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Published: January 16th 2011
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We were meeting Dave on the 7th of January and to get there on time we had to take a 28 hour bus ride. We were a little nervous about this but it turned out to be not to bad at all. The first six hours on the bus we watched three movies back to back. The time sure did fly. Then by that time it was almost time to sleep, then another movie, and we arrived in El Calafate!
The main event in El Calafate is the famous glacier moreno. To view this glacier we took an all day boat trip out to the biggest lake in Argentina. Our first stop on this trip was the many icebergs in the lake, and it was a sight to see. The icebergs made the water color of the lake a beautiful green while the glaciers ranged in color from white to electric blue. We continued on then came to the first glacier of the day and everyone on the boat was in shock. It was a huge glacier on a mountain that came all the way down straight into the lake and must have been 5km long and 1km high. We sat
and watched for some time and viewed large pieces of ice fall into the lake. This would make a very large intense sound. We left the first glacier then headed to the biggest glacier moreno. When we arrived everyone on the boat was silent as we all were astonished at the size of this thing. Again we watched large pieces of ice fall and create massive explosive sounds. It was a day we will never forget.
Our next stop was El Chalten, the hiking capitol of Argentina. Our plan was to stay there for five days, and we ended up hiking everyone of those days. The highlight of El Chalten is the massive Fitz Roy looming in the back. The first day we arrived we took a short 2.5 hour hike to the mirador to view Fitz Roy. We were very lucky because it was a clear day, no clouds in the sky, 80 degrees outside, and a perfect time to take pictures. We got some amazing pictures! The next day we were not so lucky and was a very windy day, and when I say windy I mean can hardly stand on the ground without the wind knocking you
over windy. We hiked four hours then came to a lake with a view of a large glacier behind. When we arrived at the lake the wind was so strong it pushed me over and ripped Daves glasses straight from his face. Eric was fearless and jumped in the wind and claimed to "fly." The other long and grueling hike we did that week was the hike to view Fitz Roy from Laguna de los Tres. We once again were very lucky and had another beautiful day. We left early and arrived there four hours and 16km later. The view from the top of the mountain was stunning, with two different color lakes at the base then the massive Fitz Roy staring us straight in the face. During our time at the top it started to snow a little and it made the experience all the more memorable.
The week with Dave was coming to an end, and it was an amazing week. Eric and I both were very glad that we were able to share these amazing experiences with him.
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Art Rude
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Wow: What an Advemtire
Hi Ericandtracy: I've been following your blog, but never found the time to comment on it. So what can I say - except that I think it is terrific.? " I wanna do that, Dad" is the thought that comes to my mind everytime I look at some new pictures with new comment from the twosome in SA. The latest were the gigantic icebergs. Does that have anything to do with globel warming? I bet it does. When are you coming home, you rascals? We all gave you permission to teach a school year in Chile, but Argintina? And the south pole? Holy Smoke, as they say in East Jordan, "What the hell do you think you are doing"? And getting on your knee and askin that female to marry you? And you didn't give us HER answer! She better have said "Yes" 'cuz we want that little gal for a granddaughter-in-law. Ya hear? I should give you some news from up here, but there isn't really very much c ompared to what you guys are enjoying. I have been having health problems. Like my heart started acting up and beating irrregularly at 120 b/p/m so I had to have a pace maker put in - and 2 weeks before your dad had one too. Now I find that a dozen or so of our friends have pace makers. No big neal. The other problem I have is loss of lung capacity. I get out of breath almost as soon as I try to do any work. I am cleaning up my office in my basement together with my garage in case Viv gets left with all the details in case something happens to me, which won't be too surprising since I will be 91 on April 24th of this year. Where are you now? The last I heard you were in someplace that has a mountain called "Fitz Roy" I have a terrible cold and need to go back to bed so must bring this to a halt. We all sure admire you two for preparing for and actually executing this temenduous advenure. We can't wait for our family reunion inAugust to hear more about it and see more pictures. Of course, we expect an entire lecture on the subject. So long. Lots of good wishes and love and all admiration. Your grandfasther. GF