The sublime Monte Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina 06 Mar 2017

Posted on 06 Mar 2017
Fitz Roy Mt near El Chalten in Patagonia, Argentina
Fitz Roy Mt near El Chalten in Patagonia, Argentina
Fitz Roy Mt near El Chalten in Patagonia, Argentina

About this photo

Monte Fitz Roy rises to roughly 3,400 metres in its jagged form from the southern Patagonian ice field. The border of Argentina and Chile runs through the centre of the region's highest peaks. Although the mountain was first climbed in 1952 it remains one of the hardest to scale in the world.

The mountains here were created when the Pacific tectonic plate collided with and was pushed under the South American plate. Magma from the earth's crust escaped and solidified, forming igneous rocks underneath sedimentary rocks. Winds, snow and ice eroded the upper sedimentary layer over time exposing the igneous rocks we see today.

See Monte Fitz Roy and Patagonia's incredible scenery for yourself on Insight Guides' Wild Patagonia trip.

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alessandro pinto/Shutterstock