After the crossing from Villa O’Higgins, I’m playing “Trekking-Tourist” for a few days. However, I’m struggling a bit here. The nature is also very beautiful but it has too many tourists here (I know, I’m also one of it…) after spending so much time on the less touristy Carretera Austral. There you always never had to worry about reservations. Here, without an reservation you end up on the very busy camping. Except if you are willing to spend a fortune on lodging…

El Chalten
After the arrival on Saturday late evening, I also spend Sunday here and there was enough time for a short hike towards Cerro Torre. I actually wasn’t aware of that this one is also here. I always heard people just talking about Fitz Roy but not Cerro Torre…
I also spend some time on the Internet but after two power blackouts on the same afternoon, I gave up…

El Calafate
On Sunday, I took the bus to El Calafate. I wanted to drive this one also by bike but I just do not have enough time for it :-(.
Near El Calafate there is the Perito Moreno glacier which I visited on the day after by bus (80 Pesos, at the bus terminal). Unfortunately it was raining more or less the whole day but it was still impressive and worthwile a visit to see and especially also hear it.

On Wednesday, I will move on by bike towards Torres del Paine. I was planning on taking a bus to Cerro Castillo too but unfortunately they do not transport bikes. At least not today. Yesterday I was told that it depends on the size of the bus… Neverthless, I think some cycling will be good again too :-).

All the best from El Calafate,
Stefan

PS: In El Calafate I also met a nice English couple: Jenny and Ja. They started in Ushuaia and move on north. Have a look at their blog at http://jenzobean.blogspot.com/2010/01/viento-puta.html. Happy cycling to you two!