SGT ARGENTINA

Pt. 5

It was such a privilege to be down in Northern Patagonia with the SGT crew.  Days were long but they went by too fast.  At first it seemed as though two weeks might be too long to be away from all that was familiar, but I could've easily stayed longer.  We had the best guides to show us around, ate awesome food, hiked more than I ever have, spoke Spanish, and took unbelievable photos with very little effort.

SGT Argentina has something to offer that neither Windell's, High Cascade, nor any other camp in North America has: Culture.  We were surrounded by Spanish, Argentine Spanish at that.  Forget all that classroom grammar you may have learned in High School or College.  This was the real deal.  Spanish teachers in the past said, "oh you don't need to learn vosotros, they only use that in Spain."  Welp, they didn't have Argentine Spanish in mind, and the locals take it to a new level in Bariloche.  "Como estas" is replaced with "como va," and the reply isn't "bien y tu," it's "bien y vos."  It's just a small example of  a very cool and interesting twist on the language found nowhere outside of the country, even in close by Chile.   Friendly people stoked on healthy living, positivity, and skiing the amazing terrain in and around Cerro Catedral.

Free delicious juice box to start the day?  Si, por favor!

Hiking for turns and eating lunch on the top of enormous peaks became routine, but never got boring. We hiked to the top of Laguna one day only to spot part of the group accross the valley skiing down an enormous face.  We yodeled to the group who had to have been over a mile away in the chance that they may hear us.  When were returned that evening back to the hotel we were amazed to find out that they heard our yells.  

Nikita in the Palmera trees

En route to the top of Laguna

The group across the valley (not visible) heard our off key yodels

Even the Argentine Army know Freeskiing is where its at.

Nikita and I on the last day after an amazing two weeks of skiing.

The trip was so much fun and I can't wait to get down there next summer.  Judging by how much fun we had skiing with only one day of fresh snow, it can only get better.  The great people, amazing views, sweet living arrangements, and delicious foods will remain constants.  Now to make Summers in Argentina a constant as well... 

Hasta la proxima vez! Until next time! 

Chao!

Thank you to the Shchemelevs and the SGT Family for making all of this possible!

Best ski trip yet...

SGT ARGENTINA 

Pt. 4

Without fresh snow we have had to work a little harder to find the goods.  Mother Nature has decided to hold off on giving Northern Patagonia any precip these days -- time to get creative.  We ventured out of bounds and skied some trees, built some jumps, and even spun laps through the park.

The view never gets old from the top of the Nubes lift.  Looking beyond the area boundaries you can see giant peaks stretching all the way to the horizon hundreds of miles away.  Lake Nahuel Huapi is visible below shimmering in the sun,   Clouds sometimes hug to lower elevations in the mornings covering the lower valley and making only the peaks visible above the clouds, and it feels surreal.

                                      

Nikita's skiing is getting much better as he gets used to skiing bigger, steeper, and more advanced lines than any of Southern Vermont's peaks have to offer.  Most of the time he is the first to follow the guides' lead.  All this skiing outside of the park will make him a more confident skier upon return.

Nipper stands small compared to the giant spires at the top of Laguna

We had the opportunity to build a jump with the one and only Garrett Russell.  Garrett brings a very contagious positive vibe with him whenever he skis and Nikita and I were stoked to be in his group.  The jump was a perfect little booter just above the bootpack out to Laguna from the Bosque lift.  

Garrett and Nipper spotting for those sending it

 Nikita skiing towards Palmera 

Pete telling us to focus on the space in between the trees

The large trees dwarfed Nikita

Fellow ripper Dillon making his way out of the trees and into the bamboo before the hike out

Crushing

Wood fired Argentine Asado with chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage) and steaks.

Praying for some snow before we leave!

SGT ARGENTINA

Pt 3

New adventures await us each day we go out on the mountain.  Snowfall last Saturday made the skiing really good and led us to hike out beyond the area boundaries to explore.  Time has gone by so fast, as it should when you are having fun...
Sometimes we hike up and ski down, sometimes we ski down and hike out.   We've covered so much of the terrain here, with our SGT guides leading us to all the goods.  There's so much area to cover and we have had opportunities to see it all.  It's all dependent on what we want to do and how long we want to hike.

Madre Tierra or "Mother Earth"

Argentine pup

Just another incredible view

The hike out to Laguna

Pete (center) guiding the way, with Nikita below

Hiking above Laguna en route to Tage chutes

Pretty cool spot for lunch

Tikos 

Laguna

A bootpack out of Laguna

After long days on the hill, coffee and empanadas from Tage hit the spot.  Empanadas are fried meat filled pastries that come in either jamon y queso (ham and cheese) or carne (meat).  Both are highly delicious and extremely enjoyable, while somehow providing relief to sore muscles.  Top it off with a dip in the heated pool and the ski day is complete.