“I climbed a path and from the top looked up-stream towards Chile. I could see the river, glinting and sliding through the bone-white cliffs with strips of emerald cultivation either side. Away from the cliffs was the desert. There was no sound but the wind, whirring through thorns and whistling through dead grass, and no other sign of life but a hawk, and a black beetle easing over white stones.” – Bruce Chatwin, “In Patagonia”
Getting to the end of the world takes a very long time. After multiple flights starting due north in Minneapolis, I found myself arriving at literally the end of the world in El Calafate, Argentina. From 44.9 degrees north to 49.3 degrees south, it would take another three and a half hour bus ride to reach El Chalten, a tiny Patagonian outpost that marks the setting off point for Los Glaciares National Park.
It is hard to believe that Argentina and Chile stretch for so many miles from north to south (Chile is an extremely long country covering 2,653 miles from north to south while Argentina is slightly shorter at 2,268 miles from north to south). During the flight south you can really capture the amazing distance between the two ends of the country as the landscape and geography dramatically change from lush, green farmland and pastures to barren, wind-blown, flat pampas and jagged, snow-capped mountains and glaciers. It is like going from one extreme to the other and the change is quite startling.
We boarded the one and only bus to El Chalten around 6:30 pm, just as the sun began to set across the vast, flat pampas and the bus was completely silent for the remainder of the ride. The bus meandered down the desolate, barren Ruta 22 taking us through windswept pampas and a vast amount of nothingness. It was the most extreme surroundings I’ve ever seen.
We arrived in El Chalen at night in the dark. It first appeared as a glimpse from the distance. It was black all around. Total darkness except for the soft light coming from the bus headlights, bouncing off the barren landscape and empty pavement. No street lights. No cars. Nothing. Just darkness.
Then there it was. First a twinkling of light. And then more.
Several old fashioned lampposts lined the streets of the small mountain town, an outpost, at the end of the world. It reminded me of some kind of Hollywood movie set for an old western film that used to run on TV in the middle of the night. It was like no place I’d ever been; it didn’t feel real.
The bus drove down the one and only street, slowly passing rustic shops, restaurants and small, dated hotels until in no time it reached the makeshift bus station, a small, basic backpackers’ hostel. We got off the bus, with knees aching and fatigue setting in, to find our host, Diego, smiling and welcoming us to the car. We drove the short distance to our small, basic hotel, El Puma, and settled into our room. But our night could not end without a much necessary bottle of deep, ruby red Malbec and a conversation with Diego about the hikes planned for the next few days. I was looking forward to exploring this mysterious, remote land. When I reached the room, I had no problem drifting suddenly and soundly asleep into a blissful, restful sleep.
The next few days we explored our new surroundings and were spellbound like many before us by the magical lore of Patagonia.
This post was written in response to Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post: Surroundings. To read more entries, click here.
Great photos. I’ve wanted to visit Patagonia since I moved to Wales, it’s the only other place in the world where Welsh is spoken as a first language, albeit only in one community.
Oh, that is true! I remember learning that when I was there. How cool is that? You would love it there I’m sure. I’ve been three times and I’m addicted! 🙂
Great Post – loving your photos – thanks for sharing! Happy Sunday:)
Thanks Renee!
Truly spectacular surroundings!
Thanks Jo!
wow what an adventure and amazing surroundings! the penultimate picture is fantastic!
Thank you! 🙂
forgot how magnificent this place is,,,, thx… s
Me too….makes me miss it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your great surroundings there my friend 🙂
Thanks for another great challenge!
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Beautiful photos, Nicole. 🙂
Thanks! Patagonia is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.
Wow! Utterly beautiful – really beyond any words. Amazing adventure!
Thank you! I sure loved it there.
Such a stunning place. It nearly leaves me without words, which doesn’t happen very often. I can never get enough of these images, Nicole.
Hugs,
Kathy
Ah thanks Kathy! Me and my mountains. Now I need another subject! 🙂
Nicole, when I first discovered your blog more than a year ago I was amazed by your travels. As you wrote more stories I became more and more inspired. And today, when I read this post I was really blown away by how many physically challenging trips you have done so far. You are such an inspiring person, indeed!
Oh Bama, thanks. I try! I’ve got my 70 year old dad to keep up with! We are already thinking and planning for next year’s hike….we’ll see! 🙂
What an adventure that you will never forget. Wonderful surroundings.
Thanks! I’ve been to Patagonia three times and if I could do it, I would keep going back. Just that there are so many other places to see as well! 🙂
I’m speechless….
🙂
Good Evening: Looks like I have to add *another* place to my list of places to see. Vonn Scott Bair
Great!!! So glad! 🙂
When I read your posts that include treks with your father, I am quietly touched by the beauty of your shared experiences. How lucky you both are to share the love of travel, outdoors and the willingness to take on new challenges.
This was an extra-special post. Thanks so much for sharing!
Z
I feel so blessed! My dad and I have a wonderful relationship and he actually takes each one of us three kids on a special trip each year. I’m the only one who likes the more extreme so usually it is my dad and I who do the hikes. Yes, these are amazing memories and I hope I can continue to pass and share my love of hiking, travel and nature with my kids someday! 🙂
Beautiful post, incredible experience! This is otherworldly! My son went to Argentina to study abroad, he got the chance to go there. We visited him there, but didn’t make it to Patagonia. After seeing your pictures, I really want to go! He’s going back in March on a Fulbright, so you never know…
Ok…you have to go! I have a bunch of posts on both Chile and Argentina! Check them out. Even if you don’t hike, there is so much to do and see!!!!
Brrrr … beautiful but cold. 😉
Yes! I love it there! 🙂
To repeat what so many have already said – truly breathtaking photos! I’ll be going to Patagonia in just a couple of weeks and seeing these has made me that much more excited. I was glad to click on the Patagonia tag to see that you’ve published a number of posts – thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Great time to be going for you! You will love it. Like no place I’ve been!
This is one place I have always wanted to go. You have just reinforced it. Lovely!
Thank you! Yes, Patagonia is unbelievable. The wildest landscape and weather I’ve ever seen! 🙂
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