Well, we’ve reached our last day in Patagonia, and it did not disappoint. Good weather to take the full day trek to the Valle des Frances (French Valley). A bus transfer to the ferry, a ferry ride across an aquamarine lake, and then a big hike up a mountain. Quite tough in places – big rocks to climb up. I almost stopped along the way, but decided to carry on; a good decision… there were less big rocks higher up. I did wonder if we were going to see much more from the viewpoint, as the views were already spectacular. Well – how wrong I was! As you reach the summit of this section of the mountain, the views are jaw-dropping. 380 degree views (360 doesn’t seem enough!). Pain Massif (the main peak) covered in a magnificent glacier sits right across from you. All the way around are mountains, snow, waterfalls and dramatic rocky peaks. In the distance is a beautiful lake with islands and snow-covered mountains behind it. As you sit and eat your ‘box lunch’ provided by the hotel, you can simply gaze in any direction for spectacular views. Loud cracking sounds bring you back to see pieces of the main glacier break off and fall. What a place!
Hiking up the mountain, we came across a Scottish man coming the other way, hiking in his kilt! I did wish for a wee breeze to come up to test some theories, but the weather was too good!
