El Chalten – November 28 & 29, 2011

We decide to back track and visit El Chalten and the mighty Mt Fitz Roy. We’d spoken to many people who had spent days in this tiny town in the northern end of the Los Glaciers National Park and only glimpsed the mountain as the clouds drifted in and out.

It’s a blustery ride – so what’s new. As we pass the lake on the outskirts of El Calafete we see more icebergs. We aren’t bored with the sight.

 

 

As we ride to the town we can see the twin peaks of Mt Fitz Roy. It seems we are blessed again with blue skies and a wind that has blown the clouds well away. As we get close to El Chalten we pass Lake Viedma and there, in the distance, is the Viedma Glacier. A couple of icebergs float away from it. Taking photos in the high wind is a challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the outskirts of El Chalten we get the perfect view of the tiny town and the massive mountains. It’s the same view we have from our hotel room window. We are blessed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a trekking town. There are several long, arduous treks to the base of Mt Fitz Roy and climbers tackle the mountain itself. For us the option of the walk to the view of the condors and a view over lake Viedma.  Magnificent!

 

 

 

We take a ride out to Lago Desierto. It’s a dirt road – of course! The mountains tower over us and the river races through green pastures. As we reach the lake there is a chain across the road. This is the end of the line. Chile is on the other side of the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Chalten – another great spot.