The Calluqueo Glacier is located in the west slope of the Monte San Lorenzo (47°35’S-72°18’O). It’s a valley glacier which front side is covered by fallen rocks, most of them from its side moraines.
It stands out because of its name, which refers to the last name of one of the first settlers of the place: Mrs. Ana Calluqueo. It has a front lagoon of 3.5 km long and steep side moraines from which rock fragments constantly fall.
In 1943, it was visited and photographed by the Italian priest Alberto de Agostini. Today, those photographs gain a priceless importance when compared to the current scenario, which helps to gauge the effects of the climate change on the glaciers.
Photography taken by Alberto de Agostini in 1943.
In a study published in 2013, Falaschi et al. discovered on the Calluqueo Glacier surface a dramatic receding occurred between 1985 and 2008. During this time, the glacier registered a front receding of 580 mts., meaning an average speed of 25 meters per year of front recede.
It is possible to visit this glacier located 55 kms away from Cochrane, reach the viewpoint of the glacier by own means and even hire excursions to walk with crampons on it.
Mountains surrounding the Calluqueo Glacier. Photo: Marcos Cole
Reference
Falaschi, D., Bravo, C., Masiokas, M., Villalba, R. & Rivera, A., 2013. First glacier inventory and recent changes in glacier Area in the Monte San Lorenzo Region (47° S), Southern Patagonian Andes, South America. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research 45:19-28
