Argentina
November 6-29, 2009
November 21: Vólcan lanín: Driving to Vólcan Lanín
To get to the earthcache and the volcano we headed north on ruta 23 from Junin de los Andes and then took ruta 60 east, almost to the chilean border. The drive was a wonderful panoramic route through the valley of the Río Malleo.
View of the back courtyard of our apartment hotel.
A chimango (Milvago chimango).
The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is sometimes colloquially known as the Sparrow Hawk. It is the most common and also the smallest falcon in North America. It is the only kestrel found in the Americas. The Spanish name for this bird is halconito colorado.
As we drive into the interior of Parque Lanín we can already see the snow covered volcano in the distance.
Parque Nacional Lanín is also known for its many indigenous reserves.
The sign says deer crossing... apparently the sheep can't read. ;-)
Lots of sheep in the vast countryside.
Driving fast in this area is a baaaaa-d idea.
Maybe we could pretend one of those sheep is actually a pudu.
Why do we suddenly have cravings for snow cones?
Besides the actual giant volcano, basalt columns are evidence of volcanic activity in the area.
More snow covered mountains of the Andes.
Male Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta). Cauquén común in Spanish.
Yellow-billed pintail (Anas georgica).
This is the first group of naturally growing auracaria (monkey puzzle trees) that we've seen.
A beautiful monkey puzzle tree.
The volcano looks so snowy and cold compared to the rest of the landscape!
The two things we've come to see today: monkey puzzle trees and Vulcan Lanín.
Rubby and the volcano... sounds like a movie in the making... ;-)
Zooming in on the peak of the volcano... it doesn't look like anyone is up there right now.
As we drive closer we come across a huge area where all the monkey puzzle trees are
coppery in colour as if there'd been a fire in the area.
A chimango perched in one of the barren burnt trees.
The chimango on the charred remains of a tree... it takes off.
next: Senda El Mirador and the Lanín Earthcache »
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