Patagonian dawn

Whatever the time of year, visitors to Chile’s wild southern fringes would be well advised to pack for all four seasons. Menacing clouds can intensify or dissipate in minutes, and fierce winds ensure an ever-shifting forecast.

But on this morning in the early austral spring, as dawn breaks over the shore of Lago General Carrera, the water is calm. The lake, a glacier-fed giant that spans the border with Argentina and is one of the largest in South America, is host to one of Patagonia’s most spectacular natural wonders.

Boasting sculpted pillars, vaulted ceilings and ornate, textured walls, this unique geological formation on the western edge of the lake is known as the ‘marble cathedral’ by locals.