The protagonist of this article is part of the southern Patagonian ice field. It doesn’t have the volume or the extension of its neighbors Grey or Tyndall. It exhibits two main arms, which separated by a nunatak (rock island or mountain peak) give the characteristic shape to this glacier. A beautiful and wide lake is born from it, while a river emerges meandering for several kilometers until it enters a valley and ends its course in the Grey river.
Did you guess which glacier I’m talking about? That’s right, the Pingo glacier.
Lagoon and glacier Pingo.
The consequences of climate change haven’t made an exception for this glacier. It has experienced a significant retreat, since it’s a glacier located at a low altitude (its front is about 300 m.a.s.l.) and its extension is declining every year. This can be seen in the following image, obtained from the glaciological laboratory of Chile:
Image obtained from the glaciology laboratory website, used for informational and didactic purposes only.
Acceso al mirador del glaciar Pingo para excursionistas
Summary of the excursion:
|
Country |
Chile |
| Area |
Torres del Paine National Park |
| N° of days |
2 days |
|
Distance |
40km (round trip) |
|
Difficulty |
Medium(*) |
|
Path |
Noticeable |
| Coordinate |
Lat: – 51.010003 ; Long: -73.339646 |
This beautiful glacier is located on the western side of the Torres del Paine, an area of the park that is little frequented and of high scientific interest (which we will discuss in detail in another article). These lands are under the care of Walter Ferrier (a pioneer in the area). In order to access it, you must first request authorization from Conaf [The National Forestry Corporation], and only accredited guides are allowed to go there.
After registering your visit and number of days of stay (considering that at least 1 night of camping is required to see the glacier), you start the hike along a clearly marked trail with very little slope. After 4 km, you arrive at a refuge near the shore of the Pingo river, which has only a campsite without basic services. Passing it you’ll find a sign indicating a 12 km distance to the Zapata camp. On the way to this camp, you’ll have the opportunity to contemplate 2 beautiful waterfalls: Chorrillo de los Salmones waterfall and Pingo waterfall, while a beautiful forest of coigües [oak] and lengas [white oak] shelters you with its shadows. If you are (very) lucky, you might find some huemul along the way, or maybe a bagual [wild horse] grazing near the camp (they usually cross the river from one side to the other looking for food). After 16 km, you’ll have reached the Zapata camp, which is ideal to set up your shelter (from here you are 4 km from the viewpoint of the Pingo and Zapata glacier).
On the second day, leaving the camp and following the well-marked trail, you’ll find a sign indicating that the viewpoint is approximately 1 hour (4 km) away. At times, there are heaps of stones indicating the direction to follow, which will lead you to cross a small stream and begin a low-difficulty ascent. After overcoming a marshy area, you’ll see the viewpoint, and if the day is clear you will be delighted with the lake and glacier Pingo, as well as the lagoon that rises from the waterfall of the Zapata glacier. The return is by the same route as the outward journey.
(*) Regarding the weighting of the difficulty, “Medium” is understood as a physical activity that requires some experience on trails with slopes and muddy areas, or areas with abundant vegetation, in addition to relatively long distances carrying a backpack. It’s recommended to take the necessary considerations.
Gallery of Pingo glacier.
Finally, here you have a selection of the best pictures I’ve been able to capture of this glacier from different angles and perspectives. I hope these postcards will inspire you and that you will book this beautiful excursion!
Sunset on the Pingo glacier.
Pingo glacier from the peak of Zapata Hill
Pingo glacier cavern
Lagoon and Pingo glacier
