El Condor Pasa

An adult male (?) Andean condor floats majestically above us as we descend from the Otto Meiling Refuge on Monte Tronador. Such a stunning sight!

The Castana Overa Glacier

Post lunch relaxation at the edge of the Castana Overa Glacier, one of several that drape the slopes of Monte Tronador.

We made it!

The Otto Meiling Refuge at last! Inside, spaghetti bolognese and spaghetti aglio olio will be served to the music of Louis Armstrong. And all of this high on an old volcano in Patagonia. Amazing!

Sunrise on Monte Tronador

Morning light touches the peak of Monte Tronador ("the thunderer"). Today we'll hike up to the Otto Meiling Refuge on the slopes of this old volcano. We can hear the occasional cracking and rumbling of glacial ice from Pampa Linda.

Lago Mascardi

Exquisitely colored Lago Mascardi en route to Pampa Linda from where we'll hike up to the Otto Meiling Refuge 3,300 feet up the slopes of Monte Tronador.

Turistas al cumbre de Pico Turistas

At the top of Pico Turistas, one of the several high points along the Cerro Lopez summit ridge. The big glacier-clad volcano to the right in Monte Tronador ("the thunderer").

From the trail to Cerro Lopez

A stunning view of Nahuel Huapi Lake from the trail to Refugio Lopez compensates for the effort of the hike.

Llao Llao

Another perfect day in Patagonia. Hikes on Cerro Lopez on tap for today. En route to the trailhead, stopped to enjoy this lovely view of the Llao Llao Hotel with the Moreno Lake in the foreground and the enormous Nahuel Huapi Lake in the background.

Group shot at Lago Gutierrez

On the long hike out from Laguna Tonchek, we stopped for a group picture overlooking Lago Gutierrez.

Laguna Tonchek

Gorgeous day for our first hike in northern Patagonia. Today we headed to the Laguna Tonchek named for a Slovenian climber, Tonchek Pangerc. A long hike up the Arroyo Van Titter lead us to this exquisite alpine tarn backed by the spires of Cerro Catedral.

Group at Laguna Tonchek

Group at Laguna Tonchek on our first hike in Argentina's Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Sunrise on Nahuel Huapi

Morning majesty over the waters of Lago Nahuel Lake. A hike up the Arroyo Van Titter to Refugio Frey and Laguna Toncheck await today.

In Patagonia

A rainbow arches over Lago Naheul Huapi seen from the Hotel Cacique Inacayal in Bariloche. I have arrived in northern Patagonia and it's lovely.