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Saturday, February 05, 2011

Perito Moreno Glacier -- a HIGHLIGHT!

We are back in Argentina in El Calafate to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. During trip research I had identified the Glacier to be of high interest and had been looking forward to it. Expectations were high. Nevertheless, when we reached the park, I was in awe, even after having seen the Pio XI Glacier from the Navimag. Never before I had ever beheld a sight so magnificent.

The Perito Moreno has a pointed front that directly faces a peninsula that has miles of boardwalk that allows one to truly appreciate the glacier. From the top decks, it is very evident the glacier is a frozen river. From the lower decks, one can hear ice cracking and watch icebergs dropping. The glacier does things -- John had promised me. I was not expecting the frequency (every 10-15 minutes) icebergs break off from the glacier and crash into the water. If it were more often, the crackling and booming sounds would be like fireworks.

We had seven hours at the glacier. Much of the time it was very windy. At one point we had to duck into the cafeteria for coffee. Otherwise, I could have just sat there watching the alluring colors and listening to the magical sounds of the glacier all day long. In fact if the weather had been worse, I would have insisted that we return to the park the second day.

Watching the Perito Moreno from the boardwalk.
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A large chunk of ice plunges into the water.
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The two of us.
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The North Face.
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An ice cave on The South Face.
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Sun-Ling takes in the action.
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A few more photos.

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6 comments:

Crash Eddy said...

Remarkable! I had to surf your link to decipher how the glacier has South and North faces and how a "rupture" occurs. Didn't realize how far South latitude you have progressed, beyond Australia's southern reaches. I guess I missed that travel.

hollie said...

Just checked in to see where you two are now. The glacier sounds mesmerizing!

Sun-Ling said...

@Ed, the boat took us a good 1000km down. We are still a 500km+(as the crow flies) from the cape.

Sun-Ling said...

@Hollie, good to hear from you! Thanks for checking on us.

Kathy said...

Finally catching up with you again. That glacier looks totally awesome! And cold - I'm so tired of heat and humidity I've bee thinking of Scandinavia instead of S. America for my next trip.

Sun-Ling said...

@Kathy, I know the feeling. I am wilting from the heat in Buenos Aires, but have the cool highlands in the north to look forward to.

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