Glaciers and Chains - What a Day! (Sunday, December 23 - El Calafate to El Chalten)

The day started with me not being able to find my key to the motorcycle.  I checked all my pockets 3 times; checked the room multiple times and finally gave up looking.  Fortunately, Wilfredo has a spare key for each bike so we went on our way.

The main highlight of our day was the visit to Perito Moreno glacier.  I have seen a few other glaciers during trips through Canada and Europe but this is by far the most beautiful glacier I have seen.  The other glaciers I have seen have been on a mountain side, while Perito Moreno is in the water.  Many times while we were there, small chunks of the glacier would break off and go crashing into the water.  The sound of the cracking ice and then falling into the water is amazing to listen to.  This glacier is huge; it is 5 km (3.1 miles) wide and 70 meters (229 feet) tall in the center!  Below are just a few of the photos I took at the glacier.  What you are seeing in the photos is less than half of the front of the glacier.

This is less than half of the front part of the glacier.





After seeing the glacier, we began the journey to our next destination, El Chalten; that is when the "Chain" part of title comes into play.  Early on our ride, the chain on Pradeep's bike came off the sprocket. Wilfredo had a spare chain along so he decided to swap chains right there along the road.  One hour later, we were back on the road. 

Chain Repair #1

After the chain was repaired, we continued on to El Calafate and had lunch before proceeding to El Chalten.  I had another meal of grilled lamb.  It was good, but not as good as the lamb I had in Ushuaia.


After fueling our bodies and our bikes, we continued on.  We saw some different terrain and mountains on this route.  This one was particularly pretty.  I love the color variation.


As we continued, we had chain repair #2 as the chain came off my bike.  We are in the middle of nowhere and the wind has to be blowing 50+ mph.  Wilfredo decides to put my chain back on and ensure it has the proper tension (which he has been monitoring on both bikes the entire trip).  Repair is complete and we are on way again.

Chain Repair #2
Less than 1 mile down the road, chain repair #3 is required because this time, the chain on my bike broke and came off.  Not only did the chain break, but it busted the chain guard.  Time for a new chain  on my bike now.  Once again, roadside repair, with blustery winds.

Chain Repair #3
Fetching the broken chain and chain guard pieces!
We finally arrived at our hotel around 7:30 p.m..  We used the hotel's luggage cart to get our stuff to the room.  I bet most people didn't realize the carts come equipped with helmet hooks!


After getting unpacked in the room, it was time to shower and get ready for dinner.  Guess what I found in the pocket of my pants?  Yes - the key for the motorcycle!  I'm not sure when or why I put it in the pocket of these pants but at least the key was found.

Tomorrow is our only rest day on the trip.  We haven't decided what we want to do yet.  There is a lot of hiking we could do but we don't plan to take a long hike.  The most popular route in 18 km and would take 10+ hours.  Doesn't sound like a rest day to me!  There are other options also but we will choose in the morning based on what we feel like and what the weather looks like.

Good bye for now.

Comments

  1. mdmDecember 24, 2018 at 9:00 AM

    Glad you have a capable mechanic! Wondering about the temps with the wind and the glacier. Is it warm or cool?

    Such beautiful photos; cannot imagine how breathtaking it must be in person. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rick RettigDecember 25, 2018 at 2:58 AM

      Temperatures are cool. This morning in El Chalten, the temperature is 36 degrees F with a high forecast of 40. Generally, day time high temps have been in the 50's. Lots of wind many days; typical for Patagonia.

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