Day 6 on the W Trail: Patagonia's Frozen Cathedral.
Grey Glacier is surrounded by three national parks: Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile), Torres del Paine (Chile), and Los Glaciares (Argentina). Grey Glacier itself is a colossal 24 kilometers (15 miles) long, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) wide, and over 30 meters (98 feet) tall, divided into three fronts. This ice giant has been steadily retreating due to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. While natural glacial retreat is a normal process, climate change has accelerated this process significantly. Grey Glacier has lost a staggering 19 square kilometers (7.3 square miles) in the past 30 years. Its total ice mass of 244 square kilometers (94 square miles) has been continuously receding since 1945. Huge chunks of ice regularly break off from the glacier's face and float in the lake. In fact, a fifth of the glacier's mass is above the water's surface. These icebergs twist and turn as they seek a new gravitational balance. Many become grounded near the lake's outlet or along its eastern shore. Why is the ice blue? As the ice is compressed, melts, and recrystallizes over time, the deeper ice in the glacier becomes almost airless. This dense, bubble-free ice absorbs all colors except blue, giving it its distinctive hue. Life on the glacier? Absolutely! The Patagonia Dragon is a tiny insect, no more than 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) long, that lives its entire life within the ice of Aysén and Magallanes. Native to these regions, its presence is a strong indicator of excellent water quality. PS Number ONE on Explore on August 19th., 2024.