Frey to Jakob
Trip Start
Mar 01, 2006
1
335
551
Trip End
Dec 01, 2007
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Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi,
Argentina
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
An incredible day.
First the sunrise. Breakfast in the refugio, admiring throught the huge windows the sun lighting up the mountains.
Then we started the first ascent. It was freezing, and we got up to Laguna Schmoll after a short steep climb.
Then we went up to the pass, going up a steep rock path, with a fair bit of snow in places.
The view from up there was breathtaking. To the north we could see the big lake Nahuel Huapi, and different peninsulas and islands. In the background, more mountains.
To the west was the valley we had to cross: the refugio Jakob was situated in the next valley. There were clouds there, it was a shame as apparently you can see the Chilean Osorno volcano from up there.
The way down was ultra steep, and tiring. After a first part on hard rock, we had to go down in smaller stones, and it was a bit like skying, except that falling was not an option.
From then on, we were still bathed in the sunrays, but small snow flakes were falling around us, carried over by the wind from the other side of the valley.
Then we reached the forest, kept walking down in a river bed. We crossed a swampy area, had our lunch break, and started going up the other side. It ended up being easier than expected. The last bit was in snow, it was cool. Up there it was just incredible, again. More lakes, more valleys and forests, more mountains, a little bit of snow and a little bit of sun. Moments, places, that make you climb up mountains. And in that immensity, there was just us, only us five. Pure enjoyment for the heart and soul, connection with nature, with life.
We spent quite some time up there, just taking it in. And we had a snowball fight too.
We could see lago Jakob and the refugio on its shore. The descent was another steep one, followed by a hilarious swamp crossing, and finally a river to clean all the mud on our shoes and pants.
At the refugio, there was warmth, a labrador, the man and the woman working there, and a litlle girl who spoke a lot. Another place where you could stay for a week.
