Glacier heaven

Back on the bus for the 3 hour transfer and a second chance for a coffee at the remote La Leona “hotel“ where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid holed up in 1905 after robbing banks in Rio Gallegos.

Then , an enjoyable stroll through the streets of El Calafate, a rapidly expanding town enjoying a boom from increased tourism.

We visited the lakeside nature reserve, well organised and with plenty of bird life to see.

Spectacled Tyrant

Chimango

However, we were here for the town’s big draw, the Perito Moreno glacier, one of only two expanding glaciers in the world and relatively accessible to visit. An hour in the bus took us to a boat to cross the lake for a “ mini trek “ for an hour a half on the glacier itself, yes, a bit touristy but actually it was a really memorable experience. Photographs cannot capture the creaking and groaning and occasional massive cracking noises from all around you.The exposed edge is from 50 to 70 m high and about twice that under the water.

Our boat is at the bottom of the picture to give an idea of scale!

A very windy crossing!

Fabulous colours seen in melt water in crevices

Then we went on to the "boardwalks" facing the glacier from the other side of the lake where you have a different and closer view and also hope that you will see some " calving "i.e. large pieces falling off and we did get to see a few chunks coming away with resounding sound effects.

Calving..

A great day!