El Bolson y Hielo Azul

After arriving to El Bolson, the three of us found a great hostel, bought supplies, dropped off our stuff and left early the next morning on a three day trek into the mountains surrounding the town. This happens to be a very established trek, so we didn´t have to take our tents and instead slept in the local "refugios", which are shelters equipped with basic facilities. The first day, after a 10k hike, we stopped off at Refugio Playita, which is run by a very cute and nice family (with an 11 month old named Amelia!) who house backpackers every summer for the great price of 3 dollars a night. The next day, after passing through incredible canyons and lush forests for most of the afternoon, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by a dramatic landscape of snow covered jagged mountains and various crystal clear lakes. It was very obvious that winter was still going on strong at this altitude.

Alongside one of these beautiful lakes is where we found our next resting place, Refugio Natacion, a bareboned cabin that is maintained by the backpackers that pass through. Luckily there was a wood burning stove, complete with lots of wood, which made the night more comfortable. However, for some reason (maybe because we are in the very beginning of the summer season) the sleeping quarters in the attic were locked, and we had to sleep on the kitchen tables, aka big slabs of cold wood, haha. Tables aside, it was a cute cabin and a yet another Amelia-and-Katie-ism (poor Eyal never saw it coming).

The next day, after waking up a little stiff, we hiked for 6 hours, got a little lost twice, crashed uphill through thorn covered bushes to our final destination, el camping!

The last couple of days we´ve just been relaxing, laying around our Little House on the Prarie style hostel, reading, talking to the locals and getting some much needed sun. We checked out the local fair today, and basked in hippie paradise. Alls good in the world.

Tomorrow we´re off to Osorno, Chile via Bariloche. Crossing borders!!!