Departamento Bariloche, Argentina - Polarsteps

In accordance with tradition we got a moving day on Frank's b'day (as we also did on both of our Asia trips). However this time you could call it a gift. It took us 3 hours to cross the 60 km on a dirt road. We enjoyed great views seated in the front of the van, one moment we were driving next to the lake's beach and the other moment we were confronted with the amazing Tronador! Destination: Pampa Linda! The name itself says it all: beautiful grasslands. Everyone in the bus put on their hiking shoes and started their way up. We, instead, hiked the strenuous 300m to the camping and called it a day. The rest of the day we spend around the site, visiting a idyllic waterfall and finding a birthday meal: Parilla (Argentinan bbq) tonight! A delicious meal, what a difference compared to Dutch food! Christmas day! Who is not dreaming of a white Christmas? Although have to admit that it doesn't really feel like Christmas with 25° celcius. Which actually makes it a great day for a Christmas hike to the refugio Otto Meiling at the edge of the glaciar on the mountain el Tronador! We already had great views on the glaciar from below, but it was really worthwhile to take a closer look! It took us 2 hours less than the assigned time to get there, guess al the muscular awakenings on the cruise pays it off :D We enjoyed the great views, you can see it for yourself in the pictures :) At night time we took advantage of the darky night (almost no artificial lights and a small moon) to go star gazing and learn ourselves some new constellation. Although the one in the picture is also seen from the north side of the world (bonus points if you could name it). The day after we decided to leave this beautiful place, but not without a visit to the grey glacier. Under the ashes and dirt is actually ice! :0 We were lucky with the lovely couple Dan en Ana, who gave us a ride and brought us all the way back to Bariloche :)

Country Guides:

Argentina