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SRGC Exploration Grant recipient - photo report

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Mike Kintgen:
The SRGC has various funds for grant aid – for example for student study  (Diane Aitchison Fund)  and the EXPLORATION  FUND.


This is a brief photo report of a project undertaken by Mike Kintgen (of the Denver Botanic Garden) and given an exploration grant by the SRGC.

 We (my colleague Dan Johnson and I) undertook the trip to continue a project Denver Botanic Gardens has been working on to study the flora of Patagonia (which is a steppe climate like Denver) and build relationships with botanists, scientists, horticulturists and gardeners in another steppe climate.   It was the third trip I have taken to Patagonia, and it allowed us to visit several areas we had not visited in the other trips.  We have travelled rather extensively in the Patagonia steppe from El Chalten to the northern edge of Patagonia.

We took several weekends and travelled in Patagonia from Jan 12 to Feb 5.


water bottles at shrine to  la Difunta Correa

It was an amazing trip

All the best
Mike


Lago Nahuel Haupi from Cerro Chaluallco

Mike Kintgen:
Cerro Chauluallco is a lesser known mountain near Bariloche, it is more arid than the more famous Cerro Catedral. 
 Habitats include Nothofagus forest filled with Alstroemeria to alpine screes, meadows and rock fields.


Acaena macrocephala at cerro Chauluallco


Acaena macrocephala at cerro Chauluallco


The white Form of Chaetanthera villosa is found here.   


Mulinum spinosum near Bariloche in the afternoon shade


Nassauvia lagascae v. lanata is also a specialty here on Cerro Chauluallco.

Mike Kintgen:
Next we traveled to the Meseta Somuncura near Valcheta 500 km east of Bariloche.   It is known for being one of the hottest and cold areas in the steppe.  It is a remote and rarely visited high massive plateau known for several endemic species of animals and plants.


Austrocactus on La Meseta Somuncura


Azorella aff. madreporica on Cerro Somuncura


Stipa humilus on Cerro Somuncura

Mike Kintgen:
We climbed Cerro Corrona the highest mountain on the Plateau and encountered an alpine like flora found in the Andes almost 500 km to the west.


 Cerro Corona on Meseta Somuncura


Larretia acaulis on Cerro Corona

Mike Kintgen:
After returning to Bariloche we drove north to Neuquen and Volcan Cophaue
This area is well known by flower enthusiast and features a smoking volcano, Arucaria forest and interesting alpines.
   

Volcan Copahue


Araucaria araucana near Volcan Copahue


Steppe near Copahue


Rhodophiala araucana near Volcan Copahue

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