Hiking in Patagonia - Chile and Argentina
February 2-18, 2013
Part Two - Argentina
Page Four - Hiking to Mt Fitz Roy Viewpoint
On the grounds of Fitzroy Eco Camp are a number of llamas. They are there as part of a plan to train
them as pack llamas, and introduce them to the trails of the Park, to diminish the erosion caused by pack horses.
A baby llama on the grounds of the Eco Camp where we stayed 2 nights before transferring to a hotel in El Chalten.
Llama closeup. I thought this llama had interesting ears.
The cozy timber lodge is built on the shore of Rio de Las Vueltas and has views of Mt Fitz Roy's
north face in good weather, but we never saw Fitz Roy from the lodge. Here is a small bird and a duck.
I couldn't get close enough to identify them.
Our Argentinian guide said some trees were turning color due to recent
dry weather. The morning of Feb. 13, we were given the option of doing a
steep hike to a possible view of Mt Fitz Roy or an easy hike through
forest to another possible Fitz Roy view. There were 5 people from
Colorado on our trip, and 9 people from other states. The 5 from
Colorado opted for the steep hike; everyone else did the easy hike
(minus one person who stayed at the camp due to stomach issues).
Mutilla, also called Diddle-dee
We reached the ridge that we were hiking to but Fitz Roy was in clouds across the way.
Occasionally the clouds would separate, and we did get several nice views of Fitz Roy.
The wind was very strong on the ridge, so I had to take this photo sitting down behind a large
boulder to hold the camera steady and also to keep from being knocked down by the gusty winds.
Pat enjoying the hike, the views, and nature on the ridge during a lull in the wind.
Rio de Las Vueltas Valley (Rio means River) as seen from the hiking trail as we were heading back down the trail.
Pat negotiating a steep section of the trail
Patagonian Bumble Bee near the Eco Camp
View from the Eco Camp looking in the opposite direction from Fitz Roy.
A llama sticking out its tongue at us at the Eco Camp after we returned from the hike.
The staff moved the llamas to different sections of the grounds and tied them on long ropes
so that they would not overgraze a particular area.
Link to Page Five - More Hiking in Los Glaciares National Park
Pat's Home Page