After traveling to Tierra del Fuego we flew to another small city nestled next to the Andes Mountains. This area has become a popular tourist destination because of the large number of impressive glaciers. We visited the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is one of three that is still growing in the world today. It is very unique because every 4 years it has moved enough that it hits a land mass, peninsula and blocks off water forming 2 lakes.
The strength of the lake waters rising eventually break a hole through a section of the glacier and it eventually wears away enough that it forms an ice bridge between the glacier and the land. This bridge breaks away in a dramatic way in the late summer/early fall. We were witness to some "calving", ice falling when we were there and could see how the glacier had hit the land--probably this March the bridge and fall will occur.
Blake, Russell, and I all did an expedition of "mini-trekking" on the ice and wore "crampons" on our shoes for stability and easy walking. The blue coloration of the glacier is caused by a particular bacteria that grows in the ice. The lake color is then formed into a blueish-green color that looks almost like a cloudy swimming pool color.
After traveling to Tierra del Fuego we flew to another small city nestled next to the Andes Mountains. This area has become a popular tourist destination because of the large number of impressive glaciers. We visited the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is one of three that is still growing in the world today. It is very unique because every 4 years it has moved enough that it hits a land mass, peninsula and blocks off water forming 2 lakes. 
The strength of the lake waters rising eventually break a hole through a section of the glacier and it eventually wears away enough that it forms an ice bridge between the glacier and the land. This bridge breaks away in a dramatic way in the late summer/early fall. We were witness to some "calving", ice falling when we were there and could see how the glacier had hit the land--probably this March the bridge and fall will occur. 
Blake, Russell, and I all did an expedition of "mini-trekking" on the ice and wore "crampons" on our shoes for stability and easy walking. The blue coloration of the glacier is caused by a particular bacteria that grows in the ice. The lake color is then formed into a blueish-green color that looks almost like a cloudy swimming pool color.
5 comments:
Nifty reporting and great images.
You probably know we're NOT enjoying readings in the 80s. Rather sub-zero wind chills.
But spring is approaching here, and would guess fall down there is as welcome as it is here.
best,brad
is Blake really wearing sunglasses...what a stud!
By the way...Ben made the last comment posing as me! I would have said, those glaciers look like the ones in the Jewel parking lot!
Lindy-Did your mom write this? Beautiful writing.
k
ashamed to say this is my first comment to your blog...i hope you know that doesn't mean i don't miss you!!! just learned from shannon that i could actually call you!!! you'll have to let me know when the best time to reach you would be so we can catch up! looks like you are having the time of your lives down there...love the long hair blake!!! hope we get to chat soon! love you both so much!! have a tango for me!
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