Patagonia – El Chalten – 2 Walks

Dear Reader (2015-01-24)
Some of you may have noticed that I walked the W Trek (Chilean Patagonia and 5 posts) after walking in Argentine Patagonia, and yet I have only posted about the former. So, let’s visit the El Chalten region in Argentina, where I walked for three days. Now I could show you photographs that are similar to ones you have already seen, but what’s the fun in that?

The images in today’s posts are from two walks. There is a short walk to and from a waterfall. There is also a walk to a viewpoint for Mt. Fitz Roy.
~ Senda Chorrillo del Salto – Distance < 5k, Elevation Gain and Loss no, out and back
~ Senda Laguna de Los Tres – Distance 22k ish, Elevation Gain and Loss 1,050 m, point to point

Fitz Roy is often obscured by clouds and the day I walked the Senda (Trail) Laguna de Los Tres was one of those days. That trail also had the most people on a trail that I have ever experienced. I was dropped off from a shuttle bus where a bridge crosses a stream. The first 8 km or so is a very enjoyable valley route with moderate inclination. At about the 9.0 km mark there is a sign that says and I am paraphrasing. “That was fine, now get ready to huff and puff with many others because the next 1 km is going to take you an hour. The sign also says there is an outhouse here, but we suggest you don’t use it because it is the most toxic thing you will ever see. Instead, we suggest you use a tree and burry your tp.” Actually the sign just says 1 hour to lookout in English and Spanish.

Notes on Photos
01 to 04 – To and from waterfall
01 – That is natural and not an example of Patagonia topiary.
05 – 09 – To and from Mt. Fitz Roy lookout
07 – What an enjoyable forest.
08 – That peak on the left is Mt. Fitz Roy, and that is as a clear a capture as I got of the elusive mountain.
09 – Mt. Fitz Roy is off to the right by over 100 degrees (or 3:30).