Torres Del Paine - The Trek

The average of the trekkers here is about 28. The vast majority are carrying the full gear and going on one of the many longer treks than the one-day one we chose. There was some question as to whether Herself would make the whole thing, as the last hour is pretty brutal, but I was game to have a go and stop if it got too much.  It’s a mere 9.5k each way, but is expected to take 8 hours on average! 

We woke at 6am to 5’, grey skies, rain and a poor weather forecast, so set off saying well, never mind, we’ll enjoy the day anyway……

First treat on the drive was being held up for some time by a huge herd of very, very woolly sheep being herded by a gaucho who looked about 12 years old

Today was just us, Sandro and Francesco, who guided us up – thought to be honest, it turned out to be a well-trod path and few false trails!  Still, he knows so much about the geology and geography of the area that it was a great asset having his company.  As the drive went on, the clouds lifted and blue sky spread over, and we parked at the start in lovely sunshine at the base of the mountains.

The first section was a gradual ascent from 150m to 560m, followed by a descent to the first camp site at 300m, then a long upward amble through woodland to the final ascent over a ragged rocky moraine to the goal, Mirador del Torres,at 900m.  This last section is only 1k, but is expected to take an hour, so I feared the worst!


 

The trek is just so delightfully varied, with so much to take you attention that I really found the first 2.5 hours an absolute joy.  The rushing rivers, beautiful Lenga  (beech) trees, sheer scree slopes and pretty skies more than made up for the foot slogging.

All too soon came the tough bit, the end of the wooded section got steeper and harder and I’d seen enough wood and trees and wanted to get to the goal…. A quick pit stop, water and energy bar and we set off up the mountain, across huge boulders, rocks and pebbles of a myriad colours, shapes and sizes, formed by the glacier aeons ago…and horrible to climb.



Then ---WOW!

This was just the most spectacular sight I have ever seen on  walk, hike, or trek I’ve ever done –and Mick concurs and he’s been places I haven’t, like Mont Blanc.

A quick meteorological aside here – you’ll have noticed some strange clouds in the pix, these are Lentrical  clouds, “lens shaped” and have accounted for many UFO sightings! There are splendiferous and formed from wingd whipping off snow at altitude – the cloud over the Mirador at the top is one forming.  They are quite wonderful! 

 

All too soon, we had to start down, and it was even harder descending those wretched rocks!  But once we hit the woods again and refuelled on a bun and more water from the glacial river, it was a very pleasant, if looooong, walk back to the car

Then on home, farewell to those beautiful mountains, and a final fly-past from a passing condor….