Argentina

November 6-29, 2009

November 17: Cerro Tronador: Driving to Cerro Tronador

The driving today was an adventure in itself. Not only were the roads a challenge to navigate, but the scenery was breathtaking. We were happy that there was hardly any traffic so that we could stop and take pictures as we liked.

The trees here are full of goat's beard. The lichen is an indication of were good air quality as they grow only when the air is very oxygen-rich and not polluted.

A primrose.

We liked the curly bright green leaves on this tree which I think is a ñire (aka Antarctic beech - Nothofagus antarctica).

Not that we were considering it...

A closer view of the very chilly looking mountain.

Christopher is in a happy mood again.

Lots of lakes and rivers in this area.

There he goes!

Wheeeee!!!!

The blue skies are trying to make an appearance.

Lots of rickety bridges.

Hey! Haven't we been here before?!

Beautiful vistas around each bend of the road.

Lots of fly-fishing around here.

At the turn-off for Pampa Linda... it's 12:30 so we can keep going!

Arriving at the Lago Mascardi lookout.

Samantha at Lago Mascardi.

Lago Mascardi.

The beautiful waters of Lago Mascardi.

A different view of Lago Mascardi.

Samantha taking in the view.

Say "Cheese"!

Lago Mascardi panoramic.

Goat's beard.

We saw lots of signs warning us about wild animals but we never did see the legendary huemel (hippocamelus bisculus) which is a little deer that stands 1m at the shoulder and was declared a national monument in 1996 in response to an alarming decline in population.

Scanning the trees to try and spot the elusive huemel.

The flowering trees of spring in Patagonia.

The river meandering through the valley.

I'd hate to be on this road when the river waters start to rise!

More and more blue skies.

Nature calls... in more ways than one. ;-)

Even from a distance we can recognize the tell-tale signs of past volcanic activity... basalt columns!

A closer view.

The weathered facade of the basalt columns.

All we can really make out is the Ventisquero Negro ("black glacier").

More basalt rock formations.

The blue sky patches had given us hope but our first glimpse of Cerro Tronador is unfortunately still shrouded in clouds.

A sign tells us what we *should* have been able to see...
including the 3 peaks of Cerro Tronador - the Argentine peak, the Chilean peak and the International peak (3478m).