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- 14.02.2020, 14:00
- ⛅ 9 °C
- Höhe über NN: 403 m
- ArgentinienSanta Cruz ProvinceDepartamento de Lago ArgentinoEl Chaltén49°19’27” S 72°53’32” W
El Chalten
14. Februar 2020 in Argentinien ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Day 471
We arrived in El Chalten and I was quick to pay the price for becoming slightly over excited with the mountain views when the wind wasted no time in nearly removing my door from the car. As it stands I can no longer exit via the drivers door - but remaining positive, we made it here safe and ready for some trekking!
On the advice from the tourist office we would trek tomorrow before the unsafe winds rolled on in, which meant we needed a hearty meal this evening. Delicious cheesey mash, fried onion and sausage was on the menu as we continue to get more extravagant with our limited outdoor cooking facilities and constant battle with the wind.
Woke at sunrise to clear skies and so wasted no time in shooting off, in fact slightly earlier than advised which it turns out we would most definitely pay the price for. Battled one of the hardest climbs yet but it was certainly the most picturesque trek to date. Reached the peak and quickly realised we had changed climates altogether - it was now snowing and the would be calm glacial lake had formed waves as high as me due to the onslaught of wind. Took shelter behind a rock and tucked into our snow sprinkled sarnies.
Held out in the cold for 30 minutes hoping clouds would clear, brought limbster to the edge of frostbite before I relented (it was valentines day after all!) and we ran back down the face of the mountain. As if by magic the second we made it down the steep climb the clouds cleared and the peaks couldn't have been clearer - absolutely gutted. But silver lining meant incredible views the entire trek back - and we couldn't get enough of old Mt Fitzroy in all its glory.
Slight panic re Jengibre after thinking lights had been left on - couldn't have been more relieved when this wasn't the case upon arrival. Oh yeah we named the van Jengibre, it seemed the most logical fit.
Splashed out on the luxury of a piping hot shower at a local hostel, real treat to celebrate our success and we certainly made the most of that scolding hot water. Wasted away our afternoon sipping on patagonian beer and admiring the cheeky armadillo running mayham all around our camper. Another new animal for limbster who was very much caught off guard by this large unknown shelled animal scuppering around her shoes.
When the winds rolled in we headed for the only sensible place, the local chocolateria in a proper mountain cabin. Fresh hot chocolate and plenty of samples to waste away the cold day. Planned another big trek for the following morning, questioning whether we're crazy and hoping the fitness can hold up.
With the sun out and fulls views of Fitzroy giving us the thumbs up the following morning we shot up the first 8km of the trek, avoiding over protective cows and clambering through foot thick snow, not the t rexs of course - they avoided snow at all and any cost, frost bite would actually be a reality if not. Incredible views at top and whole 360 degrees to ourself. Consoled after feeling slightly unlucky yesterday and now both on top of the world. This was at least for 5 minutes until the ice cold wind came from nowhere and limbster instantly froze, at least she got to eat lunch first.
A few hand rubs later and circulation was back, we headed back down through the snow and into the forest. Restocked on vino in town upon arrival, feeling like we had well and truly smashed El Chalten even if we are totally wiped out!
Tomorrow we head north, and just a little at that - 700km of pure patagonia driving...Weiterlesen