Ice Climbing, Ice Trekking and Ice Cream

Because I just could not get enough of the glaciers, I decided to try ice climbing on Glaciar Viedma near El Chalten. I really don't have any warm clothes, but wore everything I owned out there and still nearly froze. I watched as my guide gracefully and quickly mastered the ice wall without a rope. Of course, I used a rope and would have fallen off the mountain if it wasn't there. Ice climbing reminded me a little of rock climbing although a little easier because I had crampons and ice sticks to pierce the walls for support. I managed to climb to the top on various different ice walls with no major injuries.



After ice climbing, we explored the various crevices of the glacier and admired the bright glacier blue color that sparkled in the sunlight. The compactness of the ice causes the light to travel farther creating the blueness. We trekked through ice tunnels and drank from the streams flowing along. The glacier water is the purest water I have ever drank and probably the coldest. After the long day, I ended it with ice cream, which seems to be a national dish for Argentinians and my favorite food.