Perito Moreno Glacier

Headed off to the glacier having decided to do what is termed “mini-trekking”, which is a small venture featuring walking on the actual glacier—near the southern edge—.  It is about 80 km to the glacier from El Calafate, crossing the windswept, arid plains that meet the Andes.  From there, it’s another 40 minutes to cross the arm of the lake  to the edge of the glacier by boat.  There a guide explains the history of the glacier, which at the moment is damming the lake.  This happens periodically and will ultimately result in a major break cum ice explosion, once the pressure of the ice builds up sufficiently to crack a really enormous piece off the front of the glacier, and will result in open water in front of the ice once again.  This is a natural cycle.
Under beautiful skies, we headed through the forest that lines the side of the glacier, had our crampons put on, and headed onto the ice.  Later, once safely off the ice, we had a break for a picnic lunch, gazing all the while at the glacier, listening to its creaks and watching huge walls of ice occasionally explode off the sides and into the water.
Later in the afternoon, back on the mainland, we toured the extensive and very nicely designed walkways that afford views of both sides of the land-butting glacier. Words are insufficient to describe the raw beauty and grandeur of the place.  Enjoy the pictures.

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