El Chaltén - day 1

The weather forecast looked for next two days very promising so we wanted to use the good weather and do the top activities in the area. Normally if the tourists come just for a day it is recommended to do the hike to Laguna de los tres - the most remarkable hike in the area to the beautiful turquoise lake right below the famous mountain Fitz Roy. The hike is also very challenging and not for everyone. The route is in total 25 km long with the very steep and technical part at the end before reaching the lake. On average the hike takes between 8-10 hours. We were unsure if we can do it. We needed to get food and drinks for the day as not an opportunity to buy something and also to rent sticks. The gear rental shop was opening at 9 o’clock so it could be too late for departure. Patagonian summer days are fortunately long enough (sunset around 22:30) so we departed 9:20 and left for one of our best adventures so far. Quite quickly we gained the first high meters and overpassed lot of not very fit hikers. The trail wasn’t that packed so we could easily move along different viewpoints and river crossings till the small rest stop under the “1km left // hard part is starting the trail will take 1 more hour” sign. Here the part was very steep, rocky and slippery. People were also already going down so there was traffic in both directions. Totally exhausted we arrived on the top and we’re rewarded with magnificent views of the lagoon and Fitz Roy mountain. I continued alone to the bottom of the lake until reaching on the left side the viewpoint of laguna Sucia. We had nice lunch and rest a bit before going back to town. The way down was long and we could feel the lack of energy after a long hike. We arrived after 9 hours back to village tired and happy. As a reward we got some drinks and dinner and went to bed. Next day gonna be an adventure as well.Read more