Glaciers originate from snowfall accumulation on the valley bottoms and slopes in high mountain areas. The thickness of the ice mass could reach large proportions if the snow lost during thaws is less than the accumulated during snowfalls. Its compact mass is generated because each snowfall compresses the snow that fell in pre-existing storms. If the heat fails to melt the ice, it thickens and moves towards the valley floor, displacing the protruding rocks.
Los Perros Glacier is located inside the Torres del Paine National Park, specifically in the section of the Paine massif circuit popularly known as the “O”. It’s the first glacier that can be seen along with its lagoon in this route on the third day of hiking. About the the origin of its name it is said that in the past during the expeditions carried out by John Garner and Oscar Guineo, it was common to see wild dogs that frequented this sector. Its origin flows from the mountain range of the Olguín glacier, which gives it that characteristic mountain shape similar to a snowdrift.
Since its creation, Torres del Paine National Park has undergone changes in its landscape, organization, and dimensions. This is why, in 1970, a new decree expanded the park’s surface by 11,000 hectares, adding the Valle del Francés [French Valley], including its glacial cirque and mountains, and the Perros River Valley. Thus, six years later, the formation and consolidation of the Paine Massif Circuit followed.
Like most of our glaciers, this one is also in retreat, which is why it’s possible to see in its lagoon small ice floes of millenary ice, since they are of an intense white, indicating the amount of compressed oxygen that it has in their interior. The whiter the ice is, the older it is.
The comparative photo above corresponds to the present year, while the second one dates from 1994 (the second photo was taken by Andrés Figueroa Zurita).
Here it’s clear the great retreat of this iconic and well-known glacier. There is a noticeable growth in its lagoon and an appreciable decrease given the mass of ice; something similar happens with the glaciers that flow into the sea, increasing the volume of the various oceans. There are not only negative consequences of the melting of these legendary guardians of fresh water because the large amount of minerals drives the growth of large quantities of phytoplankton attracting large cetaceans to our shores and giving beautiful sightings of these.
The fight for the conservation of these relics must gain more and more enthusiasm so that we can leave a legacy for future generations and understand their importance in the ecosystem and our lives.
