Long Break, Part I: Rain and Sun in El Chaltén

Finally taking time to document winter/summer break, dividing travels into several parts. It was a thrill to have travel companions for the first two stops in Patagonia, dear friends from our first four years in Delhi. There was much time spent reminiscing (and laughing) about our shared adventure in India, catching up on life in our current locations, and sketching out a multitude of possibilities for the years ahead. The boys loved the extra attention and many treats from the USA such as: a box of Dunkin' Donuts, some Red Sox swag, and a Kylo Ren lightsaber.

The first stop was four days in El Chaltén, located in southern Patagonia. It was an easy non-stop flight to El Calafate followed by two or three hours by car, heading north into Los Glaciares National Park. We stopped along the way to take in our first view of a brilliant blue glacial lake.

We settled into our cabin, went on a short hike (trails go in every direction from town) and then settled in for the night. It was Christmas Eve and as always, Santa managed to find the boys before morning.

What made Christmas day even more special was snow! The first the Asa and Liam had seen since 2010, our last winter in Maine. Our group went out for a wet hike through the giant snowflakes and built "Bob", the snowman.

The snow turned into steady rain so we hunkered in for a couple of lazy days. Just when we were getting a bit stir-crazy, the owner of the cabins offered to drive us to a trailhead just outside of town for a short hike up to see a glacier. We layered on just about everything in our suitcase and headed out.

Water safe to drink, straight from the source:

They did not actually hitchhike:

On the drive back, the curtain of clouds moved aside and we were treated to our first views of El Chaltén's namesake:

The sunshine continued into the following day and the weather was perfect for our trip to the Viedma Glacier. First, a boat ride across the lake:

Then a scramble up and across rocks to reach the (receding) ice:

Then everyone was fitted with crampons for a little trek on the glacier itself.

Looking cool in crampons:

Liam peeks into a crevice:

 Our travel group!

The Laguna Torre trail is a "must do" for visitors to this town and we were disappointed that there was not enough time with cooperative weather to do the full-day (18km) trek. We vowed to return! Instead, we did the first bit of the trail (about an hour out and an hour back) on our last morning before catching a bus headed south.

Quick stop back at the cabin to pack up and say goodbye to our lovely hosts:

Next stop: El Calafate!