Patagonia....

(NOTE: This blog is for yesterday night in my hotel, but with slow internet access, everything will have to be a day behind. Patagonia is AMAZING!!)

No pics today since internet access is both difficult to find AND extremely expensive, even for US standards. But trust me when I say that Patagonia – deep in Patagonia, as I am now -- is one of the most beautiful places in the world. As soon as I get real internet access back, I’ll post a bunch of pics for you to see. It is amazing.

Yesterday I ventured out for a Glacier Trekking adventure at Perito Moreno, near El Calafate. Was a total blast! I had an adorable guide (is it a requirement that all Argentine guides be hot or what??) and met a group of cool Aussie gals. I thought I was a bit glaciered out from Alaska, but Perito Moreno is simply stunning – just wait ‘til you see the pics. Alaskan glaciers are like ice cubes next to this Argentine baby.

Here are some facts on Moreno for those of you not in the know: Moreno is enormous (30 km long, 5 km wide, and 60 meters high) and it continues to advance, or grow, every day. This is a huge rarity in the glacier world, where global warming is eating away at most ice fields. Moreno’s stabilization and growth is largely due to its “funnel” shape; the accumulation area of the glacier (where the snow falls and compacts to ice) is considerably larger than the ice portion (or bottom portion) of the glacier. So the glacier is able to make up for its losses more easily – the large accumulation area “flows” into a smaller area.. Also interesting: this glacier is at the same latitude as the US/Canadian border. Fortunately for us tourists, wind patterns produced by the Chilean fjords and the Andes allow for the formation of glaciers.

Anyway, your glacier lesson is now over. After the trekking I took the bus to El Chalten, and I already love it! The town is TINY – it was developed as a true border town in 1985 (had to beat Chile to the land claim!) and the year round population is only 600 people. Its entire economy is built around hikers and trekkers like me. Best of all, I actually know someone here! My friend Alexis is coincidentally in town at the same time I am, so we’re going to become hiking buddies. Let’s hope I can keep up. This butt hasn’t been to the gym in three weeks, and my belly is definitely holding a few extra pounds….

Oh yeah, and good news – I already saw Cerro Chalten! In fact, I have a view from my room! (As some of you know, I “splurged” on these final accommodations….I am paying less than 80 USD a night for AMAZING room. I have a king size bed, marble bathroom, and view. Um, can I move here?)