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weblog | events | features | gallery | noticeboard | links | zine | shop | supporters | about | contact t r a v e l  b l o g traveller: Danijel Rahija location: Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina email sent: Wed 30/01/04 9:08 AM (click on the images to go to the full sized image) Sporting impressive sunburns from the patagonian sun and a problematic big toe, I went back to Bariloche planning to do nothing for a few days and then move on. All the city hostels turned out to be full and by chance I was referred to Albergue Aventura (hostelaventura@bariloche.com.ar), 4km out by Lago Nahuel Huapi. With easy access to the beach, trekking, biking, views, supermarkets, and city buses, it was a hit with tourists from abroad and Argentinia alike. It was run by Ana, a very helpful Dutch lady that helped organise anything you wanted to do, or just chat when you are doing nothing. Being a small place I found I was getting to know almost everybody staying at the hostel and really it was beginning to feel like home! Many travellers had been loitering there for a month! I definitely rate it as the best hostel of my two months. I had recovered after all that relaxing around an Alpine lake and since I was so comfortable there I extended my stay. Now finally it was time to do some rockclimbing and trekking in the region... The climbing was basic top roping in various locations around Bariloche, a great way to see the area! The trekking was the brainchild of another Aussie. Put two Aussies together and we start doing crazy things... It was a trek with a difference, no tents needed, two nights in refuges where breakfast and dinner could be bought. US5$ a night was a very good price. The first refuge - Refugio Frey, was located in an awesome valley, a lot of rockclimbing to be done from here, a lot of towers, see the photo! The second refuge was just as nice - Refugio San Martin, no electricity so candles were lit at night. Everybody staying there had done the 8 hour hike and climbed the two mountain passes in order to get there... We definately earned the dinner and the red wine that night! The walk out was without difficulty, tagged as a 6 hour walk, it only took 3. Some very nice canyons along the way. I finished my time in Bariloche with one last climb above the main lake at Piedras Blancas, very very nice... Dan Refugio Frey Looking back at the refuge one last time At the op of the first mountain pass. long way down! See if you can spot the people in the bottom left hand corner...

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