We had a some great camps in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Argentina. Camping Lago Roca (located at the base of Cerro Crystal) had a general store, cafeteria, fishing equipment for hire, hot showers and very nice toilets! Hey…toilet facilities rank very high in importantance when you camp. And, it was relatively WARM here. Camp El Ricon was equally nice.
Our cook conjured up some great meals and I seem to remember that the campsite was relatively sheltered.

on the road to El Ricon

The next day, we climbed Cerro Crystal. A hike that had magnificant views of the entire region. Cerro Crystal is a non-technical peak that anyone can do. Short, but steep with rocky scree towards the top. We had to “scamper” over a ridge with incredible wind gusts. Heavier people might have been able to “scamper” but I had to literally crawl the length of the ridge on my hands and knees to keep from being blown off the top, muttering some unprintable profanities the entire distance.
Once we achieved our objective, the group sat among the rocks, eating lunch (trying to stay warm) and admiring the panoramic views of the Andes. View image

It was time to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Campo Lago Roca. Our wonderful cook (such a nice man) outdid himself with a huge barbeque of meats, fish, wine, beer. Really, really delicious and a beautiful location to welcome in the New Year. Everyone in the group was still healthy (I think the cold was preserving us), on their feet and talking to each other…what more could we ask for.

our cook

The cook and “ex-Marine” developed a major bond during the trip and he was always sneaking “Cervezas” and food tidbits to him when I wasn’t looking. It was getting to the point where I was thinking of hanging a sign – “Do Not Feed” – around his neck.
The trek was almost over…