FITZ ROY: A SPECTACULAR PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHT
Mount Fitz Roy, also known as Laguna de los Tres, is one of my favourite hikes of South America.
I can't stop talking about how amazing the hike is, not to mention the spectacular views of towering Fitz Roy.
Stunned by the sapphire blue waters, waterfalls cascading from gleaming glaciers and drinking from streams with water so clean, I'm on a quest to convince everyone just why you should go!
When the clouds have cleared...
A little info about Mount Fitz Roy...
Its highest point stands at an elevation of 3405 metres and if you're lucky enough to see it on a clear and sunny day, with no doubt this is the hike you do over any other.
Expect to hike around 4 hours each way. The first part is relatively flat through the forest.
The second part is a steep uphill climb over rocks and boulders for around 1-1.5 hours. It's a full day trek so you'll want to bring lunch and snacks with you.
Good hiking boots are essential. Trust me. I managed to get through the Salkantay Trek in my trainers (not a good idea!) but for this, I would realllly recommend a good pair of hiking boots with a decent grip.
The boulders and rocks can be hard on the knees, not to mention slippery too. You can easily rent some hiking poles, in El Chalten for $100 ARS ($2.50 US) a pair for the day!
The weather in Patagonia can be temperamental, to say the least. The hike lasts four hours, so don't assume the bright blue sky you see when you wake up will last for the rest of the day. Bring layers.
Check the weather before you go. My hostel provided a weather report every day at 9 pm for the next day. If there's a storm, it can be dangerous to hike.
Laguna de los Tres | Fitz Roy | El Chalten
A perfect day in El Chalten
Hiking to Mount Fitz Roy in El Chalten
If you're aiming for a 5:30 am sunrise in December, you should aim to begin hiking by around 1:30 am. This didn't seem all that appealing to me, so I went for an early start leaving my hostel at 8 am.
On a cold blustery morning, even going through the forest my thighs and ankles were freezing! The trail is really well marked, so you can't get lost unless for some reason you're really trying to.
For some reason even after an hour and a half of hiking, my body really wasn't warming up. I was cold and questioning whether I should really continue with the hike at all. If I would make it.
Thankfully my Canadian dorm roomie was there to cheer me on and we continued hiking through the forests.
We were really lucky and spotted some huemul deers on the way, an endangered species with a high risk of extinction. They're a little shy and we were careful not to approach them.
The views along the way are spectacular. As I edged closer and closer to Fitz Roy, hopping over rivers, crossing some precarious bridges, weaving in and around the forest my heart raced.
It's hard to explain but there's something incredible about hiking in Patagonia.
The feeling of stillness, being in the moment with no contact to the rest of the world, feels almost like a meditation, just with really sore feet at the end!
Soon I was at the base ready to climb to the mirador. After a quick pit stop to snack on granola bars and trail mix, we started the long and arduous ascent.
It was great to do this part in a group where we helped each other and cheer each other on.
Laguna de los Tres | Fitz Roy | El Chalten
That blue!!
The view at the top of Fitz Roy
Mount Fitz Roy is notoriously known for having its head in the clouds and if you get it on a clear day, you're pretty lucky.
We arrived to find just that. As we waited out for Fitz Roy to appear, we did a little photoshoot and started with our tuna and avocado sandwiches. An hour or so went by and then...
Fitz Roy appeared from the clouds!! Yay!!
Laguna de los Tres | Fitz Roy | El Chalten
Glaciers + waterfalls!
There's one thing that's an absolute must and that's hiking 5 more minutes over the hill to Laguna Sucia.
The crystal blue colour is spectacular and as the sun came out, it was the perfect spot for an afternoon nap!
I almost didn't want to leave.
But it wasn't long before the winds started picking up and temperatures started to drop that we decided to start heading back down.
The gang at the top!
Sometimes looking back makes for the best of views
Back in El Chalten
Getting back at around 6:30 pm we headed straight for dinner. And what better way to celebrate the day than delicious Patagonian lamb at the restaurant El Muro.
Handy info...
If you're into camping, there are a couple of dedicated campsites on the way to Fitz Roy which are also free to use at Poincenot and Laguna Capri.
If you're feeling up for it, you can do Glacier Piedras Blanca on the way back.
When you head back down, at the bottom near the campsite there will be a sign marking its direction. It's another 30-45 minutes to the viewpoint.
My final tip would be to give yourself time in El Chalten!!
I met a lot of tourists who came for a day or two to do this hike and then leave. But there's so much more to do in El Chalten!
Not to mention, if you get unlucky with the weather, it's handy to have a spare day or two at hand.
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