Hiking toward Loma Del Pliegue Tumbado

We were all pretty worn out from rattling along on our bike ride yesterday (and probably the accumulation of activities!), so we opted for a shorter hike for our last day with Sebastian.

The overcast weather had returned, so we weren’t going to get clear views of the mountain spires even if we did hike higher up. Instead , we had a pleasant, though steadily uphill, hike through rolling grasslands, low scrub brush and some forest. The varied shades of green and yellows contrasted nicely with the rocky mountainsides above us.

After about 3-1/2 miles of hiking (in the wind, of course!), we found a protected spot in the forest for our packed lunches. Sebastian brought his mate and showed us way to prepare and drink this beverage. The mate is the infusion that is prepared with Yerba mate leaves, as well as the name of the vessel for drinking from. Most mate “cups” are made with wood or a pumpkin gourd.

In non-COVID times we might all have shared the beverage as all Argentinians do, but we were mere observers this time.

After lunch, we returned the way we came, looking down to El Chalten in the valley. After an afternoon snack at Sebastian’s bakery (which only opened 3 weeks ago), a driver came to take us back to El Califate.Read more