Perito Moreno Glacier
Up early so we can get to Glaciers National Park before the tour buses. The drive is about 1.5hrs from this apartment so not a long one. Weather today is partly cloudy, no rain and temps in the low 60’s.
As I said earlier, this park has 47 different glaciers but the mother of all glaciers, Perito Moreno Glacier, is the one that we, and most others, come to see. It’s quite the glacier. These glaciers are in what’s known as the Southern Patagonia Icefield. This icefield has been measured by NASA to be roughly 13,000 square kilometers or 5,020 sq.mi., almost the exact size of the state of Connecticut. (NASA also says there is 5,500 gigatons of ice in these fields – never heard of a gigaton)
The glacier is named after Francisco Moreno (Perito is Spanish for “specialist” in honor of Francisco’s work) who played a key role in a border dispute between Chile and Argentina during the 19th century.
On the road to Glacier National Park
That’s a tour boat in the center, just for size reference.
1st iceberg
I said it is big, and it is. Unlike most glaciers in the world, the Perito Moreno glacier is actually growing about 2 meters each day, not shrinking. The glacier covers over 100 square miles and ranges from 40 meters (131’) to 78 meters (256’) tall at the water line. Scientists measured the depth of the glacier at about mid-point and say it’s about 700 meters (2,300’) thick. It is the third largest fresh water reserve on Earth! About every 5 years the glacier reaches the other side of Lake Argentino creating a dam. As the water pressure builds, it soon ruptures through the glacier causing huge chunks of ice to collapse into the lake. And once again the lake is free.
Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the many viewing platforms along the trails
Looks like the Matterhorn (not in Disneyland – in Switzerland)
Because this is such a popular tourist site, the government has invested in a great infrastructure to enable visitors to see the glacier from many viewpoints. Today we’ll take two of the trails, the red and yellow trails, that takes about 3hrs to complete. Lots of stairs and a long way around so we’re pretty glad it’s a bit cooler. Otherwise, could end up sweating worse than Mamma June after a hot yoga session. Should be back home in time for cocktail hour!
One of the walkway trails
Moreno Glacier
Iceberg
Tomorrow we’re going to the small(er) town of El Chalten for a chance to see Mount Fitz Roy. Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate.
Cheers.