Post by Ella
I think when we get to Cordoba on Wednesday, we will have more reliable internet. For now, in El Calafate, downloading photos is awfully slow. So, this will be in bits and pieces.
As we twisted our way towards the glacier on the narrow road, our driver, Nicklaus, stopped once to point out a gliding condor and another time to see a family of chochoikas, (maybe rheas.?) which are ostrich-like birds, but much smaller.
The “entrance” to the glacier is a viewpoint and a map of four color coded paths to wander for different views of the towering wall of ice and the ice flow behind. We were early enough to beat the big tour busses. Nicklaus said just WhatsApp him when we were ready. Didn’t matter how long he said. Being overachievers when it comes to walking, of course we did them all, except green, which was closed.
Spectacular views, not only of the glacier, but the surrounding snow covered peaks shrouded in mist. Here are a few pics. You can see in one photo that a “path” is really a steel walkway with wood railings. Lots of stairs.
Are the numbers on the trail map length or elevation gain? Based on the times listed I think length can’t be right, unless it’s a saunter. But elevation gain doesn’t quite fit either.
The hours really indicate a crawl because the distances are not great All 4 trails supposedly add up to 4 km.