Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me along the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi and a climb to the top of Cerro Campinario to spectacular views of the Lakes District. I return to Bariloche and spend the rest of this cold day exploring the city centre and lake foreshore.
Today's Journey
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Taking a bus out of Bariloche with some of my travel companions, we head to the westernmost suburbs at the start of the Cerro Campanario track. |
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After a short but moderate climb up the hill roughly following the gondola, we reach the top with spectacular views over Lago Nahual Huapi looking north westward. The most distant mountains is the main divide of the Andes from where the lakes give way to the southernmost of Chile's inhabitable lowlands. |
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After a short walk along the ridge over the 1039 metre high summit, we reach the main Cerro Campanario viewing platform where quite a few people have already arrived now the gondola is working. |
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We hike back down the hill and back to Bariloche where I explore the fascinating stone architecture of this beautiful cold city. |
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The mall in the city. This is the first city I've seen since Ushuaia some 2200 kilometres back along the road. |
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The stony beach in front of the city. A very cold wind blows off the lake here at 890 metres above sea level. This is perhaps the coldest I have felt throughout my journey through Patagonia. I can't complain though. The weather is sunny and has been very good for much of the journey. Another crew following about a week behind us has had constant wind and rain throughout their journey with no sign of it letting up. |
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Some Mapuche statues erected above the beach from a past indigenous culture who toughed it out down here in rugged Patagonia. |
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After dinner I return to the lake for a spectacular and very cold windy sunset as the sun slips behind the mountains. |
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Returning to the main square Centro Civico Bariloche above the beach where a protest is taking place. |
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The square's stone buildings of the Museo de la Patagonia stand solid in the freezing wind as I head back to the warmth of the hostel. |
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