Since I have had the benefit of an experienced guide in El Chalten, I have learned a lot about the terrain and climate.
The Flowers
The Lichens
On many of the rocks, you could see the interesting colors and patterns of the lichens.
The Animals
When we entered the park, we were told by the rangers that there are pumas in the park. We didn’t see any (which I am secretly thankful for because peeing my pants would not be enjoyable), but we did see a few cute, fuzzy animals.
The Forest
Our guide David told us that although it looks like the forest has lots of dead trees, this is simply because it takes a long time for dead trees to decompose in this environment. I mean a really, really long time. It takes about 40 years for the first signs of decay to show.
David also pointed out the small saplings growing all around us. He said that they are just waiting for the right conditions to grow taller. For example, an older tree may die and fall, opening up a section where the sun can shine on a large area of saplings.
We also saw a part of the park that was burned when tourists carelessly started a fire.
This experience has taught me to pay more attention to my surroundings.
When I am on my own, I want to notice the details. I want to take note of them to ask questions later.
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This post is part of a series about my experience on the Patagonian Trails Tour with Adventure Center. I was very impressed by their range of tour options from light to extreme adventure all over Latin America and the rest of the world. There really is something for everyone. Adventure Center handles all bookings with Peregrine for North American clients.
Excellent photos. Great clarity.
Kurt W recently posted..The Coastline of Sri Lanka
Thanks, Kurt. It was nice to have both incredible large-scale landscapes AND interesting details like these to photograph.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Photo Essay: Defeated by the Winds of Patagonia at Pliegue Tumbado
Love this post about all these details. Paying attention to them connects you to the present moment and to nature even more in my opinion. Warning: you might end up staying in beautiful places longer! 😉
Ayelet – All Colores recently posted..128 Boston Photos: Beacon Hill and the Public Garden – Part 2
I might have stayed a little while extra in El Chalten. I might have done a few of the hikes twice too 😉
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Photo Essay: Defeated by the Winds of Patagonia at Pliegue Tumbado
Looks amazing, beautiful one, but have to say I am enjoying the caribbean weather! I hate to be cold! Keep enjoying your big adventure!
Ghreche recently posted..the best deals online
Not quite Caribbean weather but not too bad for Patagonia
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Photo Essay: Defeated by the Winds of Patagonia at Pliegue Tumbado
Those flowers are amazing.
Italian Notes recently posted..San Marino: Old republic in the heart of Italy
So different from any other flowers I have ever seen.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Photo Essay: Defeated by the Winds of Patagonia at Pliegue Tumbado
Stopping to enjoy the details is one of the small pleasures of hiking. While it’s easy to focus on the mammoth features like mountain peaks and lakes, some of the best stuff is the small or unexpected sites.
John recently posted..Visiting Petaluma, California: The Local’s Take with Annette of Bucket List Journey
I have to admit that I would have missed so much if I hadn’t been on this tour. I tend to not pay attention to the little things. Hopefully, this experience will make me notice it more when I’m on my own.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Photo Essay: Defeated by the Winds of Patagonia at Pliegue Tumbado
Those flowers are beautiful! I love Chilean Patagonia and am sure I’d love the Argentine side as well.
Emily in Chile recently posted..Housekeeping
The flowers are gorgeous here. EVERYTHING is gorgeous here. I am jealous that you can hop on a relatively short and affordable flight to Patagonia any time you want.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..You Can Has Vacation (Cheaper) with TravelScout
As if mountains, lakes and glaciers weren’t enough reasons to visit El Chalten. What a wonderful place to visit. The flowers are gorgeous and so unusual — especially love the top pic. Such a shame about the tourists starting a fire.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Sweeney’s Seven Super Shots
Those are my favorite flowers too! The nice thing about El Chalten is that when the tourist buses come into town, they ALL have to stop at the information center and learn about safe practices in the park.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..You Can Has Vacation (Cheaper) with TravelScout
Gorgeous flowers and love the llamas of course. I like your different way of looking at things.
I have to admit I would probably not have had the same appreciation for the rest of the park without our brilliant tour guide David. He is Argentine and knows this area of Patagonia so well.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..You Can Has Vacation (Cheaper) with TravelScout
Beautiful photos! I especially loved the animals.
Susan recently posted..Seven Things That Surprised Me About Tokyo
If only we could have seen a puma… from a large distance of course
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..You Can Has Vacation (Cheaper) with TravelScout
Those flowers are gorgeous!
Amanda recently posted..The South Pacific I Have Yet to See
And it is amazing they can grow in this climate.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..You Can Has Vacation (Cheaper) with TravelScout
Beautiful photos, the flowers are gorgeous!
Angela recently posted..Photo Essay: Tasting daily life in Provence, France
Even though pumas can be scary, I wish I can see one and take a photo of it….(the shot can be priceless since it is rare to see those with naked eyes)
Annie FoorTracker recently posted..Museums After Dark: Legion of Honor
I totally agree!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
Yeah … puma … seeing a puma pretty much would have warranted me useless for the remainder of any outdoor adventure in El Chalten! I would only feel safe if we could be loud out there, which would probably defeat the tranquility of the area … but at least we’d be safe! 😉
dtravelsround recently posted..Escape of the Week: Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort
I’m not sure if I want have been paralyzed with fear (and missed the shot) or been excited and fumbling around to get my camera out.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
Those flowers in the first photo are so interesting! Beautiful
Andrea recently posted..Why Travel With Kids Is Good For All Involved
My favorites, mainly because I have never seen anything so unique.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
Great pictures, this place sounds cool. The dead trees remind me of Mt St Helens, there are still tons of dead trees there from the ’80s.
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Scenes from the Chinese New Year Celebration in San Diego
For most of the hikes, we got a lot of diversity with the terrain. One of the things I really enjoyed about this area. If you’re not looking at the same thing for 6 hours, the time passes a little faster 😉
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
Love the llamas!
Sophie recently posted..No more: The natural bridge of Aruba
There is a company that uses the llamas to bring in supplies to the park for campers that don’t want to carry everything in. The llamas have softer “paws” (not sure if that’s the right word), so they damage the trails less than if they were to use other animals. Another fun fact I learned on my tour
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
I’m always impressed with how much information I learn when I actually take a tour somewhere. It does make you feel like you have gotten to know a place a little better. Those flowers are amazing!
Christy recently posted..Are Goals Overrated?
I am definitely more open to and seek out tours more frequently in my travels for this exact reason.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
It’s easy to conclude bteetr focus and time management , but it’s also likely that other people are really just highly skilled at what they do, and have a strong drive to do more and accomplish more.
Is that llama wearing a saddle? Could u ride it?
The llamas were used to bring in supplies, so I think what looks like a saddle is just for carrying stuff… But you could actually ride it
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..When a Hostel Defines Your Travel Experience
Stunning photos! What great little details.
Laura recently posted..Friday Travel Photo – Dolphins and Catalina
It was nice to have the time to enjoy the little details in this part of Patagonia.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Pretty photos and oh …. I love alpacas! I remember coming upon them time and time again in Peru.
So cute … but a bit mean.
cheryl recently posted..An Insiders Look At The Lloyd Hotel.
These guys were pretty tame. Or maybe we just got lucky when they passed us
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Journey to the End of the World (aka That Time I Thought I Might Die in the Wilderness)
Those flowers are beautiful! And I wouldn’t know what I would do if I saw a puma as well. I do agree that when you’re out in nature, you have to keep an eye on your surroundings because something might suddenly come out and bite you. Nice post!