Cerro Chapelco is the ski resort in my new favorite ski town, San Martin de los Andes, Argentina. The mountain is known for a wide open bowl at the top ringed at the tree line by glades of Lenga trees--a species of beech found only in this area of Patagonia and New Zealand. The resort is in Parque Nacional Lanin and the drive up is spectacular, even down to the wildlife along the road. We have a super driver, Gonzalo, who knows what to expect around every curve.
The fresh snow was superb but visibility at the top was pretty iffy.
We worked around the summit until lunch.
Craig took us to an on piste restaurant. The timberframe and glass construction was made even more cozy with a wood stove and warming hooks for our gloves.
Even better, the lodge served Argentine BBQ, chorizo sausage and sweetbreads, oh and papas fritas for the potato loving Finn.
Craig wanted us well fueled because his after lunch adventure Sara calls "Between a Rock and a Hard Place."
To set this up, I have to tell you about these Lenga trees. They are covered in Old Man's Beard. In the U.S., it's rare to find these long strings of green moss, but if anyone has ever been to Isle Royale, you know exactly what I'm talking about. And this moss is considered a sign of a pristine environment, and from what I've seen of Patagonia, and particularly their national parks, this rare moss is right on with the quality of water and air.
We followed Craig into the trees. Stay tuned for the story Sara-style.
No comments:
Post a Comment