Departamento Lácar, Argentina - Polarsteps

We made a detour to Junin de los Andes and found out that there were indigenous tribes dancing on the Vulcano (je weet wel van de Dijk). Which meant it was closed for the next week or so. We thought it was not worth the wait and so we started on our big tour southward! We quickly changed our plans and went for some more multi-day trekking in the area of San Martín de los Andes! We took the first boat since our cruise, which brought us to our starting point at the lake. After a night at a camping, we put on our hiking shoes again! The first day we had some tough 24 km scheduled! After a steep climb and equally steep descent we got to the conclusion that we somehow should've taken a boat or a kayak or a floating log... Anything which didn't need us to hike up a mountain again. But the pains you feel during a hike are easily forgotten after you can treat yourself with a dive in the lake and the beautiful scenery. Moreover, the proudness you feel is something no one can take away! We were -except some horses- the only ones on the free campspot (moodsong: op een onbewoond eiland). Day 2: another 20km to go. Our midway focus was a cafe Frank spotted on his map. They had no coffee, but we enjoyed the 'oliebol' taste-a-like torta frita. Let's make it two :D The last part of the hike consists of a dirt road with several 4X4-vehicles. We were to proud to use our thumb, and wanted to finish the 20km on our own! At the end of the hike a lake waited for us for a nice refreshing swim :) Again we stayed on a free camping spot, but with quite some other people. The spot was guarded by a sweet -almost retired, but searching for someone who wants his job! - gentlemen, who put flowers in the women's toilet :) At the campsite we met some awesome Argentinians, we spent the evening around the campfire and they offered us a ride back fot the day after (yes!). We woke up early the next morning, not because we were in a rush to head back, but because we were in a rush to be the first at the hotsprings: our final destination! The springs were a one hour walk from the campsite and we made it - we had the spot at least half an hour for ourselves!! It was a magical place, how can such hot water come out of the mountains?? We had a dip, and took advantage of the rising sun for some photo moments! When the next folks came we headed back to the camp spot. Our lift were enjoying their time as well, we had a dive in the (much colder) water and even got the opportunity to use the kayaks of our new friends. It was wonderful to experience the scenery from the lake! At four we jumped in their big truck to have a journey back! We passed some rivers and a Dutch settlement (creative use of our flag by the way). We finally arrived back in the living world, although felt the mountain blues (the feeling you have when you leave a beautiful place behind).

Country Guides:

Argentina