Alerce Andino (cont.) (10-12 Dec. 1999)

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We continued along a path that was especially intriguing when passing creeks. Each bridge was made by one single tree, a big one, that is. Apparently, the thing most worth seeing in the park was its namesake, the Alerce Andino. This tree was among the oldest on the planet. The oldest specimens were around 3200 years old. It was really a fascinating thought that these monster organisms had started to sprout 1200 before Jesus and where still alive (without resurrection)! The smaller tree next to the big one was possible to hug (see right), but small in comparison.   We could have turned back after having seen this main attraction, but decided to go even deeper into the park. We finally managed to reach the densely overgrown shore of Laguna Fr�a (see below) before turning back to a waterfall that we had just seen on the way. Although the plateau above the fall seemed perfect for sunning and beatifully surrounded by red flowered trees, desperately hungry horse-flies made us flee, back to the civilisation.   The next day in Puerto Montt was cloudy, and for once we didn't burn calories in some national park, but refilled our empty supplies at a typical sea food restaurant in the Puerto Montt harbour. One week in the Puerto Montt area, awaiting the Navimag boat to take us all the way to southern Patagonia, was finally coming to an end.

Puerto Ed�n

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