MARTIAL GLACIER

One of the most thrilling and suggested non-conventional excursions in Tierra del Fuego is the trip to Martial Glacier, an impressive snow-covered mountain located in a hotel area which represents the most important drinking water source of the city. There, at the foot of its immensity, is the Martial Glacier Resort, a place where all kinds of sport events take place in a magnificent atmosphere provided by nature.

Martial Glacier is at 4.5 km from the city, to the northeast. The paved road, snow-free in winter time, allows traffic to flow smoothly up to the large parking lots at the hotel.

The glacier is 1.050 masl. It was named after Captain Luis Fernando Martial, head of the French expedition, who visited the area in 1883 in the war transportation "Romanche" with a group of researchers whose mission was to observe the planet Venus.

The tourist resort opened in 1983 and one of its main attractions is the chair-lift, mounted on steel sheets that form hexagonal tubes that provide great resistance to twisting. The chairs, a total of 100, are built of steel tubes and they move parallel to the ski slope (1,180 m long). The ascension takes 8 to 10 minutes.

The chair-lift trip is not only an attraction because of the beautiful sights of the city, but because it offers an interesting chance to go for walks to the glacier. From the top station, different paths will lead the tourist to such as the "portillo", from where he can observe the Andorra Canyon.

Walking excursions on ice are easy, the steepest gradient being at the beginning of the trip. Precaution should be taken with cracks, especially in spring and fall, when ice bridges are usually weak. If you do not have the right equipment, it would be convenient to climb Negro Canyon, a vast valley opening to the right as you go up to the glacier, after leaving the chair-lift.

During winter time the resort turns into an alpine ski center. Thus, it is the season that gives most of the alternatives to skiers: alpine ski, snowboard, sledges. There is also the possibility of doing crossings out of the tracks, but only for skiers already familiar with the area or in the company of specialized guides. The entire needed gear can be rented and individual or group classes can be taken in the city center.

The center offers a wide range of actions during summer time. Walks and trekking tracks in stunning places, along paths that will make visitors feel they are XXI century conquerors, crossing rivers that go down the mountain or going along bridges made of native trees; in constant and intense contact with nature.

Walks may be short, taking an afternoon or a day, and the tourist may walk on ice and, among other wonders, enjoy the Andorra Valley that runs parallel to the Beagle Channel and surrounds the city in the north, or the Vicinguerra Glacier and homonymous Hill, Navarino and Hoste Islands or the Beagle Channel.

ACTIVITIES AT MARTIAL GLACIER

Torch Descent.
The traditional Torch Descent takes place at the Glacier to welcome the winter season. Participants, skiers and snowboarders light fireworks at the border of the Glacier and they go down carrying torches and flares while the public gathers at the end of the track to welcome participants. The activity finishes when a puppet is set fire by the crowd.

Fauna and Bird Watching
The perfect season runs from the end of September to the end of March. It is advised to organize an afternoon outing to observe the hardworking beavers or the many other species in their environment (Gentoo Penguin, Magellanic Diving-Petrel, Ruddy-headed Goose, Andean Condor and Magellanic Woodpecker, just to mention a few) that live in this southern area.

Mountaineering
These outings, which hold different degrees of difficulty, are organized with the help of trained guides and take one or more days. The mountains in the region offer a combination of rock, carryings, ice or snow. On getting to the top of the mountains the tourist will enjoy the most unbelievable sights.

Mountain Biking
It is carried out in Tierra del Fuego National Park and in the surroundings of Ushuaia and, if well advised, in the company of a guide. The cost of the excursion will include transport to the park, bike, backpack, rain equipment, helmet and packed lunch. Bikes can be easily rented in the city.

Overflying
For those tourists who love panoramic views but do not feel like climbing a mountain, light aircrafts take off from local airports to give them the opportunity to get a privileged view of the end of the world and its surroundings.

Golf
At the end of the world you can take pleasure in playing golf in a fascinating and unique scenario. Six km away from Ushuaia, the most southern golf court, surrounded by the impressive Andes Mountain Range, has 9 holes with double exit, 5,371 m and comfortable facilities in the Valley of Pipo River.

Cruises
During summer time, from September to March, cruises sail along the southern circuit of South America. They set sail in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) or Buenos Aires (Argentina) and stop at Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile) and sail along the Chilean channels to Puerto Montt or Valparaiso (Chile).

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

• Do not drop litter on the mountains. Place it in the bins at the chair-lift resort.
• Do not walk over the ice of the glacier, there are very dangerous cracks.
• Ask the chair-lift staff about the safest paths.
• Do not harm the fauna and flora of the place.