(Jump to chapter 38 or chapter 39)

Chapter 37: A Big Decision in Northern Argentina

Chapter 38: Locked Down

The endlessly warm, sunny weather made it easy to socialize outdoors

Chapter 39: Patagonia and the End of the Road

So many lakeside camps, monkey puzzle trees, fishing, and hiking

Gorgeous hike up Cerro Belvedere outside of Villa la Angostura town:

Rock hopping hike from the top of a ski lift out to the climbers’ refugio Frey:

Lilly’s climbing breakthrough at Piedra Parada:

Happy days in Piedra Parada canyon. We ended up climbing 3 days in a row, always going to routes that would be good for Lilly, unwilling to risk breaking the spell of comfort and happiness that had descended upon her.

The Famous Patagonian Wind

We can’t open the door of the van if we’re facing away from the wind, for fear it would be ripped off.

We see metal road signs on two large stakes sunk in concrete in the ground – snapped in half simply by force of wind!

When I crouch down to pee next to the van, the pee travels horizontally.

Motorcycles traveling towards us are riding at a 45 degree angle, to compensate for the wind.

These signs are posted everywhere:

We each did a wind photo – can you guess which one we faked?

lol

El Chalten – the real Patagonia!

Driving towards the jagged peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre felt surreal. This was the “Patagonia” that we had heard about for so many years. This was the true ending of our epic road trip that we’ve been planning and living for so long!

We enjoyed countless amazing hikes starting in El Chalten.

It looks like a fake back drop, even when you’re there in person!

Perito Moreno glaciar made for a good spontaneous science lesson. There was a regular cracking and booming noise as enormous chunks of ice flaked off and crashed into the lake.

Lilly’s first multi-pitch climb

Since Lilly’s climbing breakthrough in Piedra Parada, we climbed in a couple of other areas in Patagonia and she continued to be psyched. So, we detoured on the way home from Patagonia to re-visit our favorite climbing area in Argentina – Arenales, near Mendoza. Last time we were here, before COVID, we climbed only a little because we felt bad leaving Lilly at the base by herself. This time, we had our sights set on Lilly’s first multi-pitch climb! (“Multi-pitch” = first person climbs up, second person joins them up top, and then you continue another rope length higher, and another, and another, eventually getting to a summit).

Our campsite for 4 days. River is just on other side of van. Lovely spot!

We did a 3 pitch climb the first day, and Lilly had no issues. So then we made a plan for a long route to summit a spire the following day – El Zorro, 210 meters (about 700 feet), one section of 5.8 but mostly 5.6. We hiked to a statue of Jesus and started climbing! Lilly got scared in two tough spots but she climbed to the top with a smile on her face. What a day!

Spot Vancito parked at the river way down at the bottom? (top of photo):

Proud family on the summit!

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