Hello Everybody! I hope all of you had some pleasant and relaxing Christmas days. I can not complain - Christmas at La Morada/Bariloche was wonderful! In fact almost every single day we were having great food... Thank you all for cooking such delicious meals!
In order to compensate the binging, Anna, Kristin, and I set out for a three-day hike through the Bariloche Andes. We were staying two nights in mountain huts, which, although a little noisy, were really lovely and would serve surprisingly delicious food. We were really lucky with the weather and especially the second day (from Refugio Frey to Refugio Jakob) was a spectacular hike with ever-changing landscapes. Up through long slopes of snow to the pretty Laguna Schmoll (still covered almost entirely with ice!) and up climbing through some rocks to the pass. On the other side a great view over the Valle del Rucaco, which we were to cross. Down from the pass we were comfortably sliding through scree slopes and loose rocks. Then the walk lead through lush forests and meadows, where we had to cross the occasional stream balancing on rocks, fallen trees, or just jumping... Up again on the other end of the valley, climbing more snow to the pass Brecha Negra - with more spectacular views on both sides. Looking down into the next valley we could already see the Refugio Jakob. Enjoying the superb vistas across many snow-clad peaks and ridges we spent an hour or so on the pass. On the descent, following the traces of so many hikers before us, we quickly went down scree and rubble slopes.
We should have rather tried to stick to the official path! And we were fully made to pay for our mistake; the scree slopes ended in Lenga scrub and forest which we had to cross - without any trail whatsoever. Hence very slowly progressing we started to be molested by Tavanas - big and hungry horseflies. Once out of the Lenga forest, we found ourself in a serious swamp surrounded by massive swarms of horseflies. Inching forward through the often knee-deep mud we almost got eaten alive. At this point I had a complete 'loss of sense of humor', being really pissed-off with myself for not making sure we kept to the proper trail (which I had actually known to lead down further north and which would have avoided the forest and swamp for the biggest part). After quite some time in the swamp, we came to the point where we could cross the stream that separated us from the hut. Just taking the boots off was almost impossible due to the zillions of horseflies enjoying their feast... Kristin could not even be bothered to get rid of her shoes and preferred wet boots to the hassle of the flies! Then a quick wade through the ice-cold water and a few hundred meters to the hut. There were still a few patches of snow around the hut and in order to cool down some of us hat a quick dip in the icy Laguna Jakob, drying ourselves on the huge rock in the remaining evening sun. What a day! Some of the worst walking I have ever had - just the last two hours! Everything before had been alright. Looking back now, I would certainly call the walk through scrub, swamp and horseflies an 'experience'!
The last day walking out from Refugio Jakob lead through a lovely valley with beautiful bamboo forest, but after the spectacular landscape of the day before we did not really do it justice... And more horseflies made even the short brakes rather unpleasant.
So now, back to Bariloche for New Years Eve. Lots of cooking again in the hostel...
The first picture below shows Anna, Kristin, and me at the Laguna Schmoll in the snow, the second is just me in one of the many snow fields, the third has the two girls enjoying the view on the Laguna Jakob from the pass before the last descend.
There are more pictures
here.
And, before I forget: HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!
