El Bolson / Two Day Hike 22.02.-14.03.11

When I arrived in the tiny town of "El Bolson" (27.000 inhabitants) I fell straight away "in love" with this "Hippi Pueblo"! The town lies on the foot of the spectacular mountain of "Cerro Piltriquitron". The weather was absolutely gorgeous and as there was a campground close to the village I decided to camp for the next few days. After I had set up my tent I went for a stroll through the town and went to the "Club Andino" where I enquired for a few treks and Refugios.

I slept quite well in my new tent but with my s***ty sleeping bag it was still quite cold at night. The other morning I remembered a private accommodation which I received a few weeks ago from a girl from the states. With the tiny map she draw into my notebook I went to the house of "SenioraRosita". When I ask her if I could stay in her backyard she kindly offered me her private room which was at the back of her house for 30 Pesos. That was the same price as for a night on the campground but I had my private room and I didn't have to freeze at night. Two hours later I moved in with Seniora Rosita and she introduced me straight away to her family.

The day later I took off for a two day hike in the mountains. The first day I hiked up to the "Refugio Hielo Azul" which took me 4 ½ hours and I found it quite tough. But after I had a homemade bear at the Refugio with my homemade sandwiches I decided to hike up to the Glacier which took me another 2 ½ hours and it was worth it! I would have loved to stay at the "Refugio Hielo Azul" but the guy at the Club Aldino recommended staying at the "Refugio Natacion". So I hiked up a very steep trek for another hour and arrived at about 6pm at the beautiful Refugio. At the Refugio I was welcomed with a "mate" by the owner Marcielo and a few other Argentinian guests. We were only six guest who stayed at the Refugio for that night and for the rest of the night we ate, drank beer and played the guitar and shared massages. It was soooo beautiful!

The next morning after breakfast I went to see the "Ice caves" and the Amphitheatre which took me another two hours. When I came back I said Good Bye to Marcielo,his wife and his staff and took off for another 3 ½ hour walk to the "Refugio Cajon del Azul" which was recommended by Federico (ex-collegue from the Estancia). Wow…I didn't know if hiking UP or DOWN was harder. The descent was so steep and I slipped a few times. Jesus…really "muy pelicroso"!!!

Federico, my ex-colleague told me that Antilio, who owns the Refugio makes the best homemade beer and after this very dangerous descent I really needed one. It was about 3pm in the afternoon when I ate my sandwiches, enjoyed my beer in the sun outside of the Refugio. It was soooo relaxing and nice! A few minutes later two girls, one from Switzerland and one from Brazil joined me and told me that they are "Guides" and staying at the Lodge "La Confluencia". I can't remember how we came up with the topic "Wwoofing" but they told me that "La Confluencia" is a Wwoofing farm and only has one Wwoofer at the moment.

So I changed my plans and instead of staying another night in a Refugio I hiked down towards El Bolson". Right at the end of the trek, close to the river "Rio Azul" I walked up to the Lodge "La Confluencia" where I met Ellie. I asked her if she needed another Wwoofer and after a few concerns she offered me to stay for a week. When I left the Lodge and took the bus at 8pm back to "El Bolson" I wasn't sure if I should take her offer. Ellie and Mark, the owner of the lodge are from California and Ellie told me that everyone who works for them speaks English! Mmmmh…..which wouldn't help to improve my English at all. So I slept a night over it…. and the other morning I decided to work for "La Confluencia"!