PATAGONIA!

The weather has definitely turned chilly in Buenos Aires, but it’s far more mild here than down south in Patagonia! That’s why I made a point to visit that gorgeous region way back in the early autumn of April, before deep winter set in.  I very easily convinced my Fulbright colleague and friend Lili to join me on a little sojourn to the south, and it ended up being a great “team-building” experience for us. We learned that the name Patagonia comes from the Patagones, the name given by Magellan and his crew to the native people there because of their supposedly big feet.  

We didn’t have time to drive for days along the famous Route 40, so we flew to the town of El Calafate in the province of Santa Cruz, touching down for a couple of hours in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, the most southern city in the world.  Visitors go to El Calafate to access the famous Perito Moreno glacier, one of Argentina’s many natural treasures—and to sample locally raised lamb and artesanal beers. (We did all of these things.) Perito Moreno is the third largest glacier in Parque Nacional los Glaciares at 254 km². The larger glaciers are not even accessible.  From what we saw, the park, which opened in 1937, is very well managed and hiking and camping are very controlled.  I’ll write only a little bit more and let the photos speak for themselves....  

Later we spent two nights in El Chaltén, a small village of 400 residents founded in 1985. It’s located 220 km from El Calafate on the north side of the park. Actually, it’s located *IN* the park limits. When the bus drops you off, you first must attend an orientation on park ethics at the ranger center before you can even walk around the town. The town is dotted by trailheads that take you up into beautiful hills and even to the jagged peak called El Chaltén or Fitz Roy, a world-class epic feat for rock climbers.  The air is so pure, as is the water that is safe to drink directly from the river.  Soooo great! 

Have I mentioned that I love Argentina? J