El Chalten

I arrived to El Chalten at night and went to hostel right away. Shortly after met Jessica from Australia in the room, were briefly exchanged our plans and decided to go very early for the must famous one day track out here. To reach sunrise at first viewpoint thus wake up before 6. It was supposed to be the only clear sky day in upcoming days.

We started shortly after 6 to reach sunrise. We forgot the flashlight but managed with phones. On the way wet met Marcus as we agreed on the bus. We reached the viewpoint, but it was still cloudy. We got our packed breakfast. In my case beef with salami and cheese. We then went further to reach the foot of the top. Then the very steep ascend started to gain 400m ascend in one km. Once we reached the top the nice view over the lake with mountains in the back appeared still with quite a fog which luckily disappeared with 30 minutes. Sky turned completely blue and weather was just perfect.

We turned back after absorbing the atmosphere for hour or so and after Jessica took thousand of selfies. I had to be back at bus station to buy the tickets to Los Antiguos.

Now the nightmare began. At bus station they told me that the bus is going in two days because of a strike. And that one is fully booked. I started to worry and make up my backup plan because I didn't wanted to lose so much time waiting for another bus. Considering all options and talking to various people at pub, I considered I could hitch hike there. Because many travellers do it here. I was evaluating it for some time. Considering its 600km up north on famous ruta40 which is heavily unpaved. That there are only 5 villages without any mean of accommodation, I started to worry if its doable in one day. And if not if I will survive night in ditch next to the road under the sky.  Sleeping like that was still plan B, but i had to consider every detail. Weather forecast looked good, rain would kill me. Further reading travelogues about various people hitch hiking ruta40 and not seeing single car in a day turned this idea to be plain ridiculous. Yesterday I came across Hawaiian guy who's cousin did a small flight around the area with local company from not so far away village in Chile. So I contacted them if they could pick me up and fly with me, but unfortunately they can't fly across the border. I started to be desperate. I tried my last, go to the bus office again and check the next bus. I talked to the guy with money and he indeed in the end found a place in the bus going in two days. I was released. Furthermore because of trucks stuck at the road there was no food in supermarkets. I didn't cared because I ate in restaurants but most travellers were cooking and most basic stuff like rice with lentils, onion and garlic. Last day the first truck finally passed and the kitchen was full of interesting smell and various veggies.

The last day I had still beastly full day before the bus departure at 8pm. I could walk for long because my legs were still crippled so I decided to rent a bike and do short trip. Rain was supposed to come at 3pm and lazy morning kept me at the hostel till 11am. I rented one of the two shitty bikes they had and went for waterfalls. Did a small picnic and continue further when I started to see rain clouds far away. I decided to turn around, and for fun take the walking path. Partly fun partly unridable. I did like 25km altogether in 2 hours. Rested at the hostel while the rain came. Waiting for a bus now and looking forward for my next journey in Chile at Carrretera Austral.