We set off today for out full day hike. The claim was that it was medium to high difficulty. The main problem was the final 30 minutes - that was to be down a very steep incline. Sigh. We left the hotel at 10 AM and it took us about 45 minutes to drive to the beginning of the hike. I opted for two hiking sticks - Charlie for one. In the beginning we hiked up a gentle incline. First with views of the mountains, then into a forested area with, again, the same easy incline. My worst problem was that most of the trail through the forest was on a path that due to multiple walkers and rain, had formed a rut with grass growing on both sides. I found that walking rather difficult. I didn't realize I walk with my feet wider apart than that narrow rut.
On our way to the beginning of the trail, we passed by a few condors having a sit down in the grass.
Small hostel which was our trail head.
Across the street from the hostel and a view of the mountains we were about to walk past.
Lenga trees that haven't been burnt at the beginning of our walk
Even after they appear to be completely burnt, some of the trees recover. After a fire in 2005 the burnt trees were chopped down. The Chileans had real problems replanting new trees, and they were stymied by the very slow growth of Lengas. After the next big blaze in 2011 it was decided to just leave them alone and hope for the best. The second turned out to be the best plan.
A fungus grows on the lenga trees which is edible and rather tasty. These were too dry to eat. When ready they are light colored with orange spots. Who was the brave character that tried these in the first place?
The whole area is covered in lakes. Some are very small, some are huge. They were formed from glacial ice melt.
The trail.
Another of the lakes
This most recent lake had a group of ruddy ducks. Their mode of fast movement was a real hoot.
Another view of the ruddy ducks. I thought they were great
After we climbed a hill and got this last view of the mountains, we went into the forest. While walking on a rutted trail, I tripped and went down like a tree. I managed to cut my lip and wrench my side - but I'm tough (or stupid) and kept on slogging. Fortunately only Charlie and I were in the vicinity so I was able to recover a bit before anyone in the group saw me.
Lunch time. My odd expression was caused by my cut lip.
Lady slippers along the trail. The whole trail was surrounded by lovely flowers
A glimpse of the trail in the forest.
When one of us saw the armadillo Jaime (on the left) and Patrick (on the right) gave chase. Poor little dude was dragged back for the cameras. They let him go and he scurried away.
Top of the trail before our 30 minute hike down.
Another view from the top of the trail.
Another view (sans us) of the lake at the bottom. The view was like that out an airplane window.
Line of hikers on their way down. We followed right after.
We got a snack at the bottom of the trail. We had begun the hike around 11 AM and were at the bottom by about 5:45. This is a view from the bottom. Most of the downhill hike was between the two round hills to the right. There's a line of rocks on the grey hill on the left (a condor's nest was on the cliff above). Really an amazing downhill slog. The greatest irony for me is that the downhill portion was really exciting and not that awful. Obviously, I can't hike in a rut on level ground.
The white material on the far side of the lake is called stromatalite. It's formed from the calcium carbonate in the water that tiny anaerobic bacteria used to form oxygen. Presumably this was the method that began the oxygen in our atmosphere.
Another armadillo near the hotel. Charlie spotted two of them - this guy was my best shot.
Early dinner (8 PM) this IS Chile. We have to get up tomorrow before 7 AM so we can be driven to El Calafate in Argentina.
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