive up to San Martin, there was areas along the way that was covered in ash inches deep.
The road is being widened and paved and heavy equipment is slowing down the drive both ways on the tourist route though the lake region.
In San Martin the area shows no signs of any ash on the ground or in the air. The town is quite beautiful and worth a visit if in the area.

Thank you kindly for taking time to post your report !!! ^

Just arrived back in Bariloche today Jan 26 at 4PM. Half way back from San Martin we encountered ash. The sky was grey and visability a few kilometers so fine for driving.
The hotel staff here in Bariloche said that some flights had arrived today.
At this moment I am in hotel lakeside. It looks like a fog bank off the coast.
No view at all of any mountians.
I am leaving Friday Jan 27 to Chile by bus. I will post another update before I leave.
Sorry to report this as the people I´ve spoken to about this situation all say what a hardship this is causing locals. Many have lost jobs and others income greatly effected.

On Jan27 most of the ash was not over Bariloche, but was blocking the distant views.
On our drive to Chile, we passed through Villa La Angostura. There was little visability and ash mounds on the side of the roads. The ground looked like it snowed and there was ash on the roofs of some homes. The accumulation of past months.
On the road to Chile everything was covered with ash and potions of the forest seemed to be dying.
In Bariloche there was nothing like this, just a very light dust noticable on our car.

Surprised to hear that therea are still roofs with ash.... Im guessing that perhaps these buildings have been abandoned...? From what I understand, volcanic ash can get very very heavy when it mixes with water and make roofs collapse... normally when a building is occupied, when you get a good amount of ash on your roof the first thing the authorities have you do is clean out the ash before it rains.... else it could mean trouble...

Are there issues with the road between Bariloche and Puerto Montt? I've been hoping to do this later in the year. Was thinking of doing the bus from Puerto Montt or maybe the lake cruise/bus combo.

We traveled that route by bus Jan 27. The road was open and operating normally.
The area you pass through was heavily covered with ash, but the roads were all cleared.

Hoping to spend a week in Bariloche early November. I gather from the recent posts that flights via LAN are now operating regularly. We particularly enjoy the hiking in and around--any reports on trail conditions?

Hoping to spend a week in Bariloche early November. I gather from the recent posts that flights via LAN are now operating regularly. We particularly enjoy the hiking in and around--any reports on trail conditions?

Dont know specifics about the hiking trails, but Bariloche has gotten quite a bit of snow lately and all the ski related activities have gotten off to a great start.

Hoping to spend a week in Bariloche early November. I gather from the recent posts that flights via LAN are now operating regularly. We particularly enjoy the hiking in and around--any reports on trail conditions?

I hiked and camped Tronador in March. There was no issue with ash. Club Andino will be able to answer any questions. They can tell you which trails or refugios might be closed since you will travel before the summer season.

http://www.clubandino.org/refugios-y-campings/refugios-index-eng.asp

I hiked and camped Tronador in March. There was no issue with ash. Club Andino will be able to answer any questions. They can tell you which trails or refugios might be closed since you will travel before the summer season.

http://www.clubandino.org/refugios-y-campings/refugios-index-eng.asp

Welcome to FT and to the Argentina Forum..... ^