Argentina
November 6-29, 2009
November 17: Cerro Tronador: Base of Cerro Tronador
Although Cerro Tronador is an extinct volcano, that is not the reason for its name. "Thunder Mountain" refers to the deafening noise produced by the avalanches of snow and ice that break off the glaciers on top of the mountain. It has three peaks: Pico Chileno, Pico Argentino and Pico Internatcional (3478m).
At the base of Cerro Tronador is a large picnic area with bathrooms, a restaurant and a couple of houses but everything seemed closed for the season, including the trails. We stayed at the base for a while watching and listening to the snow and ice avalanches. It was tough to get any good pictures of the Glaciar Blanco up on the mountain sincer there were so many clouds and blowing snow.
While we were taking photos the kids had fun just playing around the picnic area. We met a couple from the States and we chatted for a bit with them before heading back to the Ventisquero Negro lookout.
Christopher points out that we have arrived at the base of Cerro Tronador.
At the base there's a whole complex of bathrooms, restaurant and what looked like
accomodations but other than the bathrooms, everything was still closed for the season.
It looks like this place could get pretty busy in the summer!
A cute little "chair".
Lots of elaborate barbecue pits.
The little cabin looked like something right out of Snow White and the 7 Dwarves.
Unfortunately it was still pretty cloudy, but even so, the mountain looked pretty impressive.
Samantha and Christopher listening to the "thunder" as ice and snow fall of the mountain in a cascade.
It's easy to see why this is called Cerro Tronador (Thunder Mountain).
Strange growths in the nire trees.
A closeup of the nire tree growths.
The characteristic wavy leaves of the nire (antarctic beech - Nothofagus antarctica).
Instead of a waterfall, there's a snowfall!
Samantha and Christopher playing in the trees.
They had the whole picnic area to themselves!
Rubby with Cerro Tronador thundering in the background.
The sign explains how the mountain got its name from the "thundering" avalanches of snow and ice.
The trails in the area were closed but we spotted a couple trying to get closer to the snow avalanches anyway.
the forces of nature.
Time to head back to the car.
One last picture at the base of Cerro Tronador.
Nope, still no elves or knights to be seen!
Hiking back.
next: Ventisquero Negro »
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