El Chalten - One Last Amazing Hike

For the last beautiful day in El Chalten, we decided to hike to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, which we were recommended by the visitor's office the previous day. It is a 20km return hike just a short 20 minute walk out of town and would take us around 8h without breaks. The elevation gain would be around 1000m, but relatively evenly stretched over the entire length of the hike - apart from the last bit to the summit, which would be significantly steeper.

Anyway, we set off early - again to avoid the ridiculous $45 p.P. park fees - and were making good progress. We thought the hike would be a bit more difficult, but the gradual ascent didn't feel too strenuous as we were walking through open fields, forests and gravel. Once out of the forest, we started to have a beautiful sight of the summit - our end goal - without yet knowing the amazing view it would reveal.

It took us around 3.5h to arrive at the first viewpoint, which was already magnificent. While we couldn't see Fitz Roy from the front, we were now able to look at it from the side, with Lago Torres (our first hike in El Chalten) placed in front of us and the mountain range to Fitz Roy's left showing its entire glory. It was a beautiful day with hardly any clouds in the blue sky.

We lingered at the viewpoint for a fair while, had our snacks and were enjoying the beauty of nature. However, the hike was not done yet, as we still wanted to go to the summit.

So, we packed our things for the last bit. To be fair, it didn't look too steep, but turned out to be quite the challenge. It took us around 30-45 minutes to reach the summit, but, oh boy, was it worth it. Once I arrived there, the view was literally breath-taking. I would almost, almost, go as far and say that this hike/view is better than that of Fitz Roy.

The entire mountain range unfolded in front of us and we got sort of a bird's eye view of it.
Plus, it was incredibly peaceful, as there were hardly any people up there. I could've marvelled at the sight for hours. The only slight drawback was that it was a bit windy, so dad and I quickly looked for a spot to protect us from the wind. This time, I think both of us took a little nap up there. Afterwards, we, of course, had to take some amazing pictures with the stunning mountains in the background.

It was our last hike in Patagonia, but it certainly was a picture-perfect one. I am still amazed by the view as I am writing this, so magnificent was it to be up there and see the incredible landscape there with my own eyes.
I didn't want to leave, but the wind became rather cold and after a long time on the summit, it was time to go back. Going down from the summit was a bit challenging, but fun, as it was rather steep and one had to be careful not to slip. Once we mastered this little section, though, it was a very long way back home and especially the end felt like it was dragging on for ages. This might be the only drawback of hiking in Patagonia - often you have to take the same way back that you had taken, which limits the variety of that particular hike. This is complaining at a very high level, however.

With that, our last hike in Patagonia was over. The next day it literally rained the entire day, so there was nothing really to do outside and we chatted, played games, did some life admin, planning, etc. For the last day in El Chalten, which was also New Year's Eve, we decided to take it slow, reflect on everything and soak in the atmosphere of this Argentinean Mecca of Hiking. New Year's was actually rather non-existing, with no countdown, no fireworks, no really big events or parties (just one, really). But we still went to a bar, had a drink, counted down the old year and welcomed the new year with a smile, a hug, hopes, dreams and general happiness. After all, we were in PATAGONIA!

With that, we left Patagonia the next day to travel to the very north of Argentina. I can genuinely say that Patagonia is an amazing region with absolutely spectacular landscape and some of the most beautiful mountain ranges and formations that I have ever seen. It was truly stunning to hike in that remote part of the world. And to share that experience with my dad, who had talked about wanting to go to Patagonia for years, made this whole time with him even more special for me and, I think, also for him. I was positively surprised and proud of his endurance and enthusiasm to do as many hikes as possible - even if some of them were really long. Well done dad. Off to our next adventure!Read more