Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
Last day in the park we spend in the " Reserva Provincial Lago Del Desierto ".
We check the weather and conditions are good... Very little wind.
We are heading towards the glacier " Huemul "
This is the name of the small deer representative of Patagonia that gave its name to one of the many glaciers in the region.
The path leading there is a fairy walk through a very dense forest and along a waterfall. On arrival we discover at its foot a lagoon of an absolutely unique turquoise blue.
It’s a pity the sun is not there.
Evening dedicated to the preparation of the rest of the trip.
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
Our friends have to leave us to continue their journey, they still have many countries to visit before returning towards the end of June.
We are sure to see each other on the road or back in France.
Today another hike is scheduled for 6 km and against all expectations no "racket" : it’s free.
Slightly less physical than the previous day, it crosses an environment composed of imposing and impressive rocks before entering a wet meadow to arrive at the "Mirador Del Torre"
There also : breathtaking spectacle ... The massif is completely clear and appears to us under a blue sky azure and sun
After 4 hours of walking, back to the bivouac to spend the rest of the day recovering.
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
Relaxing day ... It is a time of "All Saints" ... Normal : we are on November 1st.
Low and grey ceiling, temperature dropping down to a maximum of 8°....
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
It’s the D day, we’re going up to the " Fitz Roy ".
At once majestic, solemn, terrifying and mythical, the mount Fitz Roy, also called Cerro Chaltén, points its granite spire towards the sky, at 3405 m of altitude.
The Cerro Fitz Roy is the local emblem and symbol of the province: its representation can be found on the flag of the region as well as on the coat of arms of El Chaltén.
The ascent of Fitz Roy is one of the hardest mountains to climb, if not the most difficult: indeed, its granite wall and the often extreme climatic conditions at this place, make the ascent of the site particularly difficult and vertiginous.
We do not climb to the "Laguna De los Tres" last stage of a 18 km hike, lasting 8-9 hours and of the level "difficult".
We are satisfied with the hike "Campamento Poincenot" of 16 km and a duration of 5.30 hours and classified level "average"
The ascent is made through various landscapes with as backdrop the massif of the "Fizt Roy" constituted by two mountain ranges: that of the Fitz Roy and that of the Cerro Torre.
The weather is fine but the massif is not fully discovered ... !!!
We return quietly to the camper after 6 hours 20 minutes walk ... Needless to say that the evening will be short ... Early bed
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
The weather is not good, it’s not today that we will go climb towards the "Fitz Roy"
We spend the morning cleaning up and decide after lunch to take a little walk.
Our choice is the hike " Mirador De Las Aguilas " of 2 km ... Once again, we can not take it free of charge.
We are disappointed with the information provided by the information centre. In two words, 26 euros for 2 km. it is far too expensive for such a little treck!
However we find a small, free hike along the "Rio De Las Vueltas".
End of afternoon relax before a new good evening with our friends and board games.
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
This morning the weather is good again.
Several hikes, of different levels and length, start from the village. However these are tolled ... No matter the length or difficulty, the rate is unique and remains exorbitant for foreigners.
The amount is 26 euros until 31 October and then increases to 39 euros ... A true "raclet"
We choose to go for a walk in the north of the park towards the "Lago Del Desierto".
We do not reach our destination ... Strong wind and huge gusts prevent us from getting there.
The Bourasques are so strong that they throw rocks at vehicles by breaking windows and windshields
We turn back to avoid breakage.
On our return, we find our friends with a broken handbrake on the camper ... A mechanic works on their vehicle.
After lunch, second attempt for a short hike to the "Chorillo Del Salto". We are accompanied by Fanny and the two boys, Pascal staying with the mechanic.
Arrived at the start of the course, we are surprised that the guard asks us to pay access! We refuse and go by road to reach this waterfall.
Tonight we change our bivouac to take refuge in the parking lot of the park information center sheltered from the wind.
Dinner with friends. Tonight Chrisophe cooked some " spaghetti bolognese " and Jean-Pierre made an apricot clafouti. We end the evening by playing cards ... Once again we stand out for our performances!!!
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
The night was rocked by strong winds ... Sleep was short!!!
In addition, the rain invited itself and it remained all day.
Mandatory rest, that allows us to sort the photos and work on the site.
Evening "card games " after dinner
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
Yesterday we met "Fanny, Pascal, Mathis and Louca" a French family who has been travelling in a camper for the past few months. Their journey started with a part of Africa before discovering South America.
We are travelling in the same direction: Ushuaia. We are travelling the same route, but with our own rhyme.
After checking the weather flrecast which differs according to the sites on the internet, we leave in direction of " El Chalten ".
We get information on the road condition: 348 km of paved roads ... Actually the first part is a "ripio" road... Once again we can’t rely on the official website!!
We start quite late and drive as always through a desert landscape, but nevertheless beautiful. We thought we’d spend the night halfway but the strong winds are pushing us towards our final destination ... We are joined by Pascal’s family and finish the journey together.
Our arrival in the park is greeted by an extraordinary view of the "Fitz Roy" that appears in late afternoon colors ... We are all amazed by the spectacle that is offered to us.
Generally, it is very difficult to see, often hidden by permanent clouds
We set up on the parking dedicated to motorhomes.
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares * El Chalten * Fitz Roy
El Chaltén is considered the national capital of trekking and hiking.
This village is nestled in one of the most beautiful places at the confluence of the Fitz Roy and Las Vueltas rivers. It is particularly known for its proximity to the majestic granite spires of Fitz Roy and Torre, respectively 3405 m and 3128 m high. It is the starting point for hikes that lead to these magical and wonderful places.
The true story of El Chaltén as a village began in 1981 when Argentina and Chile signed the “Tratado de los Límites” to resolve the border conflicts between the two countries. However, the treaty was not respected and on October 12th 1985, the municipality of El Chaltén was created to allow the Argentinian territory to finally take over the place and thus consolidate the borders.
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