Perito Moreno Glacier – Patagonia,Argentina.

The Perito Moreno Glacier in the Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, must be one of the most beautiful things in nature that I have ever seen. It was my first visit ever to a Glacier. One of the reasons I decided to visit Argentina back in 2007 was to see the Perito Moreno glacier before Global warming left its mark of destruction.

Mapa La Provincia de Santa Cruz
Map of the Santa Cruz Province

But in fact I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Perito Moreno is one of three Patagonian glaciers that is not retreating but still growing! That was wonderful news! Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most popular glaciers in the world. To get to the glacier you are transferred across the Lago Argentino (lake) in a ferry. It is a 20-30 minute ride if I can remember correctly.

Perito Moreno Glacier,Patagonia Ferry
Ferry ride to the Perito Moreno Glacier

From the ferry it does not look so big. But once up close you feel incredibly small. One of the things I´ve noticed was the colour of the water. It was a deep turquoise. Why? I am not sure. When I find out I will update my blog.

Perito Morenoc Glacier,Tours Perito Moreno Glacier
Me with Perito Moreno Glacier

The glacier is 97 square miles (250 square km) and measures 19 miles (30 km) in lenght! But it is not all. In addition the glacier measures 3 miles (5 km) wide and a total ice depth of 558 feet (170 m). Just sit back for a moment and think about the statistics. That is a HUGE block of ice to say the least. The deepest part of the glacier is 2297 feet or 700 m! The ice field accounts for world’s third largest reserve of fresh water!

Glaciar Perito Moreno

I will tell my story about our ice trekking expediton on the glacier in another blog. But I would like to tell you about my time alone with the glacier.

Photo of Perito Moreno Glaciar

After our ice trekking excursion I broke away from the group and found a quiet spot on a big rock overlooking the lake and the glacier. The glacier is noisy! Big chunks of ice break away from the glacier and then drop into the lake with a bang. Anyone who has seen this before will tell you it is sheer pleasure to witness. The shudder sounds and the ripple effect of the waves is incredible.

I sat there, quiet as a mouse and I soaked up every tiny bit of detail. This was a feeling I couldn´t describe to anyone. After a while we transferred back and then we took a bus ride to the other side of the glacier. There are various lookout points and you cannot walk on the glacier. Photographers sit here for days in the blistering cold to capture the first rupture of the glacier. There are beautiful postcards for sale with photos of the rupture.

Glaciar Perito Moreno,Perito Moreno Glacier,El Glaciar Perito Moreno,Argentina Glacier

What is a rupture? Why does it happen?Periodically the glacier advances over the L-shaped “Lago Argentino” (“Argentine Lake”) forming a natural dam which separates the two halves of the lake when it reaches the opposite shore. With no escape route, the water-level on the Brazo Rico side of the lake can rise by up to 30 meters above the level of the main lake.

The enormous pressure produced by the height of the dammed water finally breaks the ice barrier holding it back, in a spectacular rupture event. This dam/rupture cycle is not regular and it recurs naturally at any frequency between once a year to less than once a decade. The glacier first ruptured in 1917, taking with it an ancient forest of arrayán (Luma apiculata) trees. The last rupture occurred in July 2008, and previously in 2006, 2004, 1988, 1984, 1980, 1977, 1975, 1972, 1970, 1966, 1963, 1960, 1956, 1953, 1952, 1947, 1940, 1934 and 1917. It ruptures, on average, about every four to five years.

The Perito Moreno glacier was named after the explorer Francisco Moreno, a pioneer who studied the region in the 19th century and played a major role in defending the territory of Argentina in the conflict surrounding the international border dispute with Chile. A very interesting video clip about the rupture in 2008. This couple waited 6 hours in the rain and snow to see the rupture! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHayMS33MA]

Perito Moreno Glacier - Patagonia,Argentina.

I have been fortunate to have done quite a bit of travelling. By heart I am an adventurer and I love exploring new places, cultures and food. Travelling can become stressful and expensive. Over the years I have learnt to travel as cost effective as possible, simply by travelling more clever. Nelmitravel.com is a Adventure and Budget Travel site where I review Airlines, Accommodation, Transport, Restaurants and give helpful travel information.

16 Comments

  1. Hi Nelieta! Can I be you? I do wish to travel the places that you have visited but I'm broke… hehehe! That's an awesome glacier… Perito Moreno rocks!, este Freezes! You always take me to a dreamland with your travel Nelieta and I'm loaded with much envy now…LOL!;)

  2. This looks like it was a very interesting and rewarding trip! When I was younger, I traveled. But now, I'm content to be at home with my children and just come to your blog to make my trips around the world:)

  3. Hi Jorie,I also wish that I had more money to travel! Isn´t it ironic, when you have time you don´t have money and when you have money you don´t have time! There are so many places I still want to see…I am sure you feel exactly the same!Perito Moreno is defintely a place to visit if you do visit Argentina 🙂

  4. Wow…stunning pictures! They were so beautiful I had to show them to my kids! Thanks so much for sharing, we loved reading more about a new place we've never been 🙂

  5. Hi Nelieta,Stunning pictures and I think you have seen my dreams cos I am the one who want to travel to these places … smiles.I will vote for you and follow your blog.Take care.

  6. Hi Nelieta,Stunning pictures and I think you have seen my dreams cos I am the one who want to travel to these places … smiles.I will vote for you and follow your blog.Take care.

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