Los Glaciares National Park

[Jason]

Thepark covers an area of 726,927 ha (7,269.27 km2; 2,806.68 sq mi), making it the largest national park in the country.Established on 11 May 1937,[1] it hosts a representative sample of Magellanic subpolar forest and west Patagonian steppe biodiversity in good state of conservation. In 1981, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.[2][3]

The park's name refers to the giant ice cap in the Andes, the largest outside of Antarctica, Greenland and Iceland, feeding 47 large glaciers, of which 13 flow towards the Pacific Ocean. In other parts of the world, glaciers start at a height of at least 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above mean sea level, but due to the size of the ice cap, these glaciers begin at only 1,500 m (4,900 ft), sliding down to 200 m (660 ft). Los Glaciares borders Torres del Paine National Park to the south in Chilean territory.[2]

Los Glaciares, of which 30% is covered by ice, can be divided in two parts, each corresponding with one of the two elongated big lakes partially contained by the park. Lake Argentino, 1,466 km2 (566 sq mi) and the largest in Argentina, is in the south, while Lake Viedma, 1,100 km2 (420 sq mi), is in the north. Both lakes feed the Santa Cruz River that flows down to lower part Puerto Santa Cruz on the Atlantic. Between the two halves is a non-touristic zone without lakes called Zona Centro.

The northern half consists of part of Viedma Lake, the Viedma Glacier and a few minor glaciers, and a number of mountains very popular among fans of climbing and trekking, including Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

The southern part has, as well as a number of smaller ones, the major glaciers which flow into Lake Argentino: Perito Moreno Glacier, Upsala Glacier, and Spegazzini Glacier. Typical excursion boats travel between icebergs to visit Onelli Bay, and the otherwise inaccessible Spegazzini and Upsala. Perito Moreno is reachable by land.

The mountains hold most of the humidity from the Pacific Ocean, letting through only the ice coldness (annual average of 7.5 C (45.5 F)) and creating the arid Patagonian steppe on the Argentine side of the range. This area is habitat for rheas, guanaco, cougar, and South American gray fox, the latter of which has suffered from the invasion of the cattle industry and are endangered. The guanaco, while not endangered, has had a dramatic decline in historic population due to large scale grazing of livestock throughout much of Patagonia.[citation needed] There are over 100 species of birds in the area (condors, eagles, and others). Between the ice and the Patagonian steppe there is a fertile area of Magellanic subpolar forests composed mainly of lengas and guindos, but also ires. Within these more hospitable areas also live huemul deer and torrent duck.[3]

Los Glaciares National Park faces many issues around tourism, overgrazing, forest fires and more. There are areas of the park where overgrazing is quite a problem and contains many alien/invasive and feral species such as cattle, European hares and certain types of trout. Forest fires have had a strong impact on the site and degraded and destroyed parts of it as well.

Los Glaciares is a major attraction for international tourists.[3] Starting points of tours are the city of El Calafate at the shore of Lake Argentino but outside the park, where the park's administration has its headquarters, and El Chaltn village in the northern part of the park, at the foot of the Fitz Roy. Other touristic points in the park include Lago del Desierto and Lago Roca.[3]

Los Glaciares National Park is located in the southernmost region of Argentina. The national park encompasses an area of 2,806.9 square miles (7,269 sq km). It is the largest national park within the country of Argentina and is a sister park with Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

The name is derived from the ice cap located in the Andes of this part of the range. This Andes ice cap is the largest glacier field in the world apart from Greenland and Antarctica. It serves as the source for 47 large glaciers with 13 of them flowing eastward toward the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to Perito Moreno Glacier which is considered one of the more significant tourist attractions within the country.

The ice cap accounts for about 30% of the national park area. The ice cap of Los Glaciares National Park is unique with the glaciers starting at 4,900 feet (1,500 m) above sea level as compared to most other glaciers that begin at elevations from 8,200 feet (2,500 m) and higher.

Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the leading attractions of the national park. Although it is located in one of the most remote parts of the world, Perito Moreno Glacier is accessible from the land and accessible by a short hike. Visitors travel the world to see this exquisite glacial landscape.

Spegazzini Glacier and Upsala Glacier are two significant sized glaciers found within the national park; however, they do require securing a boat tour to visit them. Most people are satisfied with seeing Perito Moreno Glacier, however, these additional glaciers are worth the effort and you are encouraged to explore them as well since you are in this part of the world.

Lake Argentino features an area of 566 square miles (1,468 sq km) making it the largest lake in the country. Lake Argentino is located in the southern part of Los Glaciares National Park with the surrounding area serving as one of two regions of the park.

Lake Viedma covers an area of 420 square miles (1,100 sq km) and it is located in the northern part of the park. It along with the surrounding area accounts for the second region of the national park. This lake along with the southern Lake Argentino feeds the Santa Cruz River. Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are both located in this region of the park.

Los Glaciares National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site displaying an excellent example of Magellanic subpolar forest as well as featuring the Patagonian steppe biodiversity. The arid Patagonian steppe is created from the barrier of the Andes mountains which prevent moisture from the Pacific Ocean reaching the other side of the range.

Cougar, guanaco, nandues, and the South American gray fox call this steppe area home. Ranching is threatening the gray fox placing it on the endangered species list. The Magellanic subpolar forest serves as the home for guindos, huemul deer, lengas, and nires.

Without question, the Perito Moreno Glacier is the highlight of Los Glaciares National Park. People from around the world travel to the majestic Patagonia area to explore the region with Perito Moreno Glacier being one of the highlighted attractions.

The more adventurous look to climb Mount Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre. These are targeted mountains for climbers who venture into Patagonia. These are easily some of the most photogenic mountains with steller images coming from different locations.

Perito Moreno Glacier is a site that leaves most people standing in bewilderment at this amazing facet of nature. The glacier extends a distance of 19 miles back towards its ice cap source. It has a width of about 3 miles (5 km) and is about 560 feet (170 m) deep.

Perito Moreno Glacier is massive covering an area of 97 square miles (250 sq km). The ice field that feeds the glacier is the world's third-largest freshwater reserve. The glacier was named after the famed explorer and Argentinean defender Francisco Moreno.

Mount Fitz Roy rests on the border between Argentina and Chile as part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. It is an incredibly jagged and rugged mountain creating an astoundingly picturesque mountain. Reaching the summit does require a technical climb, but it is an ascent that is pursued by mountaineers from around the world.

The majority of tourists look for ways to capture views and images of this stunning mountain It is beautiful any time of the year, but the late spring or summer months are when most people travel to see it.

There are several trails that serve the park allowing visitors to experience the highlights and splendors of the nature found here in Argentina. The trails range from easy to difficult and even technical.

This is an easy 2.9-mile (4.7 km) point-to-point trail that meanders through forests out to a lookout point providing a panoramic view of the glacier. This is absolutely the most popular trail in the park and the pinnacle attraction in the park. The glacier is world-renowned.

This is a 12.9-mile (20.6 km) with an elevation change of 3,326 feet (1,013.8 m). The train, altitude, and elevation change generate a difficult rating for this challenging adventure that is worth every bit of effort with stunning views of lakes and Mount Fitz Roy.

This is a challenging 6-mile (9.6 km) trail out and back with an elevation gain of 1,010 feet (307.8 m). The hike is exploring the ice crevices of the glacier and requires the use of crampons. The trail is rated difficult but it is a breathtaking adventure.

Los Glaciares National Park located in Argentine Patagonia is unparalleled wild thanks to its imposing glaciers and legendary mountains. Although it offers us a feeling of being at the end of the world, it is a sublime monument of nature.

With its imposing glaciers, mountain lakes, and legendary snow-capped peaks, the park is an essential stop on a trip to Patagonia, on the mythical Route 40. A brief tour of this enormous snowfield, of wild beauty, formed along millennia.

Without a doubt, it is a unique experience that you cannot miss if you decide to spend a season in Argentina. In this new opportunity, we will tell you everything you need to know to discover and enjoy the glaciers of Argentine Patagonia.

The national park includes two large lakes of glacial origin: Lake Viedma and Lake Argentino, in which 13 glaciers extend. This is the Atlantic portion of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the province of Santa Cruz, which includes a total of 47 glaciers.

The current ice field and its glaciers are, in reality, only a tiny vestige of what was the last great glaciation. This would have started 100,000 years ago, then peaked 20,000 years ago. It had stopped abruptly about 10,000 years ago.

3a8082e126