Peaks, Condors, Ducks and Clear Skies
Another day, another slow pace: just 8km in 5 hours. But today, we have some pretty good excuses.
I'm walking away from the Cerro Torre and Mt Fitzroy skyline
Our first detour was to the Mirador de
Cóndores. After an hour of watching a playful group of Kestrels with no
condors in sight, we were about to give up. Then, as if on cue, a lone
condor passed right over our heads, no more than ten meters away.
Kiersten definitely got some amazing shots.
Andean Condor
We then hiked on to the Mirador de
Águilas (Eagle's View). Guess what? No eagles. The fine view of the
icebergs floating on distant Lago Viedma was some consolation, but we
were starting to feel a little deflated about Argentine naming
conventions.
Our spirits lifted when we dropped down to a small lake nestled in a dense Patagonian forest. Kiersten had a stroke of luck as two scarce Spectacled Ducks (Bronze-winged Ducks) swam past, completely oblivious to us. She also got good sightings of a Chilean Flicker. Her report will no doubt be filled with superlative photos.
Spectacled Duck
The other main reason for our slow progress was the landscape itself. We were constantly stopping to stare in awe. A cloudless sky is a rare Patagonian phenomenon, and to see the iconic peaks of Cerro Torre and Mt. FitzRoy under clear blue skies provided one show-stopping moment after another.
This perfect weather has made us realize we need to go higher while we can. We have to take advantage of this window before the inevitable clouds and winds return. With the fine weather set to continue, this afternoon we'll pack for our first high-altitude adventure: an overnight bivouac on Loma del Pliegue Tumbado tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Me taking an image. Can't fail really. Can I?
Cerro Torre and a red firebush
El Chalten
Path through the trees
El Chalten and Cerro Paredon
The magnificent Cerro Torre
Kiersten approaching Mirador de Agilas
The Cerro Torre and Fitzroy range. And a bright red firebush
Photographing the aforementioned photo
Lago Viedma from Mirador de las Agilas
Cerro Torre and Fitzroy
Cerro Torre and Fitzroy
Kiersten camouflaged (not) in the trees
Fitzroy and Firebush
Cerros Torre, Egger and Standhardt
Fitzroy and firebush
Cerro Torre
Kiersten, Nomad T-shirt and the mountain range
Reflections