Category: Travel

Travels around the world

Tuesday (04-January-2011) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 9: Depart Hosteria El Pilar, Travel to Calafate, Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier, and the Los Notros Resort.

This was a travel day. But first, one last chance to view Fitzroy at dawn. Unfortunately, it was hidden behind some spectacular orange clouds. Also, on more image of lupine wildflowers. After checking out and loading the bus, we drove to Calafate. The group stopped for lunch (big hamburgers with eggs and ham, French fries with eggs), and Thom found a dentist to repair a crown.

We then drove along Lago Argentino on the Magallanes Peninsula back into Glaciers National park to the high-end Los Notros resort. Every one of our rooms had a large bay window looking across to the Perito Moreno Glacier. After checking in, our first stop was to the boardwalk overlooking the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Canal de los Tempanos (iceberg channel). The Perito Moreno Glacier is in relative equilibrium. Periodically, the iceberg closes the channel which results in the lake on the south side increasing in height until it breaks through again. Right now there is a narrow open channel through an ice bridge. The ice bridge looks like it is ready to collapse soon. Indeed we heard and saw several ice calving events while on the boardwalk. Once back in the hotel, I set my camera up on a tripod to do time-lapsed images of the glacier and night sky.

Patagonia Dawn Panorama from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Composite of 5 image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/4) using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Patagonia Dawn Panorama from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Composite of 5 image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/4) using Kolor AutoPano Giga Pro. Unfortunately Fitzroy is hidden in the orange clouds. (David J Mathre)
Lupines at Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina - Patagonia. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lupines at Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina – Patagonia. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec). (David J Mathre)
Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glaciares National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 200, f/22, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glaciares National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 200, f/22, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
Los Notros, Glacier (David J Mathre)
Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glaciares National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/11, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)

Monday (03-January-2011) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 8: Hosteria El Pilar, Fitzroy Massif, and Hike to Laguna de Los Tres.

There were definitely more clouds this morning, and I am glad that I did the night sky images the previous day. The goal for the day was to hike to Laguna de Los Tres. This is a glacial lake at the base of Fitzroy. Both Thom and Tony were under the weather, so did not attempt this hike. The hike starts right in front of the Hosteria, and goes through some really nice wooded areas. Since it was overcast, this made for some great photo attractions but had to keep the time we stopped short to make the entire hike. There were several views of glaciers along the trail, and we heard the boom from several ice falls. As we got to the Poincenot campground we could see that the remaining part of the trail was a series of very steep switchbacks. I decided to stay around the campsite, have lunch and wait for the rest of the group to come back. Rob figured that they would be back in 2.5-3 hours. After 2 hours I could see the group through a telephoto lens still going up the hill, which was now in full sunlight. It took the group an extra 1.5 hours to do the round trip to Lago des Los Tres. As soon as the group got back to the campground, it clouded over again with wind and some light rain. The group hightailed it back to the Hosteria. Soon after we got back, the sun peaked though to give us a bit of a rainbow. I went to the back deck to try to photograph the rainbow. As soon as I did a couple of horses came into the back courtyard.

Remains of a Tree Struck by Lightning in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/11, 1/8 sec). (David J Mathre)
Remains of a Tree Struck by Lightning in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/11, 1/8 sec). (David J Mathre)
If a Tree in Patagonia is Attacked by a Magellanic Woodpecker Did Anyone Hear It? Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
If a Tree in Patagonia is Attacked by a Magellanic Woodpecker Did Anyone Hear It? Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
Crossing a Creek on a Log Footbridge in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/8, 1/160 sec). Day 7 of a Photography workshop in Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan.. (David J Mathre)
Crossing a Creek on a Log Footbridge in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/8, 1/160 sec). Day 7 of a Photography workshop in Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan.. (David J Mathre)
Hike to El Mirador and Laguna Torre in Patagonia from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Hike to El Mirador and Laguna Torre in Patagonia from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Tree in Patagonia taken during a hike to Mirador and Laguna Torre from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/4.5, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Tree in Patagonia taken during a hike to Mirador and Laguna Torre from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/4.5, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
A Cat with Two Horses Grazing under a Rainbow in the Backyard of Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina - Patagonia. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
A Cat with Two Horses Grazing under a Rainbow in the Backyard of Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina – Patagonia. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Sunday (02-January-2011) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 7: Hosteria El Pilar, Southern Hemisphere Night Sky, Fitzroy Massif at Sunrise and Sunset, and Chorrilla del Salto Waterfall.

Since everyone was tired from the long hike yesterday, we decided to take day 7 as a relatively light day to rest. This gave me the opportunity to do some early morning night sky imaging. This was good in that the weather forecast was for us to start seeing more clouds. I went out at about 03:00, knowing that it would start getting light sometime after 04:00. The further south we go, the shorter the nights!

As the sun started coming up, I got more images of Fitzroy from within walking distance of the Hosteria. After a leisurely lunch at El Pilar, we went into town and on the way back stopped at the Chorrilla del Salto waterfall for some photographic instruction. A lot of the local residence were using the waterfall to cool down on a hot summer Sunday afternoon.

While eating dinner at the Hosteria with a view of Fitzroy we observed a beautiful display of pastel colored clouds. Everyone stopped eating before the dessert could be served and ran to get a camera (if they didn’t have one with them). The view was magical.

Southern Hemisphere Milky Way. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 G lens (ISO 100, f/4, 50 sec) (David J Mathre)
Southern Hemisphere Milky Way. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 50 mm f/1.4 G lens (ISO 100, f/4, 50 sec) (David J Mathre)
Reflection of Fitzroy in the Morning with a Horse. Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/25 sec). Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan, Day 7. (David J Mathre)
Reflection of Fitzroy in the Morning with a Horse. Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/25 sec). Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan, Day 7. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Caravan under Lenticular Clouds in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 8 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Colorful Caravan under Lenticular Clouds in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 8 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Chorrilla del Salto Waterfall near El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 87 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
Chorrilla del Salto Waterfall near El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 87 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
Silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia at Dusk with Glowing Orange Clouds from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 19.2 mm, f/5.6, 1100/sec) (David J Mathre)
Silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia at Dusk with Glowing Orange Clouds from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 19.2 mm, f/5.6, 1100/sec) (David J Mathre)

Saturday (01-January-2011) — Argentina

Happy New Year! And May the Light Be With You!

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 6: Hosteria El Pilar, Fitzroy Massif at Sunrise, and a Hike to Laguna Torre.

Some of us got up early in the morning to see what Fitzroy would be like at sunrise. Thom didn’t even need to leave his room since his window looked right at the Fitzroy massif. I actually went out to look a bit earlier to see the southern night sky, and realized that Orion was upside down. I hope to get some night sky and star trail images later in the trip if the weather continues to cooperate. I was able to set a camera up in several locations just in front of the El Pilar for as the early morning light began to develop.

After breakfast, we set off to El Chalten to pick up our guide and start a hike to Laguna Torre. This was a long hike with some elevation gain, bringing us to a glacial lake at the base of Fitzroy. It was relatively warm, and on the way back I could tell that I was overheating – and needed to cool down. At one point Rob, our Wilderness Tours trip leader poured some cold water from a glacial stream over my head. The rest of the hike back was then OK as long as I kept a slow pace.

Early Morning View of Fitzroy from El Pilar Hosteria in El Chalten. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4 G lens (ISO 100, f/11, 1/5 sec) (David J Mathre)
Early Morning View of Fitzroy from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 50 mm f/1.4 G lens (ISO 100, f/11, 1/5 sec) (David J Mathre)
Senda a Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/4, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Senda a Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/4, 1/60 sec).
Multilingual sign with info and regulations on the trail to Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/4, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Multilingual sign with info and regulations on the trail to Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/4, 1/60 sec).
Female Magellanic Woodpecker. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec) (David J Mathre)
Female Magellanic Woodpecker. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec)
Patagonia Panorama. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 16-28 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 31 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). Five image HDR with Nik HDR Pro. (David J. Mathre)
Patagonia Panorama. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 16-28 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 31 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). Five image HDR with Nik HDR Pro.
Hikers on the trail to Laguna Torres. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/11, 1/160 sec) (David J Mathre)
Hikers on the trail to Laguna Torres. Image taken with a Nikon D3x camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/11, 1/160 sec)
Laguna Torre Panorama. Composite of 4 images from a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/11, 1/40 sec) combined using AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J. Mathre)
Laguna Torre Panorama. Composite of 4 images from a Nikon D3x camera and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, f/11, 1/40 sec). Images combined using AutoPano Giga Pro.

Friday (31-December-2010) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 5: Estancia Helsingfors, Equitrecking, then Travel to Hosteria El Pilar just outside of El Chalten.

We started the day riding horses on a trail to an alpine lake. Most of the group chose to ride the horses, even though many of us had not been on a horse for many years. The horses brought us to a point near the end of the trail which we needed to complete on foot. Our gaucho took an image of me riding the trail with my Leica V-Lux 20 point & shoot camera. One thing that all of us on the horses learned was the need to apply sunscreen to the tops of our hands, which were all sun-burned by the end of the trip. That afternoon after getting back to Helsingfors, we checked out and took the bus to Hosteria El Pilar just outside of El Chalten. This location is much closer to Fitzroy. So far the weather on the trip has been unusually clear for Patagonia. Note that I don’t like the color profile for these out-of-the-camera jpg images.

Equitrecking at Estancia Helsingfors. (David J Mathre)
Equitrecking at Estancia Helsingfors. (David J Mathre)
Turquoise Lake Panorama. Equitrecking and Hike Destination Estancia Helsingfors, Glacier National Park. (David J Mathre)
Turquoise Lake Panorama. Equitrecking and Hike Destination Estancia Helsingfors, Glacier National Park. (David J Mathre)