A look back in time... 2 years ago - (1/12/09)

Here is an excerpt from what I thought was my most difficult hike back in the days. I can just imagine what I will write about the trip to Gokyo Ri! In this trip, I was hiking around El Chalten area in the argentinian Patagonia for 4 days.

Enjoy!

"El Chalten - Lago de los 3 (Poincenot)

The sleep wasnt that comfortable in these mattresses they gave us. I kept waking up with Ed on top of me and either cold or hot. My cold got worse after that night too... sucks! Got some Mate for breakfast with Dulce de Leche and bread. Good energy content for what is coming.
Got packed and left to cross to Cerro Fitz Roy. We knew there was a 300 ft elevation gain but before that we had to cross a mountain... big ass mountain and totally unexpected. The trail was very steep and long at the beginning. We made a stop at Lago Hija and got clean a bit. The lake was very clear and the water wasnt too cold. Aaron went in naked making an spectacle for the other hikers trying to go to Fitz Roy.
After that we hiked all the way to the campsite where we had lunch: peaches, juice and cereal bars. The hike took around 5 hrs. We took a rest for about 2 hrs and then got ready for the next hike which includes a 500 mt elevation gain (I think) in a very small distance. It was suppose to take 1.5 hr but .. oh well!

Worst hikes ever so far:
1. Crater Lake
2. Lago de los tres

(Funny drawing of the hike)

There are no words tto describe how high and inclined the trail is to Lago de los tres. The only thing is that there was more wind I probably wouldnt make it. You stop and you feel the inclination plus the trail is very deteriorated. At least there was a trail... not like in Crater Lake. shhzz!
We went up and there was more... and up and more... you could even see the trail from the camp site cuz it is so high. After around 2.5 hrs of struggling we made it to the top but I lost the guys so I took a different way to the lake. I followed the trail that goes up to the beginning of climbing Fitz Roy and realized a bit too late to go back. I ended up sliding down this snow field to get down to the lake. lol.
We took plenty of pics but the sun was right behind the peak so it was making it difficult for us to take pictures. On the way down my knees were killing me but what a sight that lake is... beautiful and very light blue.
The shadow of the 3 main peaks was reflected on the valley as the sun was going down. Up there you could see Lake Viedma and all the valley that we hiked to go to the campsite. Im glad I made it! I am very happy for myself but my knees would me make pay for it.
Once in the campsite we made our pollo a la portuguesa with pasta and played face 10 until we finished the wine. It wa getting cold and windy so we went inside the tent and played a bit until we were just tired. I forgot to mention that I was hoping the letrina here was better but someone missed the hole and actually took a crap where you are supposed to stand. Disgusting! I am definitely holding it until we get back to El Chalten. I just peed in the woods around the campsite. What a day... and what a trip this camping experience was."