5 replies to this topic

[tropicaltraveler]

In planning my upcoming South America RV trip, i have been doing some researching in past issues of Trailer Life.

I was going through travel on the Pan AM Highway, and came across some old issues of the Trailer Life Publication, from April, 1997 (front cover feature story), which told of the first scouting expedition for the Trekoftheamericas, of two adventureous persons from the Netherlands with a diesel pick and a 5th wheel trailer.

The two following months May and June of 1997 the Trailer Life published part 2 and part 3 of the expedition. It is very interesting reading for persons wanting to make this journey via camping enroute. I am going to do the same starting in early August 2012. USA to Ushuaia, then north to Uruguay and Brazil.

The back issues can be looked up on Google.

Some great news for anyone planning the trip. Last week, the Panama Tourist Office has announced the REINSTATEMENT of FERRY SERVICE from Panama to Cartengena, Columbia. In past trips, travelers were required to ship their motorhomes via commerical cargo ship, now the crossing (14 hrs.) can be done on the ferry. The savings is from $2000 to $4000 depending on the size of the motorhome or camper. Previously, there was a ferry, but it only lasted 18 months, and the company discontinued operations. I hope this is still going in August 2012, when I am going to be on this great trip.

The research reading of old issues of Trailer Life, really shows the difference from 1997 to the present time. Back then, you almost needed a 4x4, and now you would never use it, the highways have improved so much!

[tropicaltraveler]

http://www.ebay.com/...7-/270889942310

trailer life april, 1997

[Mariner]

I read a book many years ago(can't remember the name)about a guy who did it by motorcycle. It had details about how he got thru the Darien Gap. It's a portion of the trip where there's no road, just swamps. At that time I was an avid biker having done the lower 48 and a few canadian provinces. And then about a year later I met a guy who also did the trip to so. America by motorcycle,but he shipped his bike around the gap. Still it put my relatively easy touring to shame. I have nothing but admiration for anyone with the mental fortitude to be able to do something like that.

[tropicaltraveler]

I read a book many years ago(can't remember the name)about a guy who did it by motorcycle. It had details about how he got thru the Darien Gap. It's a portion of the trip where there's no road, just swamps. At that time I was an avid biker having done the lower 48 and a few canadian provinces. And then about a year later I met a guy who also did the trip to so. America by motorcycle,but he shipped his bike around the gap. Still it put my relatively easy touring to shame. I have nothing but admiration for anyone with the mental fortitude to be able to do something like that.

Here is some of the back history.
In December 1960, on a motorcycle trip from Alaska to Argentina, adventurer Danny Liska[5] transited the Darién Gap from Panama to Colombia.[6] Liska was forced to abandon his motorcycle and proceed across the Gap by boat and foot. In 1961, a team of three 1961 Chevrolet Corvairs and several support vehicles departed from Panama. The group was sponsored by Dick Doan Chevrolet, a Chicago Chevrolet dealer and the Chevrolet division of General Motors. After 109 days they reached the Colombia Border with all three Corvairs. This was the first crossing by a standard two wheel drive passenger car. It has been documented by a Jam Handy Productions film along with an article in "Automobile Quarterly Magazine" ( Volume 1 number 3, from the fall of 1962).

A pair of Range Rovers were used on the British Trans-Americas Expedition in 1972 led by John Blashford-Snell, which is claimed to be the first vehicle-based expedition to traverse both American continents north to south through the Darién Gap. However, this expedition used boats to bypass the Atrato Swamp in Colombia which lies on the "direct" trans-Americas route, and received substantial support from the British Army. The Hundred Days of Darien, a book written by Russell Braddon in 1974, chronicles this expedition.

With the new Ferry Service starting on May 10th, 2012, we don't have to worry about that when we travel to Columbia with our Lance camper this summer! But, the motorcycle would be a "Fun Challenge" ! !

[tropicaltraveler]

I read a book many years ago(can't remember the name)about a guy who did it by motorcycle. It had details about how he got thru the Darien Gap. It's a portion of the trip where there's no road, just swamps. At that time I was an avid biker having done the lower 48 and a few canadian provinces. And then about a year later I met a guy who also did the trip to so. America by motorcycle,but he shipped his bike around the gap. Still it put my relatively easy touring to shame. I have nothing but admiration for anyone with the mental fortitude to be able to do something like that.

In December 1960, on a motorcycle trip from Alaska to Argentina adventurer Danny Liska[5] transited the Darién Gap from Panama to Colombia.[6] Liska was forced to abandon his motorcycle and proceed across the Gap by boat and foot. In 1961, a team of three 1961 Chevrolet Corvairs and several support vehicles departed from Panama. The group was sponsored by Dick Doan Chevrolet, a Chicago Chevrolet dealer and the Chevrolet division of General Motors. After 109 days they reached the Colombia Border with all three Corvairs. This was the first crossing by a standard two wheel drive passenger car. It has been documented by a Jam Handy Productions film along with an article in "Automobile Quarterly Magazine" ( Volume 1 number 3, from the fall of 1962).

A pair of Range Rovers were used on the British Trans-Americas Expedition in 1972 led by John Blashford which is claimed to be the first vehicle-based expedition to traverse both American continents north to south through the Darién Gap. However, this expedition used boats to bypass the Atrato swamp in Colombia which lies on the "direct" trans-Americas route, and received substantial support from the British Army,. The Hundred Days of Darien, a book written by Russel Bradon in 1974, chronicles this expedition.

[tropicaltraveler]

In planning my upcoming South America RV trip, i have been doing some researching in past issues of Trailer Life.

I was going through travel on the Pan AM Highway, and came across some old issues of the Trailer Life Publication, from April, 1997 (front cover feature story), which told of the first scouting expedition for the Trekoftheamericas, of two adventureous persons from the Netherlands with a diesel pick and a 5th wheel trailer.

The two following months May and June of 1997 the Trailer Life published part 2 and part 3 of the expedition. It is very interesting reading for persons wanting to make this journey via camping enroute. I am going to do the same starting in early August 2012. USA to Ushuaia, then north to Uruguay and Brazil.

The back issues can be looked up on Google.

Some great news for anyone planning the trip. Last week, the Panama Tourist Office has announced the REINSTATEMENT of FERRY SERVICE from Panama to Cartengena, Columbia. In past trips, travelers were required to ship their motorhomes via commerical cargo ship, now the crossing (14 hrs.) can be done on the ferry. The savings is from $2000 to $4000 depending on the size of the motorhome or camper. Previously, there was a ferry, but it only lasted 18 months, and the company discontinued operations. I hope this is still going in August 2012, when I am going to be on this great trip.

The research reading of old issues of Trailer Life, really shows the difference from 1997 to the present time. Back then, you almost needed a 4x4, and now you would never use it, the highways have improved so much!

IF anyone has these back issues (Beyond the Equador - is the cover feature story in all three issues) please advise. I have some parts of the story, but would like to re-fresh the dates and contents. The couple that scouted the TrekoftheAmericas Pan American Expedition did it with a diesel Dodge pickup and a large 5th wheel. They made it all the way, however this trip, told us that a 5th wheel, or in fact, no trailer is really suited for the trip. They had over 20+ flat tires on the trailer (mostly from sharp rocks kicked up) and found it very difficult to park and use.

Also they went places that we learned NOT to go to now....like the narrow unpaved roads of Bolivia.. Back when they did the trip there was over 3000 miles of unpaved roads, now it is only 250! No need for a 4x4, or any special vehicle to go. The beautiful scenery and the friendly people are still the same!!