After two days of trekking a total of about 25 miles, we decided to give our legs a rest and visit the Viedma Glacier.  Located within the Los Glaciares National Park, the Viedma is the largest glacier in Argentina and is approximately 400 years old. It has an area of 380 square miles and flows directly from the South Patgonic Ice Field to the aqua-marine colored Viedma Lake. The front of the glacier rises about 130 feet above the level of the lake.

We met the catamaran at the lake dock and waited for the crowd to exit off the boat. To our surprise, there were only about 6 other people who boarded the vessel. We met up again with the delightful young couple who we met last night at the restaurant and we immediately started chatting up a storm.

The boat ride to the glacier was about an hour. Viedma Lake is sizeable (about 428 square miles) and one must take a boat to the glacier.  It cannot be seen from any other viewpoint except by air or water.  Once we arrived at the glacier, we could see the imposing peak of Mt. Huemal.  The face of the glacier is a vibrant blue ice wall. The majestic color is caused by the lack of oxygen in the ice. The infamous Patagonia winds were fierce on the water making it difficult to stay on the top deck for any length of time.  At times, it felt like we could be swept off the boat.