Yesterday, after 6 hours of flight time, I landed in El Calafate, Santa Cruz (SAWC), with an unexpected hour added to the journey courtesy of 50-knot winds. Fortunately, the strong gusts didn’t translate to turbulence, although I had to deviate course several times to avoid potent downdrafts.
Magical Departure from Chapelco
Lifting off from Chapelco was nothing short of enchanting. As I followed the winding road, lakes emerged in rapid succession, like a dream unfolding. Quaint towns nestled in valleys and alongside lakes created a fairytale ambiance. From Lake Lacar and Lake Traful to the vast expanse of Lake Nahuel Huapi, the dominant hues of green and deep blue mesmerized me.
Navigating Smoke and Winds
Approaching El Bolson, I encountered weeks-old fires, but fortunately, the smoke didn’t pose a significant threat, allowing me to safely deviate east. As I transitioned south, the landscape underwent a dramatic transformation, forcing me to distance myself from the Andes due to intense downdrafts. The westerly winds created powerful gusts that bent down after crossing the mountains, resulting in losses of up to 2000 feet per minute.
El Calafate’s Unique Landscape
Upon arriving in the El Calafate area, the color palette shifted to browns, whites, and pale turquoise. Snow-covered patches dotted the arid ground, while pale turquoise lakes shimmered, their surfaces disturbed by the wind. Although I couldn’t get close to the glaciers, nestled in the mountain range, I hope to catch a glimpse today before departing for Ushuaia, the southernmost point and halfway mark of my epic adventure.
