7th December 2024

Today was another rare perfect day with no rain forecast and blue skies expected to hold all day. We therefore decided to repeat the Laguna Torre hike as the visibility had been poor when we last did it.

It was the slowest morning we’ve experience on our travels so far. We met with friends before heading out. After leaving the hostel we had one stop at the supermarket, where Dan and I stocked up on our favourite chocolate – cofler block – a chunky chocolate bar with whole peanuts. We then carried on into town and stopped at a bakery called Banneton which was filled with locals and offered the best display of pastries I have seen so far. We grabbed some cinnamon buns to go along with our makeshift toast sandwiches made using leftovers from this mornings breakfast. 

And finally, at about 10am, we started our walk. The trail itself was the same but the extent of what we could see from trail was hugely improved. Towering canyons giving way to river basins and woods littered the trail. We moved at a steady pace enjoying our surroundings and the company we kept. 

On reaching the Laguna we could instantly see more of the glacier than our previous visit. The wind was far stronger too, charging at us head on. Experience of being here before afforded us with knowledge of where to shelter and enjoy lunch.

Once caught up on calories we faced the wind again and continued up the ridge to the view point. The glacier looked fragile with the large grooves and cracks running through in a jagged pattern, and dense, electric blue bottoms. The lake below dark and murky. 

As soon as we exited the lake by dropping back into the valley the wind ceased and with it the full strength of the sun could be felt again. We continued merrily along the path and before long reached the trail head. On reaching the hostel we parted ways knowing we would meet later for a well earned drink and dinner together.