Moreno Glacier-Argentinean Patagonia

Trip Start Jan 16, 2006
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16
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Trip End Aug 22, 2006


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Tuesday, April 25, 2006

After seeing my first river born glacier in Torres Del Paine NP im off to see my second, THE Moreno Glacier. Its face is massive and it makes lots of noise which many of these types of glaciers dont. And that is why people love it sooooo much. Its impressive i must say. I booked the "Alternative Tour to the Moreno Glacier" so called due to its round about way of the getting to the park. Its starts by takign a back road where theres a greater possibility of wildlife viewing (ie foxes, hawks, condors, flamingoes and so on) Yup, you heard it RIGHT...flamingoes. I had no idea either and i think they are even pink. I saw them from very far away but they were there. I told you patagonia is an amazing place!! We did see some hawks and condors but not a great day for wildlife.

Before heading to the park we stopped for coffee at a roadside coffee shop out in the middle of nowhere
01. Patatgonian Sheep
01. Patatgonian Sheep
. There are many of these on the argentinean side and they always serve homemade pastries which are hard to resist. Anyways, at this particular shop was my first encounter with a gaucho (patagonian cowboy). He was just sitting down chillin´ with his tilted barret (sp?), scarf wrapped round the neck and just general COOL attire and attitude. But what brings it all together is the mustache with some handlebar action. The guy was just too cool for words. He would give the Seattle hipsters a serious run for their money. If he were to walk into the Cha Cha lounge or Linda´s the place would stop dead and the hipsters would go home cryin' to mama. You can tell I have been thinking alot about this, huh? Every gaucho I saw had THE look. Its the combination of the beautiful Andes plains and the gauchos riding on their horses which is a true sight. As with most cowboys I think they are a dying breed. Theres a book called "The last of the Patagtonian Cowboys" or something like that I have heard is good. ill probably check it out when i get back home.

So, the glacier is almost as cool as the cowboys (no pun intended...heheha). Its massive and devastatingly beautiful with its fractured nature. The topography of the glacier is amazing with its huge crevasses and spiky ridges. Oh yeah, and its the only glacier in the world that isnt receeding but its not growing either. (That would probably make the big W happy). Thats another reason why its at the top of the list. Its always cracking and creaking but with no apparent reason. Although a few small pieces fell off the face it was nothing spectacular. The 2 lakes at the foot of the glacier have an amazing opaque blue color. Its from all the minerals held in the glacier. Its somewhat surreal...the whole thing.

Ill get some pics posted soon...possibly tomorrow but dont hold your breath

Favorite Food: This may sound strange the apples down here are amazing. Back home i was never a big fan of the manzanas but DAMN if they dont kick ass down here.

Favorite Music: I was at the point where i getting burnt out on the music so nothing really comes to mind
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