Sunday, February 12, 2012

El Chaltén, Argentina - Patagonia

Cerro Torre

We travelled further north staying in El Chaltén, Argentina, which is a little town at the base of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre mountain ranges, which are some of the toughest climbs in the world. El Chaltén is the trekking capital of Argentina, situated in the north of Los Glaciares National Park, and all the treks start in town so most can be done in a day.There isn't much in the town itself apart from hostels, and restaurants, but that's not why you travel here.The first day we had some nice weather, but the tops of the peaks were hidden by clouds. We however headed out to trek up to a peak Lomo del Pliegue Tumbado at 1490m which gives a panorama view of the mountain ranges. It was awesome. The walk headed through some farms before climbing through this beautiful forrest, then emerging above the tree line to a clear view of both Fitz Roy (at 3405m) and Cerro Torre(3102m) ranges, and the glacier separating the two. Cerro Torre was still hidden but just before heading back it peeked it's head out. Cerro Torre was claimed to be first climbed in the 1950s, however one of the two climbers, who happened to be the photographer, perished on the descent so there was never any proof. Recently a team of climbers tried to follow the route taken but found it impossible... Sounds like an episode of The Simpsons...The following couple of days the mountains were again hidden. Lucky to have had a superb day!

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment