Hiking in Patagonia - Chile and Argentina
February 2-18, 2013
Part Two - Argentina
Page Two - Perito Moreno Glacier
We drove from El Calafate for a full day excursion into Los Glaciares National Park to see the
Perito Moreno Glacier, an active glacier on the south end of Lago Argentino. We had a picnic lunch
at this spot, from which we could view the Glacier and see the boat we would later take to the other side
of the lake to hike on the glacier. The National Park was created in 1937. Its name refers to the giant ice
cap in the Andes range that feeds 48 large glaciers, of which only 13 flow toward the Atlantic Ocean. The ice
cap is the largest outside of Antarctica and Greenland.
There is a long walkway tourists can take to get close views of the glacier, which we did take.
Pressures from the weight of the ice slowly pushes the glacier over the southern arm of Lake
Argentino damming the section to the left of this photo and separating it from the rest of the lake. With
no outlet, the water level on this side of the lake can rise by almost 100 feet above the level of the main
body of Lake Argentino. Periodically, the presure produced by the height of the dammed water breaks through
the ice barrier causing a spectacular rupture, sending a massive outpouring of water from the southern arm to the
main body of Lake Argentino. As the water exits the southern arm, the shoreline is exposed, showing evidence of
the height of the water build-up. This dam-ice bridge-rupture cycle recurs naturally between once a year to less than
once a decade. The last rupture occurred in June 2012. It ruptures on average every 4 to 5 years.
The glacier is 97 square miles and measures about 19 miles in length and is three miles
wide, with an average height of 240 ft. above the surface of the water of Lake Argentino.
The depth of the ice can reach over 550 feet. As indicated in the Chile portion of the photos,
it is not retreating like most other glaciers in the world.
We were able to see large blocks of ice collapse into the water as the glacier
advances, a process known as calving. Here is the start of such an ice fall. The next
two photos show the progression of the ice fall.
The ice fall has finished, and the evidence of the fall is seen in the water.
In the foreground is a remnant of the front of the glacier. The section in between has been washed away and collapsed by the Lake.
Pat and Jeff at Perito Moreno Glacier
Pretty blue color in the glacier
An interesting ice formation
Looking at distant mountains from the walkway at Perito Moreno
A tourist boat
We took a boat to the Perito Moreno Glacier where we were fitted with crampons in
order to take an hour and a half hike on the Glacier. This photo shows groups already hiking on it.
Jeff next to a wind-whipped Argentinian national flag.
The flag has a sun in the middle. He was standing in the area
near where we put on crampons.
One of the beautiful views during the Perito Moreno Glacier hike
Our tour group on the Glacier
An uphill section.
Pat with crampons on her boots on Perito Moreno.
It was cold enough to wear a fleece cap, which is hard to see
in this picture.
Lago Argentino in the background
Jeff and Pat on the Glacier
The cloud formations added to the changing views of the Glacier.
Pat straddling a crack in the glacier filled with water.
Jeff and Pat posing for a picture with an ice axe that
we did not need or use. The glacier guide handed it to
each couple for effect before taking pictures of us.
Tree sculpture we saw after we left the glacier and headed back
to the boat. The shot of whiskey that our guides provided us at the
end of the glacier hike was a nice touch.
A Patagonian hare near the tree sculpture
Getting ready to board the boat to take us to the other side of the Lake where we
met up with our van driver that took us back to El Calafate.
Departing Perito Moreno Glacier. Some of the members of our tour group: from right to left are
Loni then Jeff from California, Paul and Jane from Minnesota, and Gina and Bob from Minnesota.
Link to Page Three - El Chelten
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