Being much more befitting of an adventurer I chose the latter !
With "hero" points up for grabs we all exceeded our comfort zone on todays stunning trek. Henley achieved a 17km finish, not bad for a guy who could barely do a lap of the hotel a few days before, while Monika with her dodgy knee also did a similar distance - both great efforts !
In search of ultimate hero status though I took on a few extra kms that included a 1hr / 1km climb (30%) up to the iconic Mt Fitz Roy viewpoint and was now about to find out how many personal "bits"i might injure on descent !
After yesterdays rain / wind fest we set off early on the famed Laguna de los Tres trek with some degree of trepidation about track conditions following overnight rain. We need not have worried !
The first section (1&1/2hrs) was almost entirely up hill as we climbed out of El Chalten on a well defined dirt path with lovely early morning valley views.
Henley in particular looked every part the adventurer .... well every part except the carrying a plastic bag instead of a back pack part !
The second section (nearly 2 hrs) was mainly flat taking us through forest and scrub scenery along a rocky trail providing for early stunning views of sun bathed Mt Fitz Roy.
The view would have been collectively enjoyed if H and Monika had not turned off behind me and taken a secondary route (thankfully for them both routes eventually rejoined) leaving me mystified to their disappearance !
In the perfect morning conditions the jagged peaks of Fitz Roy and the nearby glaciers stood out like beacons providing an alluring and challenging destination
Having bumped back into Kev and Monika at base camp i continued on with the "ball busting" climb while the guys returned to El Chalten mission accomplished and lots of great photos taken
The difficult ascent was worth it as I finally emerged to the iconic view of the 3,400 metre Mtn right in front of me !
The wiseness of my decision to climb was a bit questionable when a quick look around established that most of those present appeared to be under 30 !
Taking in this incredible view I took lunch while snapping a 100 or so shots before then descending on the treacherous rocky & slippery surface.
Having had a dig at Kev and Monika for taking the wrong route on the way I nearly did similar having to retrace my steps after the scenery started to get very different !
I was busy working on my Hero acceptance speech on my return figuring that it might have to be given posthumously as with 4kms to go i'd run out of water and could barely raise my right leg off the ground having obviously strained my knee on the descent !.
Back at camp (our appartment) I arrived after nearly 10 hours and hobbled inside to be greeted by 2 equally exhausted adventurers but boy did we have a day to remember !
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| Start of the days climb |
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| First view of stunning Mt Fitz Roy |
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| The last steep climb |
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| Face to face with Fit Roy |
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| Magical Fitz Roy |
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| Selfie time |
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| Henley goes off the beaten path ! |
Wow wow wow! Stunning scenery and photography. Glad you all survived.
ReplyDeleteAlways said if we were meant to walk, the being that lives in the sky would not have invented wheels. Good to see H keeping you sane.
ReplyDeleteG’day Litchy. Finallly, at last, long overdue, about time, why so long ???? It is the return of your SELFIE !!!!
ReplyDelete