Glacier Moreno
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As our small Mercedes bus was moving along the lake and river, toward the glacier park, our guide pointed out that the mountains that are completely snow covered, never lose their ice pack. They are the source of the glaciers. The others, on either side, do lose most of their snow and ice in the summer, just like the ones here in Northern California. |
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The boss and the driver. Great team, btw. |
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She pointed out what she said were condors. The only ones I saw on my entire journey around South America |
This is a flower that is unique to this ecological niche. It is used for all sorts of local products, including a tea and a liquor. |
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A quick stop for a first glimpse of the Moreno glacier |
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The Argentine pasttime. Other than tango, this must run a close second. Maté and hot water. |
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Upon arrival, most of us went on a boat ride. I did not understand all of the instructions, but since I was not interested in going out to eat lunch, I didn't think much of it. On the way to the boat landing, there was this walkway, and I thought I go on at least part of it, before going to a restaurant here, where I thought they were meeting. |
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From the boat, things looked pretty impressive and the size and color of the glacier was a marvel to behold. I had been only to one other, in Chamonix, France. |
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Beautiful, always moving and cracking with sounds like a gun going off, a large artillery gun. |
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This is what the boat needed to stay clear of, lots of drifting ice. |
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The boat deck was packed, and suddenly this woman yelled excitedly and pointed. I immediately pointed the camera in that direction and started firing. |
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You see the arrow that points at about a boat-sized chunk, but looking it over right now, I saw that all of the jagged pieces next to it had also broken loose and came crashing down. At this point things have settled down again, and all that's left of the ice is slushy debries and some wave action. Understand this, everything you see at the leading edge of this glacier, now months later, will be gone and replaced by new material that pushes in from the back. Glaciers constantly move forward. Also, someone pointed out, I think our guide, that what we see is not all of the glacier. It extends under water to the bottom of the lake.. |
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