The Ultimate Spring Break - Chapter Three: El Chaltén

El Chaltén, Santa Cruz - Argentina. Breathtaking. Mankind with all of our city skylines can't recreate the chiseled majesty of these glacier-carved peaks. We traveled from Calafate to Chaltén by tourbus with hopes of hiking and camping in a truly beautiful place. After our arrival we found a bakery and grocery store where we stocked up on bread, crackers, soup, pasta, and dulce de leche which is the peanut-butter of Argentina for my State-side readers. We strapped on our packs and began our trekking.


After about two and a half to three hours of hiking, we arrived at Laguna Torre, a glacial lake named for Cerro Torre, the highest peak behind us in this photo. We set up our little campsite along the river stemming from the lake from which we could drink as much unfiltered water as we wanted. It was amaaazing! The water was perfect. Cold and clean.


The national park service had a "letrina" for our use available less than 100 meters from our site. It was basically really gross. But, all part of the experience. That night at our campsite, we discovered that we had failed to purchase and bring a vital part of our camp stove, the fuel hose. Ummm...very smooth. Well, since no fires were allowed in the park we made the most of our bread and crackers and dulce de leche. The adventure continued...


We took our time getting started the second day. We explored Laguna Torre more in the morning, hiking around the lake before packing up and moving onto the next checkpoint. During our afternoon trek we moved higher in elevation and passed two more lakes, Lagunas Madre e Hija (Mother and Daughter) shown in this picture. As we walked along the shore of Lagune Madre, Cerro Fitzroy came into view once again. Without a doubt it is the most impressive of the peaks.


Before arriving at our next designated camping area, we walked through a large wetland and marsh that eventually transformed into an ominous wood. It was late in the afternoon and overcast. The waning light gave the trees a haunted look. I have to admit my imagination worked up about a thousand scary stories that turned into a few dreams during the night in our little tent. The wind blew through the treetops all night long screaming above us. Shivers down my spine.


The next morning we were visited by a new friend, this kitten. Aaawww - He hung out with us in our tent all morning while we napped and read. He fell asleep inside our sleeping bags. Brian decided to hike up to another lookout point while we chilled and packed up the campsite.


We began our hike back to El Chaltén in the early afternoon with Cerro Fitzroy always at our backs. The river valley was gorgeous. We arrived back in the village in time to clean up and find something to eat before catching our bus back to El Calafate.


I'll never forget the peace and tranquility of this place. The silent grandeur of the cliff faces, the clear running streams and rivers, the taste of the ice-cold water, the soreness between my shoulders, the smell of the "letrinas." It was all so unforgettable. Nothing compares to being still, just still, in the middle such unadulterated beauty. A taste of heaven, I think.