Cerro Lopez
Date: March 27th, 2023
Location: San Carlos de Bariloche
Every trip has a highlight. That one hike that is bit more difficult, or a bit more rewarding than all others. This was that hike. In no way does this discount the other trails that I’ve been fortunate enough to visit while in Patagonia, but this was definitely one of the most technical difficult hikes I did in Argentina. The first 3 hours were as I expected; steep in some parts, flat and casual in others. But the last two hours (depending on how slow you are) consist of the rockiest and steepest terrain I’ve ever been on. The trail changed from a hike to an actual climb. At certain points, I found myself literally hanging on with just my hands as I pulled myself over the next ledge. Despite my love for mountains, I have an extreme fear of heights, and that definitely came into play during this steep section of the trail. Regardless, I was able to make it to the end with my hiking crew and see what has to be one of the most beautiful views in South America.
From the summit of Cerro Lopez, one can see a desert, a volcano, lakes, a glacier, forests and mountains. The glacier-covered volcano behind me is Cerro Tronador.
The '“tough part”
After reaching the “refugio'“, the trail transforms into a rocky and steep climb for almost two kilometers. This is a glimpse of how rocky that segment of the hike is.