Hello dear readers of The Long Road South. If you are expecting erudite musings from Rose or witty narrative prose from Ty, you will have to tune in next time, as this is the first (and perhaps only) guest EMM of TLRS.
By way of introduction, I am a friend of Ty´s from Wyoming. For those of you who do not know me my name is Tom Rangitsch. My wife Teresa and I are on a 6 week trip of our own through South America. We have been spending the last 14 days in Bariloche, Argentina with Rosa and Ty.
Our most recent adventure was a trip to Frey, an area outside of Bariloche known for its agujas, or spires, of weathered granite. They make for beautiful vistas, and as Ty found out, pretty good climbing.
We started our trek at Cerro Catedral, a short bus ride from downtown Bariloche. The 10 km hike was warm and dusty as these Argentine trails seem to be. After a bit of climbing, we were treated to a fabulous view. The agujas create a bizarre landscape with towering peaks and vertiginous heights.
As we were unloading our packs and deciding where to pitch our tents, we ran into several Americans. They turned out to be from our hometown, Lander, Wy, leading a NOLS climbing course in the next valley over. Small world indeed.
Now Tyrell has been itching to climb as it has been 6 months since he touched rock, so he hinted to these NOLSies that maybe they could lend us a rope and a rack. Unfortunately they didn´t get the hint. Bleary eyed and almost in tears, Ty toyed with the idea of soloing some easy routes. Needless to say this evoked some discussion on the part of Rose as to the advisability of said venture. To everyone´s relief and pleasure, a guy from Boulder, Colorado, happened be in need of a partner and introduced himself to us at a most opportune moment. Ty´s next day was planned out quickly and Rose, Teresa, and myself were left to ponder the wonder of it all.
We had a stormy night in the tents and awoke in the clouds with glimpses of Ty and his new friend climbing through them. Rose, Teresa and I hiked over to a higher valley with more vistas and more towers, exploring the hillsides and just taking it all in. Ty rejoined us after a satisfying day on the rocks and we made an excellent dinner at our tentsite.
Yesterday we descended back to Bariloche. It was a beautiful, albeit short, excursion into the mountains. We enjoyed the time with Rose and Ty and the wonderful views.
Today Teresa and I are off to Santiago, Chile, to continue our short path north. We would recommend coming and visiting the Mandrixes as their hospitality is without par...
