After returning to Ushuaia from Antartica, I was at a bit of a loss about
what to do next. I went back to camp in the Tierro del Fugeo national park (la
pataia), because that place is amazing. It ended up snowing the 4 days I was
there, so most the time I was in my tent, but the air was still magic. This is
my favorite park in South America.
After leaving Ushuaia, I headed to El Chalten, the nation’s
hiking capital. I camped behind my host, Flor’s house/ shop.
She lives with her
boyfriend and 3 children. I spent about 2 weeks in this charming village. I met
lots of travelers also camping in her backyard.
There were many adventures had,
including a group day trek and skinny dip in a mountain lake.
I did some solo treks to some glaciers.
While at Flor’s, we had cordillero (lamb) one night, the
region’s specialty.
Part of the reason I stayed in Chalten so long was because
it’s difficult hitchhiking north or east of the town, everyone goes south. I
had to wait for Flor’s family to come visit her from a town in the east which
is where I was headed.
Her mother and sister came and gave me a lift to Piedra
Buena. They are really generous lovely people. I stayed with them, above their
ice cream shop/ café for 3 days.
We did a lot of cooking exchange. The town is
charming and small with a lake, some wooded area, and lots of flowers and art
around the town.
