February 2 - Poincenot to De Agostini

Today is move to the next campsite day, but first get up early and try to get some pictures of the sunrise on the mountains.  I got this nice shot of the mountains to the left of Fitz Roy.

Unfortunately, Fitz Roy is playing hide and seek in the clouds.  I just got this peek at his left flank.

I give up after the pink goes away, make brekky and break camp.  Off we go.  Look at the frost on the boardwalk.  I thought I was summer camping!

About halfway there I walk by Laguna Madre & Hija (Mother and Daughter Lakes).

I'm doing a triangular trek.  Here's a bad photograph of a beaten up map, but it will give you an idea of what I'm doing. On the 30th I started in El Chalten and followed the red line to Poincenot.  Then I went to Laguna de los Tres.  Yesterday I dayhiked (yellow lines) to Piedras Blancas and back to Launa Capri.  Today is the green line to Laguna Torre and camping at De Agopstini.  Tomorrow is (hopefully) following the orange line out.

Partway down the trail, I look back up towards Fitz Roy and, being stubborn, hang around for a half hour trying to catch Fitz Roy out of the clouds.  These were the best I could do - a close up and a wider shot.

Today will be all about Cerro Torre (Tower Mountain).  This beast was almost thought to be impossible top climb and there are many stories connected with it. 

This is one of my first views up the valley.  Most of the peaks are in clouds, but you can just pick out the very sharp peak of Cerro Torre, just to the right of centre of the photo.

I get into camp and set up before heading out further up the valley to a lookout.  You can't see Cerro Torre from the camp, but as I walk out there she is - cloudless!  The lake in front is Laguna Torre.  (BTW - "Laguna" and "Lago" are both used to refer to lakes, but I don't know the difference).

A closer view of C. Torre.  You can see why it was considered almost impossible to climb.  Besides the shear sides, there were problems with ice falls on the climbers.

Further along here is a good view of 'Glaciar Grande' along with all the peaks.  That's pretty much as far up the valley as they let us types go.  IO think climbers get in further along here, but I couldn't see the route.

On the way back - here's one for you Bruce.  Looking down the valley I can see at least 4 terminal morraines associated with this glacier.


That's it for today.  I'm set up in camp.  It is lovely, sunny and warm.  My tent is set up, my laundry is hung out.  The only thing missing is a glass of wine!  See you tomorrow.