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Above the Roof of Patagonia
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Cerro San Valent?n is the highest summit of Patagonia (4,058 m / 13,313 feet).
It is the central peak of the Hielo del Norte, a region of high peaks that rises on a narrow strip of land between Lake Buenos Aires and the west coast of Chile.
Hielo del Norte aka Hielo Patag?nico Norte (The Northern Patagonian Ice Field) is the smaller of two remnant parts in which the Patagonian Ice Sheet in the Andes Mountains of lower South America can be divided. Although its glaciers are largely in retreat and it has today only an area of 4,200 sq km, it is still the largest continuous mass of ice outside of Greenland and the Antarctic and therefore the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water. Its survival is based on its elevation (1,100 to 1,500 m), favorable terrain, and a cool, moist, marine climate. The ice field has 28 exit glaciers two of which can be seen in this photo.
The region is very remote, and the approach is long and difficult, with weather posing frequent threats. Cerro San Valent?n, despite its stature as Patagonia’s highest peak, is perhaps lesser known than the region’s lower mountains with more spectacular sheer rock faces, such as Fitzroy.
Stunning shot.You can make out the texture of the snow.I love it , well done
steelydan wrote:
Stunning shot.You can make out the texture of the snow.I love it , well done
Thanks guys.
What looks like textured snow are actually glaciers.
This shot can be a bit misleading due to the altitude (10km) and the clear air.What looks like one mountain is in fact a mountain range some 25 km across.
You can see 4 seperate glaciers in the photo that are all emerging from those mountains.Not only have you presented a shockingly impressive image
but you have also successfully rendered me speechless.
Those who know me well will know how rare this occurance actually is.
Take a bow my good man. Let the roses fly.
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