Hola, hola, hola!!

Annie and I arrived safely in Punta Arenas on April 26, 2012. We had planned to travel 50 miles south of the city to visit Cabo Froward. This is the most southern part of the continent. However, after talking with two travel agencies we realized this would not be possible because you have to have a guide and during fall it is nearly impassable due to the level of the rivers. Thus, we asked the agents if there was anything else 'interesting' to see around the area. They replied with a large smile and a simple "no". In other words, if you are ever in this region, skip Punta Arenas at all costs.

We left a little discouraged, but still had high hopes for the start of our adventure. We bought our bus tickets for the first bus the following morning and headed to the grocery store to buy some provisions. Next stop, Puerto Natales, the gateway to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. I told Annie the park translates directly to The Towers of Pain, but I will get to that later.

We arrived safely at 10 in the morning after driving through a sheep load of sheep. Holy wool batman. In Puerto Natales there was abundant sunshine, cold crisp air, and an 'easy button'. Outside the bus terminal there was a lady handing out flyers for her hostel. Now, in Chile their Spanish sounds like ^%%((*&*^&%^%$$())()(UFHVPRF^#*HF...Bueno....(&(^%*&&^&(&*(& entonces.... It sounds like someone took a tape player and hit fast forward while the play button was still down. However, who we now know as Gladyce slowed it down for the ol' gringos. The room price was right and she arranged all of our transportation for our trip to the national park.

We left the following morning for a five day backpacking trip on what is otherwise known as the W. Day 1 consisted of an easy 4 mile hike to the trailhead followed by a straight, uphill climb to Los Torres campground. It took us about 5 hours to arrive at the camp. Back to the Towers of Pain...we bought new boots before the trip, but failed to fully break them in before the start of our adventure. Therefore, we both developed some blisters that would remind us of the need to break boots in before embarking on a backpacking trip.

The next morning we left our packs at camp and started the walk to the base of the towers which is 1 hour each way. Most people who visit the park aren't able to see the towers due to clouds, but we couldn't have asked for better weather. After some pictures and a short rest, we headed back to pack up camp.

While packing up we started noticing holes in some of our food bags. After further investigation, we realized we had ourselves a little problem...RATONES. Had to hang the food for the rest of the trip. This was just a small hiccup that was easily forgotten about because of the beautiful scenery. We were surrounded by blue skies, parakeets, and a landscape that can't be put into words. We spent the rest of the day hiking 10 to 12 miles to the next camp.

The park is unique because you see the same peaks, but they always seem to look different depending on your location. Day 3, we hiked to the French Valley where we saw more beautiful mountains and watched snow caps break free and create avalanches. After a much deserved dinner, we retired early to prepare our bodies for the next day. Annie was also fighting off a flu.

Day 4, we packed up camp and hit the trail by 8 o'clock. Our plan was to hike 11 miles to the final camp before the bus pickup which would arrive the following day. Our plan changed about an hour into the hike because there was a glacier I just had to see and I knew if I didn't, I would always regret it. Annie and I traded some gear so she could continue to the camp and set up the tent while I hiked to the glacier. This little detour meant that I would have to hike 20 miles before meeting up with Annie again.

Annie and I parted ways and I watched her head over the hill towards camp. Shortly after gathering some provisions for my hike, I began directly into a 30 to 40 mile an hour head wind up through the wind whipped canyon. I hiked for about an hour at an extremely fast clip and arrived at the first lookout. The scene was jaw dropping, a massive turquoise lake with icebergs floating everywhere from the advancing glacier which I could not yet see. Another 20 minutes would lead me to the final lookout. The glacier was nothing short of spectacular. Bright blue ice as far as the eye could see, split at the terminus by a small island. I had to take it all in and capture some photos to share with Annie. What and amazing trip.

We successfully completed the trek and arrived safely back to our hostel in Puerto Natales. We are nursing the wounds on our feet, but loving life. We will leave tomorrow morning, May 3, for Argentina. Thank you so much for following and sharing in our adventure. We will post more pictures when we have a faster computer. Until next time....