Photo Gallery

The sky over Patagonia looks different from anywhere else. It is often veiled by very light clouds that let a strange light shine through. Sometimes the wind blows in violent gusts and causes sandstorms. Then it is necessary to seek shelter immediately to escape the turmoil of the elements. A yellowish light intensifies the sense of threat that grips the traveller. But the storm does not last long, and soon the sky is clear again. The inhabitants of the Pampas have taken advantage of the wind. They set up windmills at various points on their property and use them to pump water out of the ground. In many places this precious wet is completely lacking, which is all the more regrettable because thousands of cattle, which together with the sheep make up the wealth of Patagonia, need a watering place. This picture was taken on the estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1973

The sky over Patagonia looks different from anywhere else. It is often veiled by very light clouds that let a strange light shine through. Sometimes the wind blows in violent gusts and causes sandstorms. Then it is necessary to seek shelter immediately to escape the turmoil of the elements. A yellowish light intensifies the sense of threat that grips the traveller. But the storm does not last long, and soon the sky is clear again. The inhabitants of the Pampas have taken advantage of the wind. They set up windmills at various points on their property and use them to pump water out of the ground. In many places this precious wet is completely lacking, which is all the more regrettable because thousands of cattle, which together with the sheep make up the wealth of Patagonia, need a watering place. This picture was taken on the estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1973

The sky over Patagonia looks different from anywhere else. It is often veiled by very light clouds that let a strange light shine through. Sometimes the wind blows in violent gusts and causes sandstorms. Then it is necessary to seek shelter immediately to escape the turmoil of the elements. A yellowish light intensifies the sense of threat that grips the traveller. But the storm does not last long, and soon the sky is clear again. The inhabitants of the Pampas have taken advantage of the wind. They set up windmills at various points on their property and use them to pump water out of the ground. In many places this precious wet is completely lacking, which is all the more regrettable because thousands of cattle, which together with the sheep make up the wealth of Patagonia, need a watering place. This picture was taken on the estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1973

The sky over Patagonia looks different from anywhere else. It is often veiled by very light clouds that let a strange light shine through. Sometimes the wind blows in violent gusts and causes sandstorms. Then it is necessary to seek shelter immediately to escape the turmoil of the elements. A yellowish light intensifies the sense of threat that grips the traveller. But the storm does not last long, and soon the sky is clear again. The inhabitants of the Pampas have taken advantage of the wind. They set up windmills at various points on their property and use them to pump water out of the ground. In many places this precious wet is completely lacking, which is all the more regrettable because thousands of cattle, which together with the sheep make up the wealth of Patagonia, need a watering place. This picture was taken on the estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1973

A cistern truck and a car are travelling on National Road 3 in Patagonia. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Patagonia, also known as desierto verde (green desert), is an immense sheep pasture. The sheep are bred only for the wool. The estancieros completely neglect meat production. The sheep meat is therefore of poor quality and plays no role at all in the national budget. On the other hand, the price of wool has been repeatedly driven up on the international market. About ten million sheep are kept in the polar zones, seven million in Patagonia alone. The wool is pressed into bales of 200 to 300 kilos. It is shipped by ship from Río Gallegos (Santa Cruz province) to Buenos Aires and from Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) to Europe. In the last few years, synthetic fibres have increasingly competed with wool. Our picture was taken between Río Gallegos and Río Turbio (Santa Cruz province), on the track leading to the Cordillera. - 1973

This track leads to the Estancia Killik Aike Norte in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1973

The owners of the estancias are very often descendants of immigrants from Europe. They raise sheep to produce as much wool as possible. This estancia is called “Cancha Carreras” and is located between Río Turbio and Calafate (Santa Cruz province). An estancia consists of several buildings, namely residential houses, galpones, workshops, storage sheds, garages, meeting and entertainment halls, libraries, etc. On some estancias you can even find an airfield on which the small planes land that are necessary for the quick connection between the farm and the provincial capital. Enormous distances separate the individual estancias, which are practically cut off from the rest of the world. Contact with the outside world is maintained with the help of short-wave transmitters. Springs guarantee the water supply. They make it possible to establish plantations. Around the estancia stretches the grassy steppe of the pampas, where the domestic animals can graze undisturbed. - 1973

Guanacos are the most common wild animals in Patagonia. They belong to the large family of camels. Guanacos live in groups, are extremely shy and flee at any unusual noise. The Tehuelche used guanaco skins to make their clothing. - 1973

The “Cueva de las Manos”, a difficult-to-access rock shelter above the Río Pinturas, between Bajo Caracoles and Perito Moreno (Santa Cruz province). The walls are covered all over with depictions of hands. - 1973

The “Cueva de las Manos”, a difficult-to-access rock shelter above the Río Pinturas, between Bajo Caracoles and Perito Moreno (Santa Cruz province). In a side grotto are these rock paintings of guanacos, hands and symbols. The diameter of the circle is 27 cm. - 1973

On the estancia “La Margarita” at Lake Viedma, in the province of Santa Cruz, the gauchos set off for the sheep pastures. On horseback, they cover great distances across the steppes of Patagonia. - 1973

The dusty track of National Road 3 between Puerto San Julián and Puerto Santa Cruz - Patagonia - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Low tide on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean at the provincial border south of Comodoro Rivadavia. View towards the northeast - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Barren landscape on the way to Puerto San Julián on the Antlantic coast - Santa Cruz province - 1973

Flock of sheep on the Río Gallegos - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Letterbox of the Estancia La Tapera - in the background the Río Chico - Province Santa Cruz - 1973

On the way to Estancia Sofía - Río Gallegos Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

At the east end of Lago Fagnano in the region of Hostería Kaiken - Province of Santa Cruz - 1973

At Lago Argentino in the Calafate region. There are indigenous pictograms on the rocks. In the background the Andes. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Disused wheels on the edge of the Río La Leona - in the background Cerro Fortalezza 722m - Calafate Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Río La Leona with Cerro Fortaleza, 722m. - Calafate Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Horse skeleton in the pampas north of Río Turbio on the way to Calafate. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Steam locomotive with coal trailer in Río Turbio - Province of Santa Cruz - 1973

There are huge flocks of sheep in Patagonia. Not the meat but the wool is the main purpose of sheep farming. One sheep yields four to five kilos of wool. After shearing, it is pressed into bales weighing about 200 kilograms and wrapped in a cloth on which a worker writes the name of the estancia. - Estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1976

Lake Brazo Rico near Calafate - in the background you can already see the Perito Moreno glacier. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Rainbow over Lake Brazo Rico near Calafate - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

The northern arm of Lake Brazo Rico near Calafate - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

At the northern arm of the lake Brazo Rico near Calafate with a dead tree and two water birds - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Landscape at the eastern end of Lago Argentino. In the background the Andes. - Calafate Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

The western part of Patagonia is formed by the Andes Cordillera, which represents an insurmountable barrier in some sections. The winds blow from the Pacific in an almost unchanging direction. The clouds they bring accumulate above the high mountain peaks and cause abundant precipitation. This explains why, despite their low altitude, glaciers of sometimes enormous dimensions extend along the eastern flank of the Andes. In the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province) lies the Argentino, the Silver Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this southern region. The town of Calafate on its southern shore is visited by more and more tourists. Several glaciers can be seen nearby. One is called Uppsala and is 40 kilometres long. An equally famous one is called Perito Moreno. - On the picture you can recognise the author of these photos: Maximilien Bruggmann. - 1973

The western part of Patagonia is formed by the Andes Cordillera, which represents an insurmountable barrier in some sections. The winds blow from the Pacific in an almost unchanging direction. The clouds they bring accumulate above the high mountain peaks and cause abundant precipitation. This explains why, despite their low altitude, glaciers of sometimes enormous dimensions extend along the eastern flank of the Andes. In the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province) lies the Argentino, the Silver Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this southern region. The town of Calafate on its southern shore is visited by more and more tourists. Several glaciers can be seen nearby. One is called Uppsala and is 40 kilometres long. An equally famous one is called Perito Moreno. Navigation on the Silver Lake is dangerous, if only because of the wind and the storms that are frequent in the Cordillera. Nature, preserved in its authenticity, attracts many scientists who can devote themselves to their studies here. - 1973

The western part of Patagonia is formed by the Andes Cordillera, which represents an insurmountable barrier in some sections. The winds blow from the Pacific in an almost unchanging direction. The clouds they bring accumulate above the high mountain peaks and cause abundant precipitation. This explains why, despite their low altitude, glaciers of sometimes enormous dimensions extend along the eastern flank of the Andes. In the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province) lies the Argentino, the Silver Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this southern region. The town of Calafate on its southern shore is visited by more and more tourists. Several glaciers can be seen nearby. One is called Uppsala and is 40 kilometres long. An equally famous one is called Perito Moreno. Navigation on the Silver Lake is dangerous, if only because of the wind and the storms that are frequent in the Cordillera. Nature, preserved in its authenticity, attracts many scientists who can devote themselves to their studies here. - 1973

The western part of Patagonia is formed by the Andes Cordillera, which represents an insurmountable barrier in some sections. The winds blow from the Pacific in an almost unchanging direction. The clouds they bring accumulate above the high mountain peaks and cause abundant precipitation. This explains why, despite their low altitude, glaciers of sometimes enormous dimensions extend along the eastern flank of the Andes. In the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province) lies the Argentino, the Silver Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this southern region. The town of Calafate on its southern shore is visited by more and more tourists. Several glaciers can be seen nearby. One is called Uppsala and is 40 kilometres long. An equally famous one is called Perito Moreno. Navigation on the Silver Lake is dangerous, if only because of the wind and the storms that are frequent in the Cordillera. Nature, preserved in its authenticity, attracts many scientists who can devote themselves to their studies here. - 1973

The western part of Patagonia is formed by the Andes Cordillera, which represents an insurmountable barrier in some sections. The winds blow from the Pacific in an almost unchanging direction. The clouds they bring accumulate above the high mountain peaks and cause abundant precipitation. This explains why, despite their low altitude, glaciers of sometimes enormous dimensions extend along the eastern flank of the Andes. In the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province) lies the Argentino, the Silver Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this southern region. The town of Calafate on its southern shore is visited by more and more tourists. Several glaciers can be seen nearby. One is called Uppsala and is 40 kilometres long. An equally famous one is called Perito Moreno. Navigation on the Silver Lake is dangerous, if only because of the wind and the storms that are frequent in the Cordillera. Nature, preserved in its authenticity, attracts many scientists who can devote themselves to their studies here. - 1973

The Argentine Antarctic covers an area of 1,230,000 square kilometres, a world of ice and rocks that is still largely unexplored. Only a few have had the courage and endurance to venture into this inhospitable region, where dangers threaten and temperatures are extremely low. Already in certain sections of the Andes Cordillera, especially in the southernmost part, one feels this impression of solitude. You only have to make the trip to the Perito Moreno glacier to convince yourself of this. This magnificent glacier owes its name to an Argentinean naturalist. It is 17 kilometres long and at least three kilometres wide, with a front height of 70 metres. Here at the glacier break-off, blocks of ice are constantly breaking away and plummeting into the depths with a deafening roar. They then float as icebergs through Lake Argentino. The Perito Moreno glacier advances four metres a year - a consequence of the heavy precipitation on the peaks of the southernmost Andes. - 1973

Fitz Roy 3405 m), one of the most beautiful Argentinean Andean peaks, rises in the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz province). Because of the harsh weather that prevails in the mountains, it is dangerous to climb. - 1973

Fitz Roy (3375 m), one of the most beautiful Argentinean Andean peaks, rises in the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz province). Because of the harsh weather that prevails in the mountains, it is dangerous to climb. - 1973

Fitz Roy (3375 m), one of the most beautiful Argentinean Andean peaks, rises in the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz province). Because of the harsh weather that prevails in the mountains, it is dangerous to climb. - 1973

Fitz Roy (3375 m), one of the most beautiful Argentinean Andean peaks, rises in the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz province). Because of the harsh weather that prevails in the mountains, it is dangerous to climb. - 1973

Guanacos grazing on the pampas. The Fitz Roy massif in the background. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

On the Estancia Santa Margarita. In the background the Fitz Roy massif. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Metallic skeletons on the endless pampas, the "mills" tame the wind to pump essential water for the herds, sometimes from considerable depths. - Estancia Las Toscas, Province Santa Cruz, Patagonia - 1976

In southern Patagonia and especially on Tierra del Fuego and in southern Chile, the climate and vegetation only allow sheep farming. The flocks graze scattered over thousands of hectares of stony wasteland. They are only herded together for three occasions: Disinfection bath, shearing and slaughter. But then the ovejeros, the shepherd gauchos, are often on the move for days with their powerful dogs, keeping in touch with each other with high altitude fires and smoke signals. - Near Estancia Los Luises, Santa Cruz Province - 1973

On the estancia “La Margarita” at Lake Viedma, in the province of Santa Cruz, the gauchos set off for the sheep pastures. On horseback, they cover great distances across the steppes of Patagonia. In the background the Fitz Roy massif. - 1973