The Adventures of Sarah and Brad in Argentina Part I

Sarah finally arrived to town and after a night in Bariloche we decided to rent a car and head to the very small town (if you can even call it a town) of Piedra Parada for some rock climbing and to escape the incoming rain in Bariloche. We had been planning on heading to this climbing destination for awhile after viewing the video from the Petzl Rock Trip www.youtube.com/watch?v=QllWNEGBKic a few years ago and deciding it was a must visit location! 

Piedra Parada (standing rock) It is the inside of an old volcano, the outside has eroded and all that is left is the magma chamber from within.

The spot not only lived up to the expectations we had for it, but the beauty of the river and the amazing rock easily exceded them! It was probably one of the most incredible and fun places I have ever rock climbed!

The great entrance sign!

Mario's Ranch camping common area.

We showed up to the beautiful camping area on Mario's Ranch and immediatly loved the quaint and fun vibe that the area had. Sans a guide book we headed into the canyon only to be pointed to climb a 6b we later found out was called Mickey Mouse and one of the most classic climbs in the canyon. The rock is volcanic and many climbs have the characteristics of Swiss Cheese with featues that provide incredible big jug holds on overhanging rock. I often found myself laughing every time I reached for the next hold because they were all so unique and different than anything I have ever climbed before!

Sarah sending through the cheese pockets!

Laughing my way through the fun holds on the rock!

Inside the Canyon

The quick fix on my broken sunglasses :(

Our awesome camp table and the spot of many Truco games (the national card game) won by Sarah.

When you don't have a cork screw sometimes you just gotta break the bottle!

We met many fun foreign climbers and it seemed like there wasn't a single bad route in the canyon! Of the many nights we spend in the canyon, we mad a small drive to the smallest town around to watch the Bronco's (my favorite team) face off agains the Seahawks (Sarah's favorite team) in the Super Bowl, the local patron's had a lot of fun watching with us and chearing for both teams, although there was much more chearing being had for the Seahawks :(   Unfortunately tho, after an excelent trip in the canyon, toward the end of our trip the weather started to turn bad (darn you Patagonia!!) Sarah and I started looking at the map and deciding where to go next when we spoted a hot springs 100 kilometres away in Chile! It didn't take too much convinving to pack up our tent, leave the wind and rain and start driving!

We made it to Chile safe, and were amazed at how lush and river full the Futaleufu and Pumalin National Park area's were!

A road side water fall!

Not too far from home, cows roam the roads here just as in Montana.

 

Picture break!

We spent one afternoon in Pumalin National Park, and then took off to sit in our sought after El Amarillo Thermal Pool! The pool had a quaint mountain rainforest location and we shared the spot with many Argentines who enjoyed spending the day with us Gringo's.

The beautiful mountain hot springs location!

Soothing our sore bodies from the many hard days climbing!

Hot shower with our Chilean friend before a cold river dip!!

Now back in Bariloche, its time to refuel with some good street food and beer! Hopefully the weather will allow for a short trip to Frey before we have to fly back to the US!