Our 90 minute bus trip to the park was done in a race against the forecast pm rain and winds of up to 65kms an hour. If we had any doubt about what that meant we were soon to find out as the outside indicated temperature plummeted nearly 7c as we descended from the entrance to the National Park past some seriously WOW glimpses, to our bus terminus just short of the Glacier
Boarding another shuttle bus we were soon transported to the top of a hill to begin our incredible walkway journey.
We'd come prepared ... well at least some of us - H had decided against carrying water "It's too bloody hard to carry in my Diamonte plastic bag"; and was relying on his not so waterproof Ground Effects cycle jacket and his smelly full fingered Cycle gloves to protect him from the now beginning to get heavier drizzle !
We didn't worry too much initially though as the amazingly designed walkway soon took us to incredible viewpoints surrounding the Glacier.
One sign poignantly indicated there'd been over 32 deaths between 1968-88 from flying ice - we therefore decided that it was a good idea to keep to the well protected walkways !!!
The close up views provided for amazing scenes that included the deep blue hue of the frozen ice, the sharp craggy glacial peaks and the occasional roar and resultant mini tsunami from calved ice falling into the river
The stairways seemed to go on for km's as we took seemingly hundreds of photos as we looked on awestruck.
Pretty much soaked through by the time we'd completed the circuit we temporarily retreated to the Parks restaurant to dry out (impossible) warm up (nearly as impossible) and take in a hot cuppa while waiting for our afternoon boat ride !
Putting back on our wet gear we boarded a boat that took us out towards the face of the Glacier - it was almost like approaching the Wall on the Game of Thrones !
Although mainly frozen Kev and I soon occupied shielded positions on deck prepared to throw overboard anyone who crossed our space ! Henley was not in a good mood having already been thrown out of the "Shitta" as he calls it and having been asked to get out of the way by some photo taking tourist ! I felt that the next person to ask him to move was likely to end up overboard !
Despite getting more soaked (Monika included) we took in some spectacular scenery on our 60 minute journey although sadly without any calving ice to entertain (read scare the crap out of us !}
Back on board our bus the heaters were on full bore to help dry our clothes and bring life back into our frozen parts
Finally back in El Calafate there was time to reminisce on a fabulous outing before heading back into town late pm for one of those well deserved and famed Argentinian Steaks !
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| Kev trying to warm up ! |
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| Amazing ! |
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| It's wet ! |
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| Incredible landscape ! |
Sent from my iPad
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