Oi todo mundo!
Blackhawk Down here, reporting from South America about some recent trips I took to both local climbing destinationas and Patagonia!
Travelling to Patagonia has been one of my lifelong dreams, and so I figured I better do it right. Ignoring, as I always do, potential conflicts with school (I am supposedly studying abroad), I decided to extend what was a four day weekend into a 23 day vacation into Argentina and Chilean Patagonia. I started the trip in El Chaltén, the famous home of Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy. Originally we attempted to reach the base of Cerro Torre to spend a night at the climbing base camp, unfourtanetly, after a few river crossings and a lot of bushwacking, we were forced to turn back because the glacier has receded too far to be reached without a rope. The view was not too shabby though.
After Chaltén, I travelled to meet a different group of friends to head over to Chile to check out Torres Del Paine. They did not dissapoint!
We spent 6 days total on the trail, and happened to be blessed with perfect weather the whole time, a huge stroke of luck considering Patagonia's infamous storms. We had enough time to even go explore one of the glaciers along the trail. It was amazing to watch avalanches coming down the mountainside from a safe distance on top of the glacier, and it felt great to dust off some of the old glacier jokes.
We spent a couple more days in Puerto Natales, mostly practicing our terrible Spanish at the cheapest burger place in town. However, we did manage to find time to get back in the park for a quick kayak trip into Lago Grey and down the river back to town. After the kayaking it was back to El Calafate and then a plane ride back to Brasil.
Although it was amazing to take a trip to the end of the world, living in Rio constantly reminds me that we all have adventure outside our back doors, as long as you are willing to go pursue it. Me and a climbing partner found out about a rarely done tower in the neighboring city of Téresopolis, only an hour bus ride from Rio. We attempted Agulha do Diabo (the devil's needle) that is deep in the jungle outside the city, and although we were turned back at the last pitch by soaking wet rock and zero bolts, the day was one of the most epic and fun adventures I have ever had. Who would of thought you can arrive at the base by bus!
As Rio gears up for the World Cup, I will be gearing up for another great season at Exit, can't wait to be back up in Seward!
Tchau Gente!
Blackstreets back