Up at 6:45am both nervous and excited, I packed my things again and had trouble fitting everything in and it was even heavier then before. By 9am I was ready and left Glorias; I walked to the mirador and the hitchhiking spot which unfortunately had Roadworks going on. I put my thumb out anyway and about the 4th truck stopped - I had to chuck my big pack in the back ontop of his load which made me a little nervous but such is life. My driver was a Crazy Chilean guy I couldn't understand; I tried to converse with him but struggled, I was so tired I kept falling asleep - waking up only when we were right near the entrance of Torres Del Paine park. After stopping and paying my entrance fee I worked out I was at the wrong entrance and I would have to walk to other entrance of which I was told was just 1.5 hours walk away. I started to walk and felt ok, kept re-adjusting my pack and in no time was sweating like a pig. I stumbled across this detour which lead me to some amazing cave art draws - a welcome suprise. I decided to stop for some hot tea a bonus of carrying a thermos and after this got a bit lost.
I eventually found the path again and in the end it took me much longer then 1.5 hours and on arrival was already very tired. The Administration office directed me where to go and where to turn so following their directions I set off again.
The wind was incredible and like nothing I had ever experienced before; with the power to knock a full grown man to the ground. I had a glorious view of the three towers and almost their tips (very rare). For lunch i stopped for some hot corn soup and corn chips (love hiking food). After some more walking i had very soar feeling feet with hot spots and blisters. I met an American guy coming from the other direction and he told me "I just need to power-up Buddy" hilarious and this became my motto for the hike. The wind got worse and it became very slow going as bag felt heavier and shoulders started to cripple under the weight. In the end i saw a sign saying 1.5km more and after walking another hour i swore I had gone passed my first camp spot; camping Seron. 1.5km turned into 5km and it was a feeling of elation to finally arrive at around 7pm.
I set my tent up and the dam thing nearly blew away twice with the gmail force winds. I tried to work out living space in the tent - all I can say there isn't much space. The campsite had wonderful hot showers which gave me a welcome treat. I then went to designated cooking area with my new camp stove and gas bottle and after 20 long minutes was able to boil water - some guys gave me a windbreaker telling me it was the wind affecting the burn time. I cooked up some tuna and mushrooms with some instant potato and pea mash - it was tasty but I was still very hungry. The site was absolutely swarming with Mosquitos and within minutes I was eaten alive.
Before hopping into my new sleeping bag I did some recommended star-jumps outside of my tent to warm-up. I then had a late night hot chocolate and some peanut butter to fuel the furnace (another recommendation to keep me warm). Today was hard but fulfilling and i was very lucky to see so many birds, rabbits, lamas and other types of wildlife.