Here a Trek, there a Trek, Everywhere a Trek Trek

Trip Start Sep 15, 2008
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Trip End Jan 01, 2009


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Flag of Argentina  , Patagonia,
Wednesday, December 31, 2008

After all that relaxation in El Calafate we managed to escape on a 4 hour bus ride to El Chalten, Argentina, which would act as our base for exploring the rest of Glacier National Park.  On the way to El Chalten we made one stop, at a hotel famous for boarding Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for more than a month before they were gunned down in Bolivia during a shootout with Police.  Interesting, but kind of like looking at a washing machine that washed Al Capone's laundry, or a coffee shop where Jesse  James ate some pie...
El Chalten is small!  500 inhabitants during the winter / 3000 during the summer;  the town exists almost solely as a tourist base for the park and what a location it is!  Park trails start at the end of the town's dusty main street and directly behind the city you can spot the jagged peaks of Fitz Roy.  The town is just starting to grow, but given the location and scenery El Chalten is a tourist Mecca on the rise.  Most people stay in town and hit the trails via day hikes.  With free camping in the park, and dorm room prices out of our budget we choose a 3 day trek through the park instead.  Camping in the park meant waking up to views out of this world and saving a few pesos.  With only 3-4 hours of hiking per day the trek was a cake walk compared to Torres Del Paine, but none the less spectacular. 
Day One
Walking in amazing scenery...same old story.  Our first night in the park we camped by a nice creek and ate some soup, exciting!
Day Two
We woke up early for a short hike to checkout a Glacial Lake and try to see some of the mountain peaks.  Unfortunately the peaks were covered with fog and the winds were blowing like crazy (but only around the Glacier).  At times the wind was so strong we couldn't walk and had to lie on the ground, Charis literally was blown over a few times, and our lens cap was caught in the wind and went up!  After enough of the wind we packed up our camp and continued on.  The next 3 hours was another spectacular hike past glacial lakes, thick forests, and views of the Fitz Roy range.  Our camp was in a windy little spot below Lago Tres and the base of Fitz Roy; we downed some pasta and hit the sack. Downtown El Chalten
Downtown El Chalten
Day 3
We were up early to sunshine and a clear view of the mountain peaks.  After the o so important hot chocolate fueling Arik hiked up a steep hill to Lago Tres, with some of the most spectacular mountain views of our entire trip.  While the mountains here are similar to in Torres Del Paine Park, they are different.  Torres has huge looming peaks, where the Fitz Roy range is much more jagged and detailed. 
After the morning hike we made our way out of the park and back to civilization (showers and steak).  The three days went by fast and after our 4th trek of the trip we are starting to feel like pros in the woods. 
Due to bus schedules in this one horse town, we won't be leaving until next year, 2009, so we're looking for a party.
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