Pampa Linda & Mount Tronador

After a bumpy two hour bus ride on dirt roads, we reached the epicenter of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Pampa Linda. Little more than two campgrounds, a small restaurant and a hosteria, Pampa Linda is the main starting point for the backcountry, and climbing Mount Tronador from the Argentine side (there are three peaks, the Argentine, the Chilean, and a dual International peak on the extinct volcano). I loved the area immensely and now want to return to do the trek to summit Mt. Tronador, three days, crampons, ice axes, glaciers galore. The coolest thing about staying in the Valley was you could hear the thunder of glacial ice falling every so often, which gives Mount Tronador it's namesake.

The refugios are what make Nahuel Huapi really special. We spent three nights camping and one night in the refugio. Small, and built in beautiful locations, these mountain huts can fit up to 60 people a night, and feed even more. I had delicious gnocci, pizza, and even a small dulce dessert at the newest refugio on the block, Refugio Agostino Rocca, which overlooks a beautiful glacier with icy waterfalls, and am amazing Patagonian peaked landscape. We also day hiked up to Refugio Otto Meiling, the basecamp for the trekkers attempting to summit Mt Tronador.

The only downside to our trip were the tabanos. I would recommend going to Pampa Linda, but not until before or after the tabanos (aka BLOOD SUCKING HORSEFLIES) season. Highly unpleasant, 30% deet doesn't help, only swatting with fronds (aka tree branches) is a useful deterrent. Lesson learned the hard way!

Here are a ton of photos from the trip.

Rainbow on our bus ride to Pampa Linda

Mirador del Valle -Jon's favorite windy lookout

Our campsite for three nights

Starting our day hike to the Salta Gargante del Diablo

Black Glacier

Jump into the Throat of the Devil Waterfall

This view doesn't show the crazy intense hike it took to get here

Pampa Linda

Cooking pasta over the fire

At the base of Mount Tronador

View from the interior of Refugio Otto Meiling

So happy!

Andean wildflowers

This tiny refugio can fit 60 people at night

Ecstatic to be walking through an alpine meadow, even though there is a horsefly attacking my left cheek

Enjoying pizza in Refugio Agostino Rocca

Mmm Pizza

Glaciers, waterfalls oh my

Refugio Agostino Rocca

View of Lago Frias

I'm on cloud 9

Happiness

I stopped counting at 30 waterfalls

There were a few bridges like these on our hike

Pristine wilderness

Imagine hiking through miles of flower filled logs and trees

Caution

Or take a picture!

Made it!

After jumping in

Bariloche

After a 20 hour bus ride (surprisingly comfortable with semi-reclining seats), we made it to Bariloche, capital of Argentine skiing, prime summer mountain spot for Argentines, and full of chocolate. Our first few days we stayed in a cabin, ate some delicious home cooked meals as well as some delicious meals out on the town. We also did several beautiful lazy day-hikes, almost all involving chairlifts up to an amazing 360 view.

Acres of sunflower farms as we cross the Pampas on our bus ride

Our Bariloche cabin, table set for fresh pasta

A view from the first of several chair lifts

3 cheers in a 360 rotating cafe

Bariloche is called the Lakes Region for a reason

Many consider Jauja to be the best ice cream in the country. I'm not one to disagree.

Mmm, about a dozen flavors of dulce de leche...

Giant chocolate logs!

The Patagonian Range is incredible

So happy to have a beautiful view of our destination, Mt. Tronadar

Views to remember!

Angel Island!

20 mile bike ride, climbing Mt Livermore with Steph and Scott, now enjoying the ferry ride back to SF! What a day!

Telluride hike

Being a 1000ft above the valley makes for some great views! Cool place to hold a Patient Safety Conference.

Horrifying: State announces closure of 70 parks to save money

Portola Redwoods, Castle Rock, Henry Coe... Some of the best. This is a travesty for all Californians!!!!!

A story from AP Mobile:
State announces closure of 70 parks to save money

Studying and the Dish

We learned a lot this quarter, renal physiology, the gastrointestinal system, a ton of microbes and parasites, skin diseases, endocrine disorders, reproductive health. Too much for me to cram in a week. I've been doing my part all quarter, consistently absorbing and learning the material. We have an "integrated" final exam this Friday. Most of you probably picture me sitting in a small room with glaring lights all day with a pile of books by my side. Sure I could sit in the library all day, plowing through all my books, losing my concentration left and right, spending more money on snacks and beverages than I should, falling asleep at the desk. I could study that way. With our cumulative exams, I take a different approach, and listen to review lectures that are interesting, make me think and cover all the essential material. If I just listened to the lectures while comfortably sitting down, I would be asleep in 5 minutes, so instead I listen while walking. Usually while walking the Dish! So instead, picture me with a smile on my face, listening to lecture reviews, while spotting a stellar jay along the trail, catching up on loop diuretics while taking in a view of the entire peninsula. A perfect blend of studying, exercising, and enjoying a beautiful day. A win-win-win. I'm actually enjoying this! Nailing the practice exams feels good too.

Big Sur Camping Trip

Just got back from a 4 day camping trip in Big Sur! Had some campfires, roasted marshmallows, had a great hike through the redwoods and relaxed on the beaches. So awesome!
The wildflowers were incredible!

Ireland!

What a trip! Here are some of the highlights...

Here's Abbey and me, yup we started down at the bottom where those teeny tiny houses are....


12/12 on the top of Croagh Patrick! 100% success rate! My Grandpa (80), made it the whole way by himself...WOWSERS!


It's okay Shawn, if you handled Iraq I think you can manage Western Ireland...


Oh Francis...What would we do without you? ;)


Jeremiah and Olivia will both be coming back to Ireland, I can count on it!


Mike, Shawn and Grandpa know how to pick the best bars...


Kitty and Abbey enjoying the Cliffs of Mahr...



All of us, enjoying the Atlantic Coast off Achill Island...


I have such a great, crazy, wonderful family and we had such a fun crazy trip together!
:)