Patagonia Landscapes

The southern reaches of South American are remote and dramatic. Chile and Argentina contain enormous regions of fjords, ice fields, glaciers, mountains and steppe. The weather rapidly changes from sunny to rainy with frequent high winds unobstructed by any other land south of 50 degrees latitude in the southern hemisphere. The Andes run down the western side of the continent and turn east at the southern end. At the southern tip is Cape Horn, a notoriously difficult transit for mariners since the age of sail began. The landscapes reflect the rugged, elemental character of the area.

The sky, rocks, and water in the first image are a case in point. It shows Cerro Paine Grande from the vantage point of Grey Lake below Grey Glacier. It was windy enough to make standing a challenge at times, but our hike across the outwash plane and up and around the hill in the middle ground gave great views of the glacier and of the vegetation that hangs on in that environment.

Cerro Paine Grande, Chile

The breakers and whitecaps in this view of the shore of Grey Lake gives some idea of the wind.

Tree at Lake Grey Shore

Vegetation alternates with bare rock on this nearby hillside.

Hillside near Lake Grey