Looking back at where it all started: a first big hike, aged six, to the lagoon beneath Mount Fitz Roy.
Here’s a picture of me on the trail. Can you tell I look more happier than ever?
Almost every February, one of my parents shares photos on our family chat from another February many years ago. So it was not out of the ordinary when my Mom sent a photo of me from our Patagonia hiking adventures back in 2016. For understandable reasons, it is one of my parent’s fondest memories and while I don’t remember every detail of the trip, it is one of my favorite memories too— because while my first hike was in the summer of 2014, this one was my first legit big hike.
I was six at the time and I was game for anything when my parents proposed a day hike in lieu of a stuffed animal, unlimited ice-cream, and unlimited iPad time. That is how I was wooed into the world of serious hiking.
Laguna De Los Tres is a beautiful hiking trail in the Argentinian Andes and is popular among both locals and tourists. Serious hikers come from all over the world to complete this item on their bucket lists. It is a 13.6 mile (or 22 kilometer) hike with a total elevation gain of 3,445 feet, or 1,050 meters, based on what the guidebooks tell me. This makes it a very difficult hike for most adults to complete, let alone a 6 year old child.
Too young to be daunted by these numbers, I decided to give it a try. Plus the thought of infinite ice-cream afterwards was I am sure an obvious reason to toughen up and complete the trek.
La Laguna is situated in a breathtaking natural setting, with stunning views of the Andes mountains and crystal clear water in the lagoon. Despite the difficulty, it is a popular hike in Patagonia, Argentina, mostly because the trail offers views of the Andes, Mount Fitz Roy, and its surrounding glaciers. The hike is challenging, with steep inclines and rocky terrain, but the reward of reaching the lake and taking in the scenery is worth anybody’s effort.
If I’m being honest, I don’t remember much about the experience. However, I do remember feeling very excited to go on an adventure and explore the outdoors in Argentina.
I also vaguely remember some very steep inclines and rocky terrain which our family photos confirm, but I know with absolute certainty that the scenery at the end made it all worth it. I remember munching on my sandwich, being rewarded with an incredible view of the lagoon and surrounding Andes mountains. As I go through the photos, it is clear that this is a mindblowing trek and sometimes wish I had done it more recently so that I could remember it more. Maybe someday, I will be able to go back to that part of the world!
Here’s a picture of me at the summit, fully satisfied with the success of the hike— and ready to eat some good food!
After hiking for many hours, I was exhausted; even with a sandwich and the satisfaction of completing such a difficult climb filling my belly. However, I persisted; and when I began to feel ready again, I made my way down the mountain. My Dad carried me for the last two of the eleven kilometers back.
Although my memories are definitely fuzzy, it was a great experience that allowed me to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the world around me. Just by looking at the pictures of my time there, I am certain about three things: a) I would definitely recommend this hike to anyone looking for a rewarding adventure, b) I definitely stuffed myself with ice-cream and Potu, my new stuffed animal penguin friend, (my other reward), is a cutie, and c) if this hike had not gone well, my parents would not have tried other hiking adventures with me, which would have been such a shame.
I will always get hit with a wave of nostalgia about Argentina (and this trail!) whenever I see my stuffed animal “Potu.”
