el chalten.
laguna torre.
getting up way too early to hike to the glacial lake laguna torre. unfortunately it’s pretty cloudy. all i can see from a viewpoint is a bit of the peak of the fitzroy but the rest of the range is in clouds. at least it doesn’t rain. the hike along the lake offers more natural entertainment: a bit of snowfall and permanently changing strong winds that demand concentration while hiking on the moraine. it always looks so easy but it can blow you off the ridge any second. good fun.
laguna de los tres.
i start the hike to the laguna de los tres at 7 am. after jogging up the hills for the first 3 km through the drizzling rain i return to the hostel again: nothing but clouds at the first lookout.
around noon it clears up a bit and i give it another try. it’s typical mountain weather: the river valley has sunny weather and the route that leads to the fitzroy is in clouds. although it’s getting better the further i go, the glaciers and mountains stay invisible in the clouds. bad luck. i return and enjoy the alternative lookout: it doesn’t offer a fitzroy but it’s impressive enough to sit in the sun and look around for an hour. take what you get or cry.
talking about changing weather: when the bus returns to el calafate two hours later somebody yells to stop the bus. when we get out i understand why. the complete mountain range is suddenly visible. it’s breathtaking. so this is how it could have looked like. i don't know if it would have been better had i not seen it. i missed quite a bit. it’s frustrating but nature simply can’t be controlled. some pictures must do. maybe more luck in my next life.
getting up way too early to hike to the glacial lake laguna torre. unfortunately it’s pretty cloudy. all i can see from a viewpoint is a bit of the peak of the fitzroy but the rest of the range is in clouds. at least it doesn’t rain. the hike along the lake offers more natural entertainment: a bit of snowfall and permanently changing strong winds that demand concentration while hiking on the moraine. it always looks so easy but it can blow you off the ridge any second. good fun.
laguna de los tres.
i start the hike to the laguna de los tres at 7 am. after jogging up the hills for the first 3 km through the drizzling rain i return to the hostel again: nothing but clouds at the first lookout.
around noon it clears up a bit and i give it another try. it’s typical mountain weather: the river valley has sunny weather and the route that leads to the fitzroy is in clouds. although it’s getting better the further i go, the glaciers and mountains stay invisible in the clouds. bad luck. i return and enjoy the alternative lookout: it doesn’t offer a fitzroy but it’s impressive enough to sit in the sun and look around for an hour. take what you get or cry.
talking about changing weather: when the bus returns to el calafate two hours later somebody yells to stop the bus. when we get out i understand why. the complete mountain range is suddenly visible. it’s breathtaking. so this is how it could have looked like. i don't know if it would have been better had i not seen it. i missed quite a bit. it’s frustrating but nature simply can’t be controlled. some pictures must do. maybe more luck in my next life.