CHILE, Patagonia, Hiking Torres del Paine (Part 2)

Sunday  12/19/10  to  Friday   12/24/10

Incredible 6 nights and 7 days in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in Chile. Every day hiking had every type of weather imaginable. It was really windy every day but one. I mean anywhere from 30-60 mph constantly. Some gusts stronger than others but always constant. It gets dark around 10:30 pm and light around 4:30 am so there is plenty of daylight to hike. There was rain about half of the time but more of a light drizzle than a downpour. Good rain gear is essential. There was not a lot of hiking high in the mountains. Most of the hiking was up and down along the lakes with the occasional hike up to Los Torres, the French Valley and to see Glacier Grey. While many times the hikes up were painful they were not difficult by any means. If I had camped instead (which I probably should have), the hikes would have been more challenging and the views even more spectacular I have been told. The hiking and scenery was beautiful and fun regardless.  Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Glacier Grey

Wind blowing the water

Condors

CHILE, Patagonia, Torres del Paine (Part 1)

December 18-24, 2010

Incredible experience hiking the W Circuit in  Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in Chile. Stayed in Refugio's (hostel like but closer to hotel with bunk beds). The cost was about $45 a night without sheets and blanket which was extra $12 so I rented a sleeping bag for my bunk at $3 a day. Also there was no kitchen access so breakfast was $12, lunch was $14 and dinner was $17. Quite a little racket they have since they have a monopoly unless you are camping. But sometimes you have to pay to see those sights which are hard to get to and in great demand. Would have camped and cooked myself if I had known what I know now but regardless, it was one of those great hiking experiences.

Map of W Circuit

CHILE, Torres del Paine

December 18, 2010

I am getting very excited about hiking for 7 days through Torres del Paine. This is the major reason I came to South America. Will be staying in very expensive Refugios (shelters but essentially a hostel), at least I think. It costs around $50 a night for a bed in an 8 bed dorm without sheets or blankets. (that is extra $12 a night) So I will be renting a sleeping bag for my bed at $3 a night. Food is also about $20 a meal at the refugios so I will carry in as much food as possible. (spaghetti, bread, ham and wine) All the necessities. lol   I have heard that the Circuit which involves camping and more days has better views but my camping skills are poor and therefore will still hope for some incredible scenery. Will not have Internet during the trekking but will be back at Esmeralda Hostel on Christmas Eve.

Arrived at hostel and found out there is no kitchen access so all of the spaghetti sauce and noodles in my backpack are useless. Have enough sandwich meat and bread for 2 days and then will start having to buy lunch ($14) and dinner ($17). A diet coke is $3 and Snickers is $4. Luckily I brought cookies and cake which I will eat for breakfast each day. Probably would have been cheaper camping but I am not the greatest outdoorsman. lol