Back in Lake Tahoe?
Trip Start
Jun 14, 2005
1
37
48
Trip End
May 12, 2006
Bariloche,
Argentina
Friday, February 24, 2006
However, I was here with trekking in my mind so after an afternoon of prepping I found myself on a bus with a lot of other tourists to Cerro Catedral, the start of my trek through the Nahuel Huapi National Park. After the two hour hike up to the top of the ski resort I was rewarded with incredible views of the lake and surrounding mountains (see photos). However, the hike turned a little sour as I made my way down this sketchy trail as the rain began to pour, but I eventually made it into the secluded valley of Frey in time to pass all the good camping sites and set up mine in a totally unprotected one
01. Cerro Catedral
. I didn't know it at the time, but all those tents belonged to the Argentinian Army as they were in the middle of a rock-climbing course on Cerro Catedral in the Frey valley (I guess it is suppose to a world famous climbing place). I had a couple interesting conversations with some of the soldiers but ultimately I left jealous as they had all the good camping spots and were getting all they food brought in by helicopter. Well still with jealousy in my heart I headed out in the rain the next morning with my 40 pound pack and didn't see anything or anyone the whole 7 hour hike until I arrived at Refugio Jakob 7 hours later. The next day I was suppose to hike to the next refugio (refuge), but the weather still was bad so I decided to pull out 2 days early and hike to the highway. The hike was pretty uneventful that day, except when I got to the end and was waiting for the bus to come by I made a great friend with a little cat who somehow came to the conclusion that my backpack and lap were the two most comfortable places around! Also while I was waiting I met a couple from Slovanian couple living in Australia who invited me out to dinner. Seeing as the beef in Argentina is considered some of the best in the world and furthermore the beef in Bariloche is considered some of the best in Argentina they convinced me to experience my first (and last) steak. I must admit it tasted really good, but not nearly as much as good old Loma Linda Vege-meat and I can assure you it wasn't as healthy
02. View from Refugio Lynch
. The next day was Saturday and I was set to leave for El Chalten that evening, but after going to a local Adventist church I found online I was invited over for lunch by the preacher and ended up staying for 2 days. The husband was actually from Zaire and had moved to Argentina 10 years before, married an Argentinian lady and now preaches when he can. I must say he made me a little jealous as he grew up in Africa learning one dialect from his mother, another from his dad, another from his region and French as the common language... so adding his 5th language (Spanish) was a cinch! We eventually had to say our goodbyes (boy I'm getting sick of that) as they dropped me off to catch my bus to El Chalten to catch a glimpse of the mighty Fitz Roy. See you there...
