Argentina
November 6-29, 2009
November 17: Cerro Tronador: Pampa Linda and Hike to the Base of Cerro Tronador
"Linda" means beautiful in Spanish and Pampa Linda did not disappoint. A favourite tour destination from Bariloche, many buses stop here for a bite to eat before going to the Cerro Tronador base. We got out shortly at Pampa Linda, but the information center was still closed for the season and we decided to keep going.
Driving a little past Pampa Linda you get to the Ventisquero Negro (black glacier) viewing area which has been built on top of the moraine left by the glacier tongue. 
Although the road seemed to continue, it wasn't in the greatest of shape so we decided to park the car at the viewing area parking lot. After a quick glance around we had our lunch and then proceeded to hike the rest of the way to the base of Cerro Tronador. Along the way the kids had tons of fun collecting "bubble rocks", remnants of past volcanic activity. The great thing about "bubble rocks" is that they are much lighter than regular rocks which is a blessing for mom when the kids fill up her pockets! ;-) We were wondering what our "new animal of the day" would be today and it turned out to be a lizard that we found sunning itself on a rock. Christopher also enjoyed an abandoned digger at the side of the road wondered where Frodo and his men had disappeared to when a couple of horses appeared in a forest that looked like it was straight out of a scene from "Lord of the Rings"!
Arriving at Pampa Linda.
A nice information booth but unfortunately everything is still closed for the season.
Ashy-headed goose (Chloephaga poliocephala) Argentine name: Cauquen real
Bird.
Getting closer to Cerro Tronador but we still can't see the peaks, only Ventisquero Negro ("black glacier").
A stream as we continue to drive from Pampa Linda on to Ventisquero Negro.
As the clouds lift for a bit we get a breathtaking view of the glaciers on the mountain.
It looks like a small boulder...
...but if you compare it to the trees, you realize how massive this rock really is.
We arrive at the Ventisquero Negro lookout and decide to park the car here.
Samantha at the Ventisquero Negro (black glacier) viewing area.
Zooming in on the glacier at the top of the mountain.
There are a couple of tour buses at the lookout and so we decide to
hike along the road a little further to get to the Cerro Tronador Base.
A little lizard that Samantha spotted.
Some berries.
Samantha and Christopher were delighted with all the "bubble rocks" from past volcanic activity.
A look back towards Pampa Linda.
Amazing rock formations.
Getting closer to the base of Cerro Tronador.
And of course, in the middle of nowhere, we find horses!
The lichen-rich forest that reminded us of something out of Lord of the Rings or the King Arthur legends.
We didn't spot any elves or knights though... just their horses. ;-)
The kids liked this abandoned digger at the side of the road.
Welcome to the Base of Cerro Tronador at 1150m.
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