Chasing Ice in Patagonia ❄️
After conquering the 150.92-kilometer (93.77-mile) extended W trek in 6 days, I finally escaped the stunning, yet brutal, beauty of Torres del Paine, Chile. The hike was undoubtedly challenging, with steep ascents, river crossings, and unpredictable weather. But the rewards were immeasurable. The panoramic views of the mountains, glaciers, and lakes were simply breathtaking, and I'll cherish the memories I made with my fellow hikers forever. After a quick 1-hour and 15-minute drive back to Puerto Natales, southern Chile, I ditched my heavy backpack and indulged in a well-deserved feast. The next morning, I was up bright and early, ready to conquer the border crossing into Argentina. A 6-hour and 48-minute journey later, I arrived at my next destination: the jaw-dropping Perito Moreno Glacier, the los Glaciares National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site. If you thought the Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine was impressive, wait until you see this ice behemoth! Both glaciers are part of the same massive ice field, making Patagonia a true ice lover's paradise. Perito Moreno is like a small country made entirely of ice. The 250 km² (97 sq mi) ice formation, 30 km (19 mi) long, is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes mountain range, which it shares with Chile, which has a small part of the glacier's origin. This ice field is the world's third-largest reserve of fresh water and the third largest ice cap in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. The Southern Patagonian Ice Field stretches approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) from north to south, covers roughly 16,800 square kilometers (6,500 square miles), and generally sits at an elevation of around 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level. Since 2020, the glacier has been retreating on its northern front, possibly due to climate change. It was previously one of the few unusual glaciers that maintained a state of equilibrium during the late 20th and early 21st centuries because it was accumulating mass at a rate similar to its loss. The reason for its unusually long period of stability remains debated by glaciologists. The terminus of the Perito Moreno Glacier is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide, with an average height of 74 m (240 ft) above the surface of the water of Argentino Lake in Argentina. It has a total ice depth of 170 meters (558 ft). I'm still reeling from the sheer size and otherworldly beauty of this icy giant. Stay tuned for more updates from my Patagonian adventure!