Baileys on Ice

Due to the painfully slow internet I used to write my last blog I dont think my full excitement was able to show through the frustration. So I want to give the full credit to El Chalten that is due. While a new town (only one year older than me...1985 settlement if you HAVE to ask) El Chalten was so quaint and adorable it was no wonder that so many people flock there. It is the quintessential stop for any trip to Patagonia, in my opinion. With, maybe, a hundred buidings, only half of them are finished. Regardless of the size of the town the surrounding mountains are amazing. Cerro Torres the mountain rainge and Fitz Roy were unbelievable. We had the amazing luck of seeing them both on our first day. On our next day we took a 4 hour walk (8 hour total) to Lago Torres. Beautiful trails up and over hills, through the forest, over streams, throuh marsh (if you are like us and got lost...trusty Giibs navigation strikes again). The end result was a lake with a glacier at the end. Didn´t stay long due to the strong wind, but was still an amazing sight. Legs definitely felt like rubber when I got back though.

We spent the previous night at the microbrewery (where I saw a $2 Bermuda note...huge excitement there). Amazing meal with spinach ravioli filled with squash and the best beer I have had in months. Made on site Bock and Pilsner. Tasted like heaven. To make up for our expensive dinner the night before we cooked dinner the next and spent the rest of the evening playing Shithead (that is the name of the card game so excuse the language)with a group on a tour bus and then an early, and much appreciated, nights sleep.

Next day we woke up pretty sore but very excited to visit Glaciar Viedma, the largest glacier in Argentina (so they say). Took a boat tour out, got blown about on top while we took pictures, and even saw a few pieces fall off!

The trully breathtaking part was walking on top of the glaciar. After getting our...major brain fart here, too tired...clangons clampons (feel free to laugh I wont be offended)....anyways you know what I mean, the spiky things on bottom of your shoes. Ok once we got those things (wow really tired) on we had a quick introduction (DONT SIT ON THE ICE, lean forward on way up, lean back on way down) we were off. Beautiful crevices, deep blue ice, crunchy ice on top, streams on their way down. Absolutely incredible! After a few treacherous moments and a few jokes about my descents (apparently I look like I am doing the limbo when I go down...I WAS SCARED) we reached the top and was treated by our three guides to Baileys on ice. Real ice. Glaciar ice. Lets just say they have ruined Baileys on ice forever for me. I will never have a more beautiful, delicious, and well deserved drink. Coffee and a chocolate on the boat ride back. Never have I spent a wiser $80USD.

Evening bus ride back to El Calafate and Glacier Moreno tomorrow morning.