Hiking up Cathedral Day 1 12km 12/19

I was a bit drunk last night. We had 3 craft beers in the local craft beer area of town. It's several streets lined w craft beer bars and restaurants. Super fun, super dangerous. The chick we shared a bedroom w talked then laughed in her sleep hella loud. Andy thought she was talking on the phone (we were on the bottom bunks). The room was nice and dark, we woke up at 8 and ate downstairs a boiled egg, toast w yummy artisan topping dulce de leché. 

Then we had to figure out our flight before we left for the hike for 5 days. We searched from multiple places, Bariloche or Puerto Montt, to multiple places in Columbia. Nothing was cheap or available. I was a little concerned. We walked to the Argentinian airline and waited. It was crazy busy so I jumped online and we settled for a flight leaving on 12/24 from Bariloche (yay no bus back to Chile), 3 layovers, landing in Cartegena all for the bargain price of $1k each. Oh well. At least we'll make it. I have to remember that dealing w this shit is part of the adventure. Well it takes me a week to relax so now I'm officially relaxed. 

Andy talked to the info lady and found out lots of useful info. The bus doesn't take cash so we need a card. We got a better map. Back to the hostel to leave some of our shit for our trek. Up the hill to find the bus stop for Villa Cathedral. 

A short ride up the mountain and we started our trek ~3. The beginning was hot w a shit ton of bugs- horseflies, gnats, wasps- flying in our face. This was going to be a long trek if it's going to be like this. Fuckers. We walked around the lake w a view of Bariloche w Cerro Cathedral on the right w towering granite peaks. Then we hiked through the woods of birch along the river. So beautiful and peaceful. When we stopped for a break we were lucky to see a momma bird eating a bug and her baby bird chirping for food. Then maybe a couple feet away, the momma fed her baby. Right in front of our eyes!!

Back on the trail. We hiked above the tree line to Refugio Frey. The hike took us over 3 hours for 12 km up ~2700ft.  The towering mountains all around us, a lake on one side, the valley on the other. We immediately put up our tent w all the support strings and rocks- yeah it's going to get windy tonight. Back into the Refugio for some beers and big ass delish pizza for $22. Not a bad way to end the day. The scenery is pretty amazing. Yes we are in Patagonia. Poor Andy is sick, he caught my cold, we just started the trek. We'll have to play it by ear.