Upsala Glacier, Valley glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.
Upsala Glacier is a valley glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, and among the largest on the continent. It flows into Lake Argentino and presents a towering ice wall where chunks regularly calve and collapse into the water.
Swedish researchers from Uppsala University conducted the first systematic studies of the glacier in the early 19th century. The name commemorates their institution and marks when scientific attention turned to this remote corner of South America.
The glacier shaped how Indigenous Tehuelche groups moved through the landscape and understood their surroundings. Today, local communities still reference these historical connections when talking about the region.
The best time to visit is between November and March when the lakes are ice-free and boat tours depart from El Calafate. Dress warmly and be prepared for changing weather, and set aside several hours for the full experience.
The glacier has been retreating for decades and separated from its neighboring Bertacchi Glacier, creating new waterways in the lake. These changes make visible how responsive ice masses are to shifts in climate.
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