Saturday, December 31, 2011

Fitz Roy Trek, Patagonia

From Bariloche, it would be another 2 straight days on a bus to get to the town of El Chalten, Argentina.  By now, we’ve grown accustomed to the long bus rides and pass the time by rotating the Kindle e-reader (don’t know how we would survive without it!  I’ve read more books in the past month than the previous 3 years!), the iPod and the computer. 

Fitz Roy is one of the more “classic” treks of Patagonia.  After all the time we spent reading and researching this place, we were captivated by the iconic peaks as they came in to view. 

Our first look at Mount Fitz Roy…

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IMG_1705 With one main paved road and no stop lights, tiny El Chalten is Argentina’s newest city… a loose collection of hostels, restaurants and shops selling trekking gear and provisions.  

The trailhead is a short walk from our hostel… we packed our bags, made a reservation for our return (leaving whatever we did not need for the next few days), and hit the trail.  On this trek, we would camp for two nights, hike for three….

IMG_1700 IMG_3417 El Chalten fading away in the distance

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At the end of day 1, we have great views of ‘El Torres’ (the towers).  After setting up camp, we enjoyed spending time along the shores of this glacier-fed lake… Lago Torre.  These mini icebergs lined the shore as chunks of Glacier Grande would flake off and make their way across the lake to the rocky shores on which we were sitting.

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A 2-hour hike from camp would take us up close to Glacier Grande…

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IMG_1634 Our tent set up next to Roy’s… we met up with him again after initially meeting him in San Pedro (northern Chile) several weeks ago.

IMG_1618 A falcon (??) wandering through camp

 

The next couple of days, we would circumnavigate Mount Fitz Roy… relatively easy, flat hiking in the valley… definitely our speed.

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On the last day, we stopped along one of the several lakes to eat lunch.  A perfect time to kick back, relax and soak our weary feet in the cool water.

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IMG_3509 An actual  red-heading woodpecker… and we thought they only existed in cartoons!

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Back in El Chalten… it was nice to be able to hike directly back to town (no bus rides or connections)

IMG_1540 Llamas… we’re guessing they’re used as pack animals for day trips to the park… if we had only known… : –)

More wildlife throughout town… getting attacked by a Patagonian Bear (or maybe it’s a Golden Retriever… not quite sure)

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3 comments:

  1. I am running out of words to say how fantastic is your adventure. The contrast of the peaks add a majesty. Wow. I just thought so something I have not said.....THANK YOU...for allowing me to share the adventure. Love ya.

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  2. Hi Guys--Great photos!--some of the best so far. I think a great candidate for your wall would be that last photo of Fitz Roy, in the sun, and with the windswept trees at the left--very dramatic! L/Y Dad

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  3. These are great photos, just as you said they were!! Great job Jen and Scott!!

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