South America Sabbatical

We have arrived in Patagonia, beginning our visit in the south of Argentina. El Calafate is on the "Patagonian Steppes," a near desert on the eastern side of the Andes. There are incredibly vast open spaces, huge rivers and lakes and incredible views to the mountains when the weather cooperates.

Because of the inclement weather on the western coast of this tip of the continent, the Andes are topped by the Patagonian Ice Sheet and huge glaciers spill down both sides. We visited the Perito Moreno Glaciers, one of the only (or maybe the only) glaciers that is growing. We put on crampons and took a hike on the ice..yes, Amy did it too.

North of El Calafate is the town of El Chaltén, devoted very nearly exclusively to hiking and climbing. Dave, Larry and I took a day-long excursion into the hills for a taste of the backcountry and some inspiring vistas of the Fitz Roy ridge.