Supertrekking

They don´t call it supertrekking for nothing. 30K in 1.5 days, over diverse terrain, including a tyrolean rope crossing and about 2K of ice walking. I am not sure how capable I am of moving. But it was spectacular. Our outing was unusual in two ways. Instead of the usual 14 people, we were 4. And for the first time in 15 days there was no rain. There was, however, a wind that whipped off the glaciar, almost knocking you over. Our guide, Gabriella, said that that was nothing compared to the wind at the Puerto de Vientos pass. The first day we walked through the park to the campsite, through a varying terrain, which included steppe-like areas as well as lenga forests. Through the trees we got views of the Fitzroy range and glacial lakes of an eerie greenish color. After about 10-12K, we arrived at camp and had a rather bad dinner of pasta with a powdered milk sauce. Still the carbo loading was not a bad idea. The next day had about 20K to cover. Diego joined us to lead us to the glacier.

First, a relatively easy hike to a tyrolean rope crossing of the Fitzroy River. Easy, that is, until the end, where the winds from the glacier started blowing. A tyrolean rope crossing involves harnessing yourself to a pulley system and, facing the sky, pulling yourself along the rope.


Getting to the midway point is easy, going up the other end is a bit tougher. A hike across the moraine, and then up a very steep climb, down again, and we reached the glacier itself. We strapped on the crampons and started walking on the ice - up and down ridges, along crevasses, into the middle of the Glaciar Grande at the base of Cerro Torre. Then a quick ice climbing lesson (here I have pictures to prove it!).
Back out off the glacier, up, then down, back over the river, back to camp for the second bit of lunch and then a 10K hike across easy enough terrain out to catch a bus.
It took a little while for our small group to gel but I think in the end we achieved some bonding. I really liked the guides. I promised to send them both some equipment (water bags for their packs), and now that I have posted this I will have to.

Some photos: