In March 2006, I signed up for an insane trek through some of the wildest parts of Patagonia. We trekked for up to 14 hours a day through magnificent but daunting country. The saving grace was that there was always a camp waiting for us at the end of the day and a bottle of Malbec in our make-shift camp!
I had a small 4MP Nikon camera with throw-away AA batteries; but Patagonia looks amazing whatever photographic gear you may have.
We trudged off into the wilderness with little idea of what lay ahead.
On some days we crossed some challenging glaciers like the Tunel Glacier here....
.....and on other days we walked through areas which had been covered by glaciers just 30 years ago.
This was our camp at the end of our first day's 14 hour slog. The most welcome sight ever. However, there always seemed to be rocks under our sleeping bags!
We were sometimes followed by groups of wild horses who were very curious
about these strangers in their midst
Another tough day. A 15-hour slog to El Calafate via a cliff face
On the way down to El Calafate, we looked like ants against this landscape.
I always seemed to be at the back of the pack!
The final hurdle before reaching El Calafate--we had to be winched across the river
in a very rickety device that screeched like a banshee.
On another trek, we passed through this amazing valley. We endured a 90 mph gale
and had to camp near Toro Lagoon beneath a hanging glacier on Mount Huemul.
On the way up to the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, we had to cross nine icy rivers.
It was a dreadful slog up to the top......
....but the views above the snow line were awe-inspiring.
Our fearless guides who refused to leave me behind to die in peace.
The Southern Patagonian Ice Field which runs between Argentina and Chile for some 200 miles.
The only small problem was that you had come back and it was getting dark.
Near Cerro Torre at the end of our final trek. This was just a day trek.
Mount McKinley through the clouds and mist
Ice floes on Lake Viedma
Cerro Torre
The Perito Moreno Glacier from the lake.
Admiring the view. Our "lodging" was somewhere down there.
A truly magnificent experience--in retrospect only!!
Such an intrepid traveler you are, Ian! Claudio and I were in the Chilean side of Patagonia two weeks ago but in the comfort of either a bus (to Torres del Paine) or a small ship (through the magnificent Campo de Hielo Sur). We were only a day trip away from El Calafate but we definitely didn't want to rush it so it will be a separate trip. No place like Patagonia for breathtaking scenery!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment, Maricoy. It is hard to believe that our insane journey was almost 10 years ago. I wonder if I could the same again? The oldest guy on the trip was 73 so maybe there is hope for me yet. However, he did say that he would never do anything like that again!! But you are right, Patagonia is wild and breathtaking. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip on the Chilean side.
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