italdesign
Level 2 Member
Imagine a land at the edge of the world where you drink from unspoiled mountain streams. Guanacos roam freely on the plain, and pumas reveal themselves to the keen eye. Glaciers extend for hundreds of miles to form the 3rd largest icefield in the world. The weather can go from freezing with snow to warm and sunny in minutes, and 70 MPH winds are common. This is wilderness. This is Torres del Paine National Park, crown jewel of Chilean Southern Patagonia, 2 hours of bus ride from the nearest town (which then is 3 hours from the nearest airport).
It's possible to enjoy this beauty in luxury, but most able hikers trek the W, O, or Q - parts of the main trail shaped like the corresponding letter. To do any of the aforementioned one-way hikes means either camping or staying in refugios (dorm/hostel), carrying all your belongings the whole time, and always prepared for the erratic weather. In other words, not my usual recipe of comfy king bed and oversized bathtub in a suite. This is backpacking. I had no experience in backpacking, but I knew how to research.
I hiked the W, the easiest of the 3, which takes 4-6 days. The O and Q are significantly longer and expose more wilderness best left to experienced backpackers. I stayed in refugio each day, eating dinner there. I brought enough food for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Most people were in bed by 9pm, exhausted from the day's hike. If you weren't on the trail by 8am next morning, you found yourself one of the last to arrive at the next refugio, potentially missing the 5pm deadline for dinner reservation (not applicable if you prepaid). As a matter of practicality, you will find no lock on your room door. No need for protection where there is no threat.
No words can do justice to the awesome scenery, which, as you hike, ranges from massive glaciers and turquoise lakes to rolling hills and snow-capped peaks to lush forests. The erratic weather brings a different perspective to the sights every day, and whatever appears before you, take pleasure in it because it was a unique combination of natural conditions that made it possible. You are hiking up a rugged hill and suddenly the path turns into--not next to, into--a stream surrounded by lush greenery. It's snowing where you are, but in the distance you can see a blue sky piercing through the thick clouds, revealing the brilliant turqouise of that gorgeous lake. It's the perfect moment. And I think, it's why we explore the world.
I would like to thank @KennyBSAT, without whom this great beauty would not have been on my radar. It was one of my most fulfilling trips ever. The trek was challenging, while the natural beauty was raw and more than a feast for the eye. Also, here I interacted with random travelers more than my last 30 trips combined, an experience I enjoyed immensely. I expect that I will have more trips of this kind going forward.
Please enjoy the forthcoming trip report. Here are a few of my photos to pique your interest.
(click on each image for full size)
It's possible to enjoy this beauty in luxury, but most able hikers trek the W, O, or Q - parts of the main trail shaped like the corresponding letter. To do any of the aforementioned one-way hikes means either camping or staying in refugios (dorm/hostel), carrying all your belongings the whole time, and always prepared for the erratic weather. In other words, not my usual recipe of comfy king bed and oversized bathtub in a suite. This is backpacking. I had no experience in backpacking, but I knew how to research.
I hiked the W, the easiest of the 3, which takes 4-6 days. The O and Q are significantly longer and expose more wilderness best left to experienced backpackers. I stayed in refugio each day, eating dinner there. I brought enough food for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Most people were in bed by 9pm, exhausted from the day's hike. If you weren't on the trail by 8am next morning, you found yourself one of the last to arrive at the next refugio, potentially missing the 5pm deadline for dinner reservation (not applicable if you prepaid). As a matter of practicality, you will find no lock on your room door. No need for protection where there is no threat.
No words can do justice to the awesome scenery, which, as you hike, ranges from massive glaciers and turquoise lakes to rolling hills and snow-capped peaks to lush forests. The erratic weather brings a different perspective to the sights every day, and whatever appears before you, take pleasure in it because it was a unique combination of natural conditions that made it possible. You are hiking up a rugged hill and suddenly the path turns into--not next to, into--a stream surrounded by lush greenery. It's snowing where you are, but in the distance you can see a blue sky piercing through the thick clouds, revealing the brilliant turqouise of that gorgeous lake. It's the perfect moment. And I think, it's why we explore the world.
I would like to thank @KennyBSAT, without whom this great beauty would not have been on my radar. It was one of my most fulfilling trips ever. The trek was challenging, while the natural beauty was raw and more than a feast for the eye. Also, here I interacted with random travelers more than my last 30 trips combined, an experience I enjoyed immensely. I expect that I will have more trips of this kind going forward.
Please enjoy the forthcoming trip report. Here are a few of my photos to pique your interest.
(click on each image for full size)
