August 5th - 8th, 2005, Las Lenas Argentina

That looks awesome...<br>Anyone know why the snowline doesn't extend into the trees there? Are there any trees at all? Seems weird not to have snow-covered forest in between the desert and the high-alpine.

Andy,<br>Thanks for the reports and great photos. They have kept "the spirit alive". Jill and I will spend October in the Argentine and Chilean Lake District skiing volcanoes and taking a Spanish Immersion course. We plan to spend November in southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. If you create a photo journal of your trip, we would enjoy viewing it. Thanks.<br>Zap<br>

is it just me, or do all these photos portray the slopes to be VERY uncrowded?  

<br><br>The lower part of the mountain was actually pretty crowded.  There is a ton of terrain off the Marte chair (where most of the pictures are from) but it is skied by a small percentage of people staying at Las Lenas.  Lift lines could be a hour long in some of the areas lower on the mountain.<br><br>Sounds like a great trip, Zap.  I´ll post some more photos when I get back or have better internet access.  We also wanted to check out Patagonia but could not fit it in.  I will look forward to the pictures and report while waiting for it to snow in the PNW.  We are now in Mendoza and are going to spend a few days here before going to Santiago for a few more days before heading home.<br><br>Phil, It would have been great to have some trees to ski.  I would also be interested to know why there are none.  <br><br>Andy<br>

Andy,<br>Saweeeet time skiing with you guys in Portillo. Wish I could have extended another week and seen Las Lenas. Oh well, just another reason to head back in a year or two.<br><br>Keep the turns smooth!<br>SS

Here are some more pictures.

A nice peak after the border

Marte from other angle

Central steep part on Marte

Our tracks last long run on first Marte day

Looking up at un skied area on last long run on first Marte day

The necklace - a backcountry bowl across from resort

Backside of long run

Photos by Steve Capone

High winds outside the tunnel between Argentina and Chile

Aconcagua - peak to left in distance with plume of spindrift

Andes in the distance driving to Las Lenas

Getting close to Las Lenas

First ride up Marte - no tracks!

Snow had to be cleared below lift

Looking back down on first ride up

Brad jumping rock

Steve skiing

Looking down bowl above Caris chair

Overview - bowl above Caris chair

Andy,<br>Great photos. Looking at blue skies and powder certainly rekindles the desire. "The Necklace" looked inviting - it reminded me of Hollywood Bowl near the Mammoth Crest. <br><br>Jill and I will be in Bariloche in a month for the spring touring season. Time to reglue the skins. Thanks for sharing your adventure.<br>Zap