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Dark clouds and silver linings

After a few days of cloudless skies, the forecast was for a change in the weather as we left Futaleufu via the local bakery. Our main destination for the day was Park Nacional Queulat  home of the famous hanging glacier of the same name.

Driving out of Futaleufu

The glacier's behind the cloud 

We arrived in mid afternoon just as the first drops of rain fell. The hike to the glacier is about 3.5km each way on a rough undulating track that gradually became a muddy river as the rain got heavier.  After a physical hour of walking dodging water and tree roots we arrived at the viewpoint only to be told we missed seeing the glacier by 5 minutes as the fog and mist got denser and lower.  The view was still impressive out over the lake at the foot of the glacier and half way up the waterfall cascading from the face however we felt a tad disappointed as we retraced our steps to the car.  At least we had proper rain gear, the by now very muddy track was making a mess of a few local tourists in their designer jeans and trainers.

Heading on past 6pm with no accommodation organised and a severe allergy to camping in the  steady rain we stopped at a small chalet advertising cabanas, camping and restaurant.  Jackpot.  A lovely room and even better dinner.  Five huge Patagonian lamb cutlets and mash for $24. Patagonian Salmon and Veg for $16.  Elise was so excited she even got talked into her first Pisco Sour.  I tried another local beer and it was good, even better than the good one I picked out in Futaleufu.  We'll probably stay again on our return north.

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