THE ICE-CAP - SO WILD & STILL
Poem by Michelle Wakeley about her time spent with us on our recent Southern Patagonian Icecap Expedition
On the vast icecap below Paso Marconi
Finally, in El Chalten we arrive To face this southern cap of ice Our team of six come from far & wide Would we achieve her illusive prize?
The Patagonian gods mocked us with a sunny display Only to veil Cerro Fitzroy & Torre for days But with better reports, a little patience, We were on our way.
Across tangeled forests & boulders Condors welcomed us in full view Held by icy winds, La Playita became our refuge And so, the resident mouse did too!
A short delay, we tiptoed our way up the Marconi Grumbling avalanches & spin drift ahead Onward & upward we battled to her icy bowels Sure signs the gods weren't dead!
Buried alive, but we survived A night of force & fury from the west Sunburnt & smiling we reinforced our wall To find the gods had held their breath
Two perfect days we trod this mythical place The circus of Altares in full show Sunrise kisses, our trophey now found But here, no man can stay, we must go!
So with dark clouds brewing from the north The Patagonian gods veil our prize Faring us well, us intrepid few, With heartfelt memories we say our goodbyes
There our journey doesn't end Down glaciers, rivers & meadows of wild flowers, we descend Under shooting stars & starry skies, we sleep Oh, Patagonia, to leave you we shall weep!