You may have been wondering why it’s been so quiet on the Operation Wanderlust front, so here’s why. Beth Ann and I just got back from an 18 day trek around (and in) the Annapurna Himal. We had a fantastic time! Trekking in the Annapurna region is known as “teahouse trekking” wherein [...]
Posts under ‘Treks’
Aconcagua, Argentina, in Brief
Yesterday, we wrapped up our fifth solo trek to Aconcagua Provincial Park. We didn’t attempt to ascend the tallest mountain in the western hemisphere (6962 m / 22841 ft) but instead camped for two nights at Plaza Confluencia (3400 m / 11152 ft), the first base camp on the Normal Route, and did a challenging [...]
Aconcagua, Argentina, in Detail
Saturday, January 30, 2010
We had secured our “Short Trekking” permit two days earlier upon our arrival to Mendoza. This permit allows trekking in the park for three days, camping no higher than Plaza Confluencia, and hiking no higher than Plaza Francia. There are two other permits available. The “Long Trekking” permit allows [...]
Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina
Thursday, January 22, 2010
After a leisurely breakfast and completing a few tasks that required Internet access we set out for our trek and ran into some problems. We are not the type to complain (too much) but we were beginning to wonder if weren’t met to go hiking.
Problem One: Taxi Drivers Strike!
This might not [...]
Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, Part 2
We met our guide and the rest of our group for an early start. After a fast paced hike to the XXX campground, we stopped to put on our harnesses and get our crampons. From there we continued to the Tyrolean Traverse at the outlet of Lago Torre (XXX). A Tyrolean Traverse is a rope [...]
Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, Part 1
Sunday, January 10, 2010
We met Tom at El Calafate airport. He showed up with an enormous duffel bag filled with Zone bars, Clif bars, and trail mix. We caught a van shuttle to El Chalten (~3 hours) with a brief pit stop at some type of estancia. Near the end of the trip, [...]
Ushuaia, Argentina, Part 2
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The day started off as a disappointment. We learned from the information office that the Paso de la Oveja – the 3-day / 2-night trek in Tierra del Fuego National Park that our hearts were set on – was closed. The pass itself was still covered with snow due to [...]
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park was formed by the glaciers of the Southern Patagonian icecap, known as the Hielo Sur. Today, four major glaciers extend into the park – Dickson, Grey (the largest), Pingo, and Tyndall/Geikie. The Paine Massif lies at the center of the park, surrounded by various glacial lakes. The [...]
El Misti
Thursday, November 12, 2009
El Misti is a dormant volcano (5825 m) near Arequipa popular for climbing due to its lack of technical complexity. It is one of three near the city, the other two being Pichu Pichu (~5600 m) and Chachani (6000+ m). For the El Misti trek I went with my big pack but [...]