After leaving Pucon we took a six hour bus ride south to the town of Puerto Montt. This is a port town on the coast and is a jumping off point for boats heading south down the Chilean coast. We stayed in the town for two nights before flying to Punta Arenas in Patagonia. It was then a quick transfer onto a bus for the journey to Puerto Natales where we spent 2 nights preparing for our ten day trek in the Torres Del Paine national park. We would be walking the "circuit" and the "W" which are the two main treks in the park. We would also be spending one day on Glacier Grey exploring and ice climbing.
So it was on a typically Patagonian "wet and windy" morning that we set off for the start of the trek loaded down with tents, stoves and ten days of pasta and "beanfeast" - yum!!!!
Loaded down at the start
The first two days of the trek the weather remained wet and windy and we all got a good soaking on the first night. I was pretty exhausted after day one and wasn't looking forward to another nine days.
Struggling against the wind on day two
Taking a break on the trail
By the end of the second day we had reached the campsite of Dickson which is set on the shores of lake Dickson. They had a shop and refuge here so after a cold shower and some food we all sat in the refuge to warm up before another night under canvas. Day three was much shorter and took us to the campsite of Los Peros which is located next to a glacier of the same name. The picture below is of me standing on some mini icebergs that have broken off the glacier behind me:
We all headed to bed early as day four was to be the hardest of the whole trek. It was not a huge distance but involved crossing a bog, climbing a steep pass, descending through steep forest and finally walking for four hours along the side of Glacier Grey. We left camp at 7am and after a tough morning getting wet in the bog and climbing we reached the pass at 11:30am. The wind at the top was incredibly strong and nearly blew me over on several occasions!!! The view that greeted us at the top however was breathtaking as we could see Glacier Grey stretching out below us.
Crossing the pass
Glacier Grey viewed from the pass
The front of the glacier
After the pass we descended through forest and walked along the side of the glacier to arrive at the campsite around 8pm. The campsite is on the shores of Lake Grey and would be our base for two nights. On day five we went for a day trek onto the glacier. This started with a boat ride across the lake in an Zodiac inflatable boat before being kitted out in crampons, harnesses and ice axes. It was a great trek on the most bizarre landscape. The trek lasted about four hours and we saw deep cravasses, waterfalls, streams and even went ice climbing - an amazing experience.
Trekking on the glacier
Down a cravass
Ice climbing with crampons and ice axe!!!
Day six of the trek and we continued further round the circuit to the campsite of Italiano, about a six hour hike from camping Grey. We were also now trekking on what is called the "W" part of the circuit which is a more popular trail and was much busier. We even stopped for lunch at a new hotel that has been constructed in the park. We arrived at Italiano in the pouring rain and cold - decided to retire early!!!
Day seven we did a day hike from the campsite up the Valley Frances to get views of the mountains (Cuernos) and the glacier Frances. It was a beautiful day and we had fantastic views of the Cuernos:
At the viewpoint (Mirador) at the top of the Valley Frances
On day eight we left Italiano campsite a trekked to our final campsite called Las Torres. The trek took most of the day following a trail along a lake in open countryside. We arrived in camp at around 4pm in beautiful warm sunshine. Las Torres is the main resort in the park and has a hotel, restaurants, hostel and camping.
Day nine we did our last full day trek to see the famous "Torres". Yet again we were incredibly lucky with the weather and were blessed with no wind and warm sunshine. The trek took about three hours the last part of which was up steep scree slope to the base of the Torres. From the top we could see the Torres rising vertically up, amazing to see.
Kieron, Me and Rich at the Torres
We arrived back in camp around 4pm and relaxed in the campsite enjoying the weather. Everyone in the group agreed that it was a fantastic experience and something we would all remember for a long time.
Back in camp - getting a brew on!!!
Day ten, "the final day", started with a late breakfast before a final two hour trek to the bus stop where it all began ten days previously. Yet again it was a beautiful day with great views of the Torres:
Hiking to the bus stop - The Torres behind me
Phew, done it!!!!!
After a well deserved shower and change of clothes we all headed out for a celebratory meal. It was a tough but incredibly rewarding ten days and one of the highlights of my trip so far.
After two days here in Punta Arenas we head even further south into Argentina and the final destination of Ushuair - at the southerly tip of South America. Only one more week left in South America before I fly north to California where the next chapter in my travels begins!!!
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