The fourth day was our first big trek with a 14 mile, 3,000' hike to Laguna de los Tres at the base of the Fitz Roy massif. Quite possibly my all-time favorite outdoor spot.
1 The early morning view from our hotel room. The weather conditions are absolutely perfect. We're reminded by almost everyone in town that this is NOT normal weather for El Chaltén, which is normally obscured in low clouds with rain and heavy winds.
2 We're driven up a dirt road out of town to a trailhead for the Laguna de los Tres loop. It's supposed to one of the most iconic trails in Patagonia. It definitely did not disappoint.
3 We quickly encounter amazing lookouts of the Piedras Blancas glacier and Laguna de Piedras Blancas below. Our guide shows us pictures of what this view looked like almost 100 years ago with the glacier solid all the way down to the lake. The unfortunate effects of climate change.
4 A look at the icefall at the foot of the Piedras Blancas glacier. The blue colors in the ice are beautiful.
5 Dad and our guide Cecilia walking through the forest of Lenga trees.
6 As we continue on, we get some great views of the Fitz Roy massif to our right.
7 A look back at the Piedras Blancas glacier.
8 Crossing a meadow on our way to the foot of the glacial moraine, and the start of a steep hike up to Laguna de los Tres.
9 The backpacking camp at the base of the moraine.
10 Lots of great creek crossings.
11 Before starting the climb, a sign warns "Se requiere bueno condicíon física" (Good physical condition required). They're not joking! It's interesting that distances on trail signs and maps here are all measured in hours rather than kilometers.
12 Hiking up the toughest section of the trail, almost to the top. The trail here is steep and crowded, but it's already clear the views will be well worth it.
13 The rock stairs heading to the top.
14 Are we there yet?
15 A panoramic look down at the valley below us with Lagunas Madre y Hija in the distance. You can also just see Lago Viedma on the horizon, the second largest glacial lake in Argentina.
16 We made it! Laguna de los Tres below the Fitz Roy massif. One of the most jaw dropping views I have ever encountered. Pictures don't come remotely close to doing it justice.
17 The view from lake level. The glacier is receding but is still amazing.The amount of snow is impressive considering we're here in late Summer. This view is often completely covered in clouds, and the wind so strong you can't stand here for long. We were blessed with absolutely perfect weather today!
18 A look at Laguna Sucia (dirty lake) directly below Laguna de los Tres. It's called dirty because of all the mineral content, but the turquoise color is just mind blowing. And yes, it really does look this turquoise in real life.
19 A closer look at the cascades and waterfalls draining into Laguna Sucia from the glacier above.
20 The water draining from Laguna de los Tres into Laguna Sucia far below.
21 A panoramic view of Laguna de los Tres on the right draining into Laguna Sucia on the left. This view should be on everyone's bucket list! It would probably do wonders for environmental conservation efforts worldwide.
22 I scampered up a little hill near the lake for one last epic view. Then it was time to head back down. Evidently our guide Cecilia was starting to get worried about me.
23 Dad and I at Laguna de los Tres. I hope I can make it here when I'm 81!
24 Heading down now and crossing El Rio Blanco. On the way down, we came across a ranger hiking up the steep trail with a kayak on his back. Evidently he was part of a rescue effort to bring back the bodies of two Czech mountaineers that had perished on Fitz Roy last year.