An eight hour flight from Miami to Santiago,Chile bought ArcticTropic from a late rainy season tropical wave to a delightful Southern Hemisphere spring morning. As we approach Santiago, one can see the icy cold South Pacific Ocean in the distance.

Above, the final approach to SCL. What was supposed to be a one hour layover, turned out to be 3 hours as the flight was delayed due to the Puyehue Volcano erupting once again. Though 670 km south of Santiago, the ash cloud spreads far and wide. We are informed the Mendoza airport is closed and the flight may be cancelled. ArcticTropic began investigating  connections by bus, but at 1 PM ,it was announced that a window had opened and we ad to board quickly.

Up over the Andes, a crossing we have made many times.

Warm spring sunshine is softening the snowpack, providing ample water for the vineyards below.

On the Argentine side, the volcanic dust cloud was apparent. I was surprised we were allowed to fly. Volcanic ash can freeze jet engines  and make a plane drop out of the sky !

Disembarking our flight at MDZ.

Early evening, about 8 PM riding north through the desert  from Mendoza to San Juan.

Volcanic sunset. Tomorrow’s north  winds will blast away the dust and send temperatures soaring.