The colossal black glacier of the Tronador

A unique phenomenon is nested high in Tronador Hill. It is the Ventisquero Negro glacier. It is decidedly unique because of the intense grayish color that covers the ice blocks composing it. In this sense, it is different from the immaculately white glaciers, such as Perito Moreno in Santa Cruz.

This distinction, regardless of how magical we may find it, is not fortuitous.  It is due to the strident rockfalls and icefalls that hit the valley from the Manso glacier's icecap (700 meters [2,300 ft] above). The amazing detaching seracs fall uproariously on the cliffs and crash into the glacier valleys. This material settles over the formed thick ice layer and mixes with volcanic ashes, producing this extraordinary black color.        

The visible part of the Ventisquero Negro is about 60 meters high, but it is calculated to have a total height of 200 meters, since two thirds of it are hidden below. Due to climate change, the glacier is retreating.

Tronador Hill is shared by Chile and Argentina. The Argentine portion is located inside the Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the province of Rio Negro. Tronador's foot is approximately 70 km (43.5 mi) away from San Carlos de Bariloche. The hill is 3,478 meters high [11,411 ft] (International Peak), and it owes its name to the roars generated by falling ice blocks.

In addition to the International Peak, other visible peaks are the Argentine Peak(3,410 m / 11,188 ft) and the Chilean Peak (3,430 m / 11,253 ft). Besides Ventisquero Negro, the mountain top is home to six other glaciers.
Tourists from all over the world come to Tronador Hill fascinated by the possibility of watching the Ventisquero Negro glacier. It is also possible to walk on it with appropriate equipment and the assistance of authorized guides.