Chile Forum

Hello! I am very happy to have discovered this Forum!

I want to plan an exploratory camping trip to Chile, and I have a question regarding winter weather along the coastline.

Given that the ocean always moderates the temperatures, I want to visit in July or August and travel by car down the beaches along the shore roads from perhaps Pichilemu on South until I encounter freezing temperatures. In a "normal" winter, about where might that be? Any guesses? Anecdotal experiences much appreciated!

I have searched the internet pages, now also "allchile" and can't find an answer. Perhaps good records exist for enough locations along the way but I haven't found them.
Best regards,
Dave

Piloto wrote:Hello! I am very happy to have discovered this Forum!

I want to plan an exploratory camping trip to Chile, and I have a question regarding winter weather along the coastline.

Given that the ocean always moderates the temperatures, I want to visit in July or August and travel by car down the beaches along the shore roads from perhaps Pichilemu on South until I encounter freezing temperatures. In a "normal" winter, about where might that be? Any guesses? Anecdotal experiences much appreciated!

I have searched the internet pages, now also "allchile" and can't find an answer. Perhaps good records exist for enough locations along the way but I haven't found them.

e

It's a bit uncommon that it freezes along the coast, that is to say right on the beach, even as far south at Pto Montt, during the winter. Get away from the water, however, and things get colder.

As you can see in the following, at the Puerto Montt airport, which is a little ways inland, the winter months see an occasional minus 4 or 5 degree Celsius (2010 data). May gets about 6 days with temps below freezing, and August about 10. Along the beach and immediate vicinity the temps would normally be slightly higher.

Moving up the coast a ways, Valdivia for 2010 saw only 3 days in June and 6 in July where the temps got below freezing for any time at all.

The high winter humidity along the coast can make even temps slightly above freezing downright uncomfortable. No idea what you have in mind.

There are several other locations with other data here:

http://164.77.222.61/climatologia/anuar ... o-2010.pdf

Thanks patagoniax,
It will take me a while to learn how the reply functions work for quotes, so I will do this: "No idea what you have in mind."
Just trying to be logical. I don't enjoy really cold weather and I would like to plan a trip with a reasonable expectation of no freezing. I can handle cold if I must, but the Fun Meter reading drops quickly.

I understand about inland temperatures being colder. Allowing for altitude effects, there is a point along the coastline where by traveling North the "limit line" for freezing temperatures will trend (even if ever so slowly) further and further away from the coastline. If I want to plan a trip without freezing, I should stay within that wedge.

Logically, this is important because the place where the freeze "limit line" meets the coastline will be the sensible Southern limit of any trip I should plan. So, when I can define that location I can begin to think about how much time the trip will need. It's a good idea to know how long the trip might take!

From looking at Google Earth and a few weather stations I have found, I had conjectured that Concepcion might be that limit, but perhaps it might be further South. Maybe Tiura or Mehuin? Wherever, once I decide then there is one more question:

If I pick up a vehicle in Santiago and follow the coastal tracks as much as possible down to the end point... Then pick up Rt. 5 North and return the vehicle, how long might that take? Not driving like it's Dakar, just doing the touristy thing.

But first, I need to figure out where I am going...

Hope this clarifies what I have in mind!
Cheers!
Dave

Your bigger problem with your plan I see is there are not a lot of roads along the coast for much of the area you are describing. Well not much that is passiable with anything but a horse.

admin wrote:Your bigger problem with your plan I see is there are not a lot of roads along the coast for much of the area you are describing. Well not much that is passiable with anything but a horse.

That is a good point. And since OP mentioned trying to travel "tracks" those tracks that are possible with 4x4 are sometimes in tree plantation areas. Without good common sense and breadcrumb GPS practice, you can seriously lost and/or stuck out in some of those areas. In which case the cold or lack of it becomes a smaller issue. But on the other hand I have spent some pleasant time wandering around dirt roads/tracks by motorbike along the coast of VII and VIII regions (when I was based in Rancagua).

Hello Admin & Patagoniax,
Regarding the mention of problems with roads, I recognize that and completely agree! Thus, to quote from my previous post:

"follow the coastal tracks as much as possible". No problem. The spirit of the trip will be flexibility.

Not only is helpful satellite imagery available, but the area is also peppered with photos available online. I have seen lots of bad roads. These things and more can all be addressed in good time and I appreciate all information... now and future. But, I don't want to get side "tracked"

As I have posted, the first step in my planning is to seek information regarding temperatures.

Cheers!
Dave
PS: Does Chile have good beers?

Piloto wrote:
PS: Does Chile have good beers?

Yes.