Today was incredible. I know I will see some amazing things in the next month, but I'm fairly certain this will be in the top 3. There really are no words, and pictures barely do it justice.
Sadly, I left my battery in my DSLR and it got stuck on, rookie mistake. Note: remove your camera battety during travel to ensure it stays charged! Lucky for me my phone takes pretty quality photos. I still may go back anyway before this trip is over. Definitely in this lifetime.
Some girls at my Hostel recommended a small travel agency down here and I am very glad I used them. They are called BAFT (Backpack Free Travel). They pick you up, book all necessary travel, and even teach you about everything on the drive (in Spanish and English!). And it's all ridiculously reasonable prices. Anyway, I learned much more than the folks who took public transportation (only a $10 difference) and I got a free beer and empinada at the end!
We hiked around for a few hours and then took a boat up to the South face of the glacier. I could give you a bunch of facts about the park but it's faster (and more accurate) for you to google it. I highly suggest it!
I also have been meeting so many incredible people and it was only day 2! One couple at breakfast was from Vancouver, and the girl I spent my day with is from Oregon. It always amazes me how small this big world really is.
On our return ride I was the only one awake, so I chatted with our guide and helped solidify my next step in the trip. I really came down here with no itinerary, it's the best way to do it if you have the time. Word of mouth is by far the best travel agent there is! I had originally planned to hike in Torres Del Paine, but I struggled with booking Refugios, and wasn't stoked on camping alone in one of the windiest places in the world, not to mention the park is super expensive. It just wasn't adding up to my desire for the purpose of my trip. Plus, our guide informed me that El Chalten is the same landscape, better views, less trouble etc. After all my weighing of options I made the decision to use that time elsewhere, perhaps off the typical tourist map. (Everyone here is pretty much doing the same thing, either coming from or going to your next destination.) It makes up to date information super easy to get.
So, today I am using the same travel agent. They pick me up, drive me to another remote location. We then embark on a 5 hour horse-back ride to a viewpoint of Mt Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, glacier fields etc. We stay at a local hostel and they drive me to the bus station Sunday where I will travel to El Chalten for however long I decide to stay. So excited for more adventure!!
I probably won't have internet this next 4-5 days so don't worry if you don't hear from me. If I have the chance I will update when I can. For now, enjoy some pictures. Choosing a few from the hundreds I took was difficult!
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| Me with Perido Moreno behind |
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| It's nearly impossible to get it to scale, but this one helps show how massive it is. The entirety of this glacier is bigger than Buenos Aires! |
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| If this video works, I was lucky to catch ice fall on camera. I apologize for the volume and screaming. This guy next to me was on day 2 trying to catch them on film and he didn't even catch any |
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| The rocks reminded me so much of Maine |
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