Mt. Tronador, Argentina

now appearing at streamlet.com

La Montaña
Mt. Tronador
El Bolson
El Catedral
El Calafate
El Chalten
Torres del Paine
Pengüinos
Chiloe
Valparaiso

January 11-12, 2003 Mount Tronador is the highest peak in the Patagonian Andes, its 3555m lying on the international border with Chile. A massive glacier lies at the top of the mountain, making it a very popular destination for technical climbers and those who like to walk on glaciers.

At around 2000m, just below the permanent line of glacial ice, the local Club Andino has built a "Refugio", or shelter, where hikers can sleep, and buy hot meals and drinks including beer and wine. This refugio can get very crowded in the peak season, as will be demonstrated by the photos below.



	This is the minibus, or "collectivo" that took us to Pampa Linda (Beautiful meadow), a glacial valley at the base of Tronador. click here to enlarge



	One of a multitude of mountain lakes we passed on the way to Pampa Linda. click here to enlarge



	Horse stables at Pampa Linda. click here to enlarge



	All the creature comforts are available on the valley floor, including comfortable lodgings and excellent Italian cuisine. click here to enlarge



	The slopes on the way up the mountain are thickly forested with native species. click here to enlarge



	There are also thickets of native bamboo. click here to enlarge



	These horses on are on there way back down from supplying the refugio with cerveza and other important items. click here to enlarge



	Here's a view of one arm of the massive glacier at the top. While I was eating lunch at this viewpoint, I saw an enormous chunk of this glacier break off and crash below with a tremendous thundering roar. click here to enlarge



	At last, the refugio "Otto Meiling"! click here to enlarge



	Enjoying "mate," a nasty tasting beverage that gives you a mild buzz, with some new friends. The locals are quite addicted to this stuff. Most of the people I encountered are Argentinians from Buenos Aires, although there was also a Canadian, a German, a Swiss, and another American (from San Rafael). click here to enlarge



	After a surprising palatable dinner, including bread made in the refugio that day and a few beers, people drifted upstairs to sleep. The room held 43 mattresses wall to wall on the floor. On these mattresses, 80 people slept that night. Luckily, I brought my earplugs to help drown out the snoring. click here to enlarge



	The weather was quite windy and cloudy when I set off the next morning. Occasional glimpses of sunlight provided spectacular vistas like this one. click here to enlarge



	Adios for now. click here to enlarge