Torres Del Paine

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Wow, this is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Mind blowing scenery, but sadly all the weather to go along with it. After a busy night running around Puerta Natales getting organised, we embarked on the "W" Trail. Cleverly, the shape of the route looks like the letter "W", hence the name. The main sights of the park can be seen from the route including the Torres del Paine Mountains, Lago Grey(Lake Grey), Lago Nordenskjold, and the amazing Cuernos Mountains. The whole trek can be done by staying in either hotels, refugios, or campgrounds, and takes roughly 5 days to complete. We has intended to stay at the refugios, but kind of got swept up with the challenge of it all, so hired a tent.

Day 1 was a four hour hike in horizontal rail, not a good start as everything got drenched, including the sleeping bags, but we grinned and bared it at the campground by Grey Glacier. Luckily the next day the weather cleared up so we got to appreciate it before leaving. Days 2 and 3 were OK weather wise, so we got a fantastic view of the French Valley. We had paced ourselves for 5 days, and rationed the food accordingly (very heavy packs as we don't like to go without!). Unfortunately on day 4 the wind was so strong it knocked us over many times, face first into the dirt and thistles, followed by our packs. Sun glasses, hats, pack covers, anything not tied down went flying. We tried to carry on for 3 hours, but it was just hopeless, we were both covered in scrapes and bruises, and with no advice available on the route ahead, huddled under a bush we had to make a decision to pull the plug a day early. We have never experienced such wind, very scary and had me in tears at one point. So we missed the grand finale, the towers, which we had planed to reach at sunrise on day 5. I cant describe the feeling of loss as we came out on the bus a day early, having paced ourselves for the big climb and to not make it. I will never know if it was the right decision, maybe we could have made it, but we did see ambulances going in, so I am quite worried for some friends who took the other road up.

Very much reminded what it means to be alive tonight. Seeing places like this is the reason we work hard.

Highlight: French Valley
Lowlight: Coming out early (obviously!)
Best Munch: Sausage/rice stir fry on day 3 off the little camp cooker.
Best Gulp: Glacier water
Rate: 9/10
Interesting Fact: We saw loads of Guanacos, kind of like alpacas. Apparently descendants of a jackrabbit-size animal that originated in North America more than 40 million years ago. The guanaco can run nearly 35 miles per hour, faster than any other Patagonian animal except the puma, and they can also swim really well.

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Comments

[Jan]

Enjoying your travel stories and photos
Hi Nicole and Callum What intrepid travellers you two are! I'm really enjoying following your journey, it's making me very keen to explore Sth America some day. I look forward to your next installment. Have a great Easter. Love Jan

[niccal]

Happy Easter
Hi Jan, Thanks for reading, would definitely recommend traveling around Chile, so much to see and do here! Hope you guys have a great Easter too. I think we will be spending the majority of it on a bus!! Love Nicole