El Chalten, Patagonia, Argentina

A three hour bus ride, a couple hours to buy food and rent equipment, and we were back out on the trail. El Chalten boasts similar attractions to Torres del Paine, but the hikes are a little shorter, and it seems to be more lush. Our first day was sunny and beautiful again, and now that we were hardened hikers, we tore up the trail.

I missed the memo, but T and Mark both brought their black socks. You know it´s business time, that´s why they call them business socks.

The views on the hike were awesome, the Fitzroy was in full view about an hour into the hike.

After about 3 hours up, we hit the campsite and set up shop. This is the view from the door of our tent.

Another hour up we arrived at Lago do los Tres, a clear deep blue glacier lake at the foot of the Fitzroy. One of the coolest places I´ve ever been.

The hot sunny weather left us no choice, had to take a dip.

It was really, really cold.

As well as getting us in better shape, our hike in Chile also tought us some very important lessons about packing for hiking trips. Most importantly how to pack light: as little unecessary clothing as possible, and lots of light dry foods. That way, you minimize the weight and size of your bag....

and that way you have room for more wine.

The next day was about an hour hike to another glacier lake. Unfortunately the weather wasn´t so nice that day....no swimming.

After we got back from the mini hike, it was time to pack up campe and head to the next campsite. However, all being hungover, and already at an awesome campsite, we made the call to stay another night, and just pull a 7 hour day the next day.

The next day, we had one more glacier/lake to see. After a snack there we headed down to the basecamp. We decided after this one we´ve seen enough glaciers for now. Which works out well, as I don´t think we´ll be seeing too many in Africa, India, SE Asia or Oz.

Back down at the base camp, enjoying a few cervezas. Ahhhh...another tought day at the office.

Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina

After a couple days rest after the hike in Chile, we headed back to Argentina, to a town called El Calafate which is in the heart of Patagonia on the Argentina side. About an hour´s bus ride away is the Moreno Glacier. Apparently it´s one of the few remaining glaciers in the world that it stable (it regenerates as fast as it melts). Absolutely beautiful, and the sunny hot weather was a nice change from chile.

Torres del Paines, Patagonia, Chile

hello all. as previously mentionned we were on our way to patagonia. Thanks to paul and mine engineering planning and T´s business strategy, we got there, barely. We showed up in Puerto Natales, Chile with little more than hopes and dreams. One such dream, held by team member Thirnan, was the replacement of items he had already lost on this trip, of which there are many. Thanks to the numerous camping oriented stores he was able to replace a coveted shammy towel and travel pillow.

We spent a day planning a 5 day, 86 km, excursion into the wilderness then head off the next morning.

Day 1

we battled into the bush to get in touch with mother nature...
apparently nature comes with an avocado salad courtesy of 2 south africans. The goal of day 1 hike is to get to a small lake up in the mountains, presided over by 3 peaks named the ´Torres´. I liked it.
Day 2

Day 2 was a push to the next campsite. thankfully we felt right at home in what was seemingly the rocky mountains.

we skipped stones on this beach. it was magical.

we shared a moment of deep contemplation. also magical.

T cooking up some grits.

Day 3

We woke up and headed up another valley for a view of some mountains and a glacier. It was fogged in and snowing. Regardless the trek made us better for who we are.
We returned to camp at the base of the valley and headed off for campsite the third. It was harrowing.

There was a turqoise lake. We went to the turquoise lake because I´ve never seen a turquoise lake before and to be honest, I wanted to see one.

Day 4/5

Day 4 was a hike up to a camp beside a large glacier by the name of Grey. On our way there we were enticed with sightings of icebergs fallen from the glacier, because its melting, you know, the whole Al Gore thing.

And here it is..

Some of the icebergs fallen from the shelf float into the nearby bay on the left there.

Paul and I decided to get out on some.

turns out one of the chunks of ice that we got out on was less suited for returning across. Here´s how it went down...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFoTiBzc-gI

Trelew, Argentina

After BA, we headed down to Patagonia for some hiking. On the way, we stopped in at a national reserve to see penguins, elephant seals, and whales (which we didn't see). Other than the penguins, not much else to see. A lot of driving for a little sight seeing. On the bright side, our hostel had cable tv in the rooms and which had a whole bunch of american movie channels. Nice to chill out after Buenos Aires.

I also became a man finally learned how to standard. Very fun...only a couple stalls.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLL! - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ironically no goals were scored in the game at all. Going strictly against Marks moms wishes (sorry Linda) we went to a soccer match in Argentina and it was definatley a highlight on the trip so far. The fans go absolutley nuts throwing things on the feild and chanting the whole game.

Good thing they frisked all the fans before entering the staduim, you would not want anyone of the fans to bring flares or smoke bombs inside; that could get out of hand.

The city of BA has a population of 13 million people and is quite impressive but to be honest we spent a lot of the time partying and sleeping.

The food specifically the steak houses were awesome and reasonably priced. It was a nice change from the cuisine that we got in Bolivia.

Caryn Goldberg and Martine Rubenstein, two girls (accountants) that we met in Argentina and travelled with for about a week. They were from Toronto as well.

The clubs in Argentina did not really get going till 2 am and went to 6 am, making the next day basically a write off. BA was a bit of a blur but good fun.