Into Patagonia... Torres del Paine

After such an unbelievable start to this trip in Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica, it was hard to imagine that it can get any better. And I hadn't even gotten to one of the biggest reasons I chose to come to South America...Parque National Torres del Paine.

Torres is a park in the Patagonia region of Chile that is world renowned for its incredible trekking - hiking and camping.

After making final preparations in the Puerto Natales, I hopped on a bus with a backpack that contained 27 kilos (about 60 pounds) of food and camp gear (stove, tent, sleeping bag, etc) that could sustain me for 10 days out in the park. The first couple days were tough as my body adjusted from sitting on a boat eating all day to lugging my pack over mountain passes, but I eventually got into a groove and felt stronger as the days went on. And as the pack lightened with every meal I ate. Those meals generally consisted of oatmeal with dried fruit and coffee for breakfast, cheese, salami and bread for lunch and some sort of pasta for dinner. Cookies and granola bars filled in holes throughout the days and spices (salt, sugar, garlic, oregano, chili. etc) were the key to keeping things tasty.

At the first camp, I met three other solo travelers (out of 8 total people) and we informally formed a group that I ended up hanging out with for the rest of the trek. Tatiana (Australia), Benny (Paris) and Bill (Canada) all with their own unique stories proved great company over what turned out to be 7 more days in the park. We also spent a lot of time at each camp with a Belgium couple and a Swiss couple. Near the end of the trip, I even met two Anglophonic Quebeccers...who knew?
It was great to be around so many folks with a passion for the outdoors! Patagonian weather, famed for its potential ferocity and complete lack of dependability, actually treated us quite well. Aside from a few moments of crazy (40-50 mph) winds, some cold nights and a little sunrise snowstorm, mother nature allowed for a calm 8 day hike through the park. The highlights were too many to mention and the pictures, again, will surely fail to capture the beauty that was experienced, but needless to say, Torres del Paine did not disappoint.