Rio Tranquillo is the gateway to Capillas de Marmol (marble caves). These grottos and caves are only accessible by boat. It was pretty windy and cloudy the day we went, but we were lucky to have the sun break through when we were at the caves.
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| Marble cathedral buttresses |
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| The colors changed constantly based on the clouds and sun direction |
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| Looking across Lago Gal Carerra |
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| Entering the teeth of a giant shark |
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| Alex daring to enter the Catedral de Marmol |
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| "The Mummy" formation in the marble |
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| Marble, turquoise, and snowcapped peaks |
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| "King Kong" formation |
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| Katie...I think |
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| Not Thailand! |
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| Ice fields above Rio Tranquillo |
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| We planned to visit Glaciar Exploradores, but a landslide this winter covered the valley, and created this lake (picture taken from where the road enters the lake) |
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| Sword fight on the beach |
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| Thanks to Eric for joining us for two weeks in Patagonia! |
Calluqueo Glacier
We weren't able to get to the Exploradores Glacier because of the land slide and resulting lake over the road, so instead we visited the Calluqueo Glacier south of Cochrane. A stormy day made for an exciting boat ride to and from the base of the glacier!
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| Sketchy boat ride in the rain and wind across the lake to the glacier (and back) |
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| Glacier trekkers |
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| Hoping the crevasse doesn't expand! |
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| Crevaasse jumping...with style |
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| Don't catch a crampon! |
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| Alex on Calluqueo Glacier overlooking the lagoon formed by the glacial moraine |
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| Blue ice to match Keri's jacket |
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| Clear water and blue ice |
Parque Patagonia
The work of Kristine and Doug Tompkins to realize Parque Patagonia (and other parks in Chile and Argentina) is inspirational, particularly when our wildernesses and public lands in the U.S. are under constant attack. We had Thanksgiving dinner at the park restaurant, and sat at the table next to Kristine Tompkins and her family.
The quality of the work they put into the park is also incredible. The visitor center and park headquarters are as impressive as any park we've visited. It's not really geared for mass tourism, but clearly shows they intended to treat the park with respect.
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| One day old guanaco and mom |
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| Parque Patagonia |
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| Cerro Pintura with freshly fallen early summer snow |
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| Pampas grasslands of Parque Patagonia recovering from decades of sheep grazing |
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| Chilean flamingos migrate to Laguna Seca each summer |
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| Guanaco showing off |
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| Andean condor soaring |
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| Parque Patagonia headquarters and visitor center were as impressive as any park in the world - and located in an equally impressive landscape |
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| Fuzzy guanaco checking us out |
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| Katie loves hiking, and especially hiking in the rain! |
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| Baby and mom...and guanaco photo bomber on the right |
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| The wilds of Patagonia |
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| Guanaco death match! |
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| Greetings from Parque Patagonia! |
Rio Baker
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| Confluence of the Rio Baker (from top) and Rio Chacabuco (from right) |
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| Rio Baker rapids |
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| Katie, Alex, Keri, and Eric ready to go whitewater rafting |
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| Alex leading the left-side paddle team |
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| Rio Baker rapids |
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| Katie surfing the Rio Baker (facing upstream, with the front of the boat submerged in the standing wave) |
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| The wave strikes back! |
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| Katie got a little wet! |
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| Deep blue Rio Baker |
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| Katie training to be a Patagonian river guide |
The next part of our Patagonia posts will include the spectacular Cerro Castillo Reserve.
1 comment:
How amazing sceneries..Enjoy guys
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