Repost This ArticleExploring an endangered resource in Argentine Patagonia.
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Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno Glacier, viewed from nearby Bahia de las Sombras. Perito Moreno forms part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the world's third-largest reserve of fresh water. It is one of only three stable glaciers in Patagonia.
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Final approach
The final approach to Perito Moreno involves a boat trip over the Brazo Rico branch of Lago Argentino, Argentina's largest freshwater lake. The icebergs, broken off from Perito Moreno's constantly collapsing edge, will last just a few weeks before melting away.
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Perito Moreno from the beach
Taking a minute to admire Perito Moreno from the beach. At a maximum depth of over 1,600 feet, the waters surrounding the glacier are deeper than any of the Great Lakes.Intermission
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After landing
It's a quick hike along the shore to get to the glacier's base. There, hikers don crampons before beginning the climb to the top.
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The group climbs in single file
Following the path stamped out by previous groups' bootprints to avoid crevasses.
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First-timers
Guides instruct first-time crampon users to go "up like a duck, down like a monkey" - toes turned out on ascent, feet straight and knees bent on descent.
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Top
The top of the glacier is a maze of tooth-like spurs and cracks, formed by erosion and the glacier's constant movement. Without sunglasses, the sun's reflection off of the compacted ice is almost blinding.
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The surface of Perito Moreno
Dotted with ponds and flooded crevasses, eroded by running water from the glacier's spring melt.
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Deception
Though they may appear shallow, the crevasses can be hundreds of feet in depth. The wells often lead to cave-like systems of horizontal chambers and passages, formed where the melt water reached a layer of ice too hard to penetrate.
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In case of emergency
Guides keep harnesses, ropes, and other rescue equipment cached in barrels at various points around the trail.
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Before leaving the glacier
Hikers celebrate a successful trek with a whiskey toast. Appropriately, it's served on ice.
Adam Roy
Chicago native Adam Roy is the former-Editor of Matador Sports and an aspiring renaissance man to boot. For more of Adam's writing, check out his blog at Ill-Advised Adventures.
Sweet photos. I’m so excited to be there in about a month!
Great photos! I was there in April but it was a bit overcast. Did you do the Big Ice tour?
Pictures worth a thousand words; froze my butt-off looking and almost grabbed the drink in photo #11 !
Unbelievable, Adam. You had me with the first shot.
Did this exactly 4 mths ago! Amazing!
Glad you got such excellent weather, and it looks like a great time!
Well done! And lovely pics, of course.
Beautiful; I especially liked #1.
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