Glaciers National Park, Argentina
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Laguna Torre Glaciers National Park, Argentina |
March 23
We don't need a shuttle bus today, because the trailhead is just a block from
our hostel. "Just go up past the green building and turn left; it's
well-marked". In truth, there is no marker whatever on the street;
but we can see the trail heading up the hillside.
There's the green building
The trail marker is atop the slope
It is unusual for a healthy horse to be lying down
Rio Fitz Roy
Our destination is in the center of the photos
A long flat area to traverse
It looks like a rufous collared sparrow
After reaching the saddle, we encounter yet another flat area to cross.
Not there yet
Mellow trail
The fall colors really add to the beauty of this place, rendering the trail more interesting.
Most trees in the open areas are quite stunted, because the strong winds will not allow them to grow any higher. Many of them resemble Japanese bonsai trees.
Some beautiful trail segments
Finally, the terminal moraine appears. We are nearly there.
The end is in sight
Laguna Torre and its resident icebergs
It is most unfortunate that the weather did not cooperate today. The wind is quite strong, and clouds are obliterating much of the scenery. This would otherwise be an awesome view.
Checking out the Glaciar Grande
A trail continues around the right-hand side of the lake to a high
mirador, but neither of us is inclined to walk up there under these
weather conditions. Instead, David and I scurry behind a
hand-made wind shelter to check out our box lunches, which were
prepared last night by the hostel staff. The ubiquitous ham and
cheese sandwiches predictably have no mustard, because they hardly know
what that stuff is in this country. In fact, many ordinary spices
and seasonings simply aren't popular here. I spent a week here
before seeing a pepper shaker on a dining table.
David is a firm believer in carrying a tube of mustard everywhere on international travels. I would add to that a bottle of Spike and perhaps some steak sauce.
Our lunch spot
We don't hang around here very long, because a couple of raindrops already have hit us. I have stashed my big camera in a waterproof bag.
We do manage to walk out of the rain shortly, however; so it's time for more pictures on the return leg.
This is why I go hiking
The most pleasant spot on the trail
No flowers, but some unusual stuff
Back on the 'dry' side of the hill
Town is just ahead, in the gap below the cliff
Near the end, that horse is still there, and still lying down. It also is tethered, however; so perhaps the animal is not ill after all — just tired of walking in circles.
El Chaltén
§: I gave this hike a good rating, because it was a very pretty
walk. Some sunshine at the laguna would have counted for a lot.
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| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
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| Solitude |  |
