Patagonia, Argentina

Patagonia is an extreme and wildly diverse corner of the planet in South America's lower third encompassing mountains, lakes, deserts, rainforests, glaciers and fjords with an equally diverse measure of climate and weather phenomenon. Technically, Patagonia covers regions of Argentina and Chile. While not completely clear, the name has roots in language used to describe the extra large footprints associated with natives who occupied the area for centuries. This region is raw beauty at it's finest offering a wide range of experiences depending on your interest, time and ability to endure the elements.

 

I had never been this far south so it made sense to proceed along a well traveled route via the Internationally famous Highway 40. My first leg of travel terminated in the picturesque San Martin de los Andes along the western borders of Argentina at the terminal point of Lake Lacar along its eastern shore. This is a quaint mountain village reminiscent of what you'd find in the ski towns of Colorado's mountains. In fact, like much of Argentina Patagonia, its chalet style architecture reflects the heavy immigration of Northern Europe during the early years of the 20th century. San Martin is conveniently walkable and easily accessible to miles of hiking trails that meander in and out of forests featuring intermittent vistas of the lake and surrounding terrain. And for those who require a 90 day visa renewal to maintain legal status in Argentina, San Martin offers a bus connection to the equally fascinating village of Pucon, Chile where you will find the intimidating beauty of an active volcano within its shadow. Highly recommended, with or without visa issues.

 

By months end I had become intoxicated with natural elements of Patagonia and decided to head further south for another extended stay in the region's largest city, Carlos de Bariloche. Like San Martin, Bariloche is nestled along the shores off Lake Nahuel Huapilinear and built over a series of rolling hills that ultimately lead to Lake Gutierrez on the back side of its valley. From the cities core, you find residential areas, resorts, restaurants and associated businesses spread along the many miles of lakeshore. I secured a classic log cabin a couple miles from town and half mile up the slope to spend a month exploring the shoreline and surrounding forests while making an annual weekend trek to the city center and back.

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Patagonia is special place. This is where you come to purge your soul of the stress collected and stored while participating in the mechanized construct of first world societies. Its a place where you very feel very small, but possibly more alive than any other period of your life. The power of nature, indeed!

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