Patagonia images

Chilean Patagonia has some of the most spectacularly beautiful landscapes on the planet, from massive, sprawling glaciers to fang-like mountain peaks, ancient forest – and some of the most amazing skies I have ever seen. With that in mind, and the fact that HidroAysén would dearly love to submerge/desecrate a few areas (namely the Rio Baker and Rio Pascua) in the interests of hydroelectric power (read: money) – a few photos from Patagonia (Chile and Argentina). The areas being considered for dams are even more wild and untouched, by the way.

Despite the fact that HidroAysén have run a high-profile ad campaign – to the effect that the Chilean population think they’re the best thing since sliced bread (really not a fan of the stuff myself) – a recent survey showed that around half of the Chilean population thinks that the dam projects are a bad thing. Good for them! You can find out more about the campaign to stop these projects on the Patagonia Sin Represas website.

All photos taken in 2008 and 2009 while researching a guidebook to Torres del Paine national park for Cicerone Press.

Old fishing boats, Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile (never ever believe someone if they advise you to skip Puerto Natales on your way to Torres del Paine because ‘there’s not much there’)

Cloud formations above Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine national Park, Patagonia, Chile

The Paine massif from near Lago Toro, Torres del Paine national park, Patagonia, Chile

Early morning light catches the massive east face of Cerro Paine Grande, Torres del Paine national park, Patagonia, Chile

Piedras Blancas glacier, El Chalten/Fitzroy area, Los Glaciares national park, Patagonia, Argentina

Torrent ducks (Merganetta armata), upper reaches of Valle Ascensio, Torres del Paine national Park, Patagonia, Chile

Evening light on Cerro Torre, El Chalten/Fitzroy area, Los Glaciares national park, Patagonia, Argentina

All images copyright Rudolf Abraham