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Cerro Fitz Roy (Fitz Roy Mountain), which was named Cerro Chaltén by the Tehuelches Indians, which means “blue peak”, and Cerro Torre, are granite peaks which stand at the northern limit of Los Glaciares National Park.
The South of Argentina, which borders on Chile, constitutes one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The mountain ranges of the Andes and their giant glaciers neighbor the immense and wild expanses of Patagonia… We feel very alone in this scenery of all superlatives!
Around Fitz Roy
The “towns”, which are actually villages spread around a gas station, are widely spaced, the Estancias are hidden and road traffic on “Ruta 40” is much reduced. Nature is hardly welcoming around here: a flora without or almost no trees, thorn trees in place of grass, fauna pleasant to see but often barely visible, and a windy climate like on the Ocean, with winds from Particularly strong regular west.
Despite its modest altitude (3,405 meters, that’s 400 meters less than the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix, which is accessible by cable car…), it’s one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the world. The technical conditions are extremely difficult, the compact granite offers little grip, accentuated by the wind and the cold.
The shapes of these tower peaks (the Cerro) are very pure. Several glaciers intrude between the peaks while numerous lakes, including the beautiful Lago Torre, set at the foot of Cerro Torre in a dream scenery, dot the landscape.
Going to see the Fitz Roy is no easy feat. Here, we are far from everything, hundreds of kilometers from Rio Gallegos in Argentina, or Puerto Natales in Chile. There’s a village, El Chaltén, that some have thought could be compared to Chamonix. Except that the small town of El Chaltén has, in the high summer season, only 300 inhabitants, and in winter it’s a ghost village… But it’s the obligatory place of passage and gathering of rare mountaineers, who have the courage to attempt the ascent of these indomitable peaks.
The Fitz Roy mountain is a very famous climbing place, including for Europeans and North Americans. It’s a mythical and dizzying mountain. You don’t have to climb it to see it… a simple trek at the foot of this vertical wall and you’ll feel tiny. This is indeed the capital of national trekking. Many splendid hikes to observe Fitz Roy from all angles and in complete safety…
We have several hikes which form the great “classics”. People come from all over the world to follow these trails, which have made the region famous. I cite, of course, the famous Laguna de los Tres, which will take you to the foot of Fitz Roy, where the view is truly dizzying, with Laguna Sucia below. I also mention Laguna Torre, another walk that will take you to the foot of Cerro Torre, an exceptionally beautiful mountain.
Last but not least, for those in good physical shape, you must undertake the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado walk. This is an extraordinary walk to be done only if the sky is clear. This walk will give you the most beautiful views of the Fitz Roy mountain and Cerro Torre, also this route is very uncrowded, so you’ll encounter fewer people. More than 1,000 meters of elevation gain for a view you won’t soon forget.
There are other walks, other areas rarely visited by tourists, because they are further away. These are sites that are just as exceptional and even wilder. The Huemul Reserve is my big favorite in the region. For those who want to take the time to linger in the sector. This large reserve of 6,000 hectares is on the edge of the national park, and nature is even more preserved.
At the entrance, you’ll appreciate the interpretation center. Then, you’ll discover the trails and a forest, very little marked by human presence, in fact you’ll not come across many people. Here more than anywhere else, you’ll have the opportunity to see the famous “Huemul”: the Patagonian deer.
Finally, many “small” glaciers are present in the region. It’s possible to cross Desert Lake, which is yet another incredible site of beauty and tranquility. Horseback riding and rafting on the Las Vueltas river can also be on the program.
I go there once a year, and each time I feel the same wonder at the landscapes where Mother Nature expresses all her force.