Another Trek
Trip Start
Jan 10, 2009
1
6
20
Trip End
Ongoing
Ushuaia,
Patagonia,
Argentina
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The day did not start particularly well, as it was quite cold and rainy. When we got to the park, the first leg of the trip was along the shores of the beautiful lake with a wonderful mountain back drop, but this meant that it would continue to be windy as all heck.
After less than hour, the trail turned more inland, the wind stopped, but we started to head uphill. This continued through relatively normal trees and such, with occasional small white orchids popping out of the ground. Then we crossed a short rocky part and entered and very funny forest. All the trees looked like they had had at least a foot of soil erode away, and parts of their roots showing. Not like mangroves, but more like normal birch or similar just growing too high. And all were bent in various directions at 90 degree angles. Quite strange indeed.
After the funny trees we reached a plateau, about 1000 m above sea level. What was strange about this plateau is that it was between the tree line and rocky barren mountain top that still had some snow on it. This meant that snow melt off was running down and created quite a swampy boggy ground. It took us almost an hour to make the hundred meters across, zigzagging back and forth trying to avoid the mud and guck. We finally reached the rock and started our ascent. Just then the wind restarted. It was in our backs so it helped going up the sometimes steep path. We got to the top of the ridge, as rain started coming down with the wind. We saw pretty god view, which must have been much better on a clearer day. Lakes and mountains across the desolate plains. The top of this mountain felt like a great place to film the last stages of Frodo and Sam going through Mordor to toss the ring into the fire of Mount doom. Jagged rocks, quite desolate landscape, and wind and weather made for a fantastically dreary mood.
We had a snack at the top, and decided to turn back. This time the wind howled in our face, and blew sand and pebbles at us, almost like it wanted to prevent us from getting to the bottom.
We got to the swamp, pretty much just went straight through, not caring if we got wet or not. Then it was the ghpstly trees and another few hours and we were back at the camp ground where our bus came to pick us up.
All in all an 8 hour hike that had the potential to have great views in better weather. Quite expensive as the bus plus park entrance was about $30 per person to just go for a walk.
We got back to hostel for our last night in Ushuaia.
