Mar 30, 2012 - Torres del Paine

Left the lovely El Chaletn at the ungodly hour of 6am as we had a long day with a border crossing - not as bad as it could have been we cleaned out all of our fresh food at our lunch stop and only had a packet of dry pasta and some nuts confiscated - guess they were hungry. Stopped in Puerto Natales for our cook groups to shop and for us to have a look around - bought a walking stick a hat and some socks. Arrived at our camp site about 8pm to discover the best camp toilet block ever - clean as much hot water as wanted even hot water in the...

Jan 3, 2011 - Navimag Ferry to Puerto Montt

Today we board the ferry in the afternoon and have a FREE overnite. The ferry departs tomor. at 6 am. Later...boarded ferry about 10pm after shopping for snacks (esp fruit) which we find out later was unnecessary, plenty of food + fruit included with meals on board. Cabins are very COMPACT, glad we have one tho, and esp. w/ window! Next am...we hear them announcing lvg and about 6am I get up and out by 7:15. In white narrows I see 2 Austral dolphins, flock of turns, and duck w/ 6-8 chicks swimming along the rocks in the narrowest part of...

Jan 2, 2011 - Torres del Paine Natl Park Day Trip

Breakfast at 6:30 and away on the tour at 7:30, Bon and I...Jake rented a bike to cycle around the area and Mari?? First stop was the Mylodon cave Visit More About Cave More Here , where they found the remains of giant sloth-like beasts that lived about 10,000 yrs ago. The cave itself was formed by the action of a glacier which carved away the rock and as it melted and wave action took over some 35,000 years ago eating away the loose carbonate shell and rock material which had been left in the bottom of some ancient river bed perhaps...

Mar 22, 2010 - No Pane, just Pleasure

We arrived at Torres Del Paine under a beautiful clear sky. Apparently we were exceedingly lucky as our approach by bus, even from 60 km away, afforded perfect views of the jagged mountain peaks that Torres is famous for. The bus driver said he had never seen it so clear and again, how lucky we were. Like children who have been raised only in luxury and splendour and to know that any question that begins with “I want...” is answered by a swift smile and “of course...”, we knew no better and had no choice but to assume that despite the “four...

Feb 28, 2010 - Torres del Paine, or, How I managed to cripple myself and lose all my photos of one of the most spectacular places on earth...

Puerto Natales, apart from the port, exists pretty much solely as a staging area for people heading to Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile's most popular park and one of those places that always makes the lists of "Top 100 places to see before you croak." And with good reason- it's jam-packed with the sort of breathtaking and hauntingly spectacular vistas that would make a National Geographic photographer squeal with delight. Phrases like "lofty granite spires" and "cerulean glacial lakes" are hurled about with reckless abandon when...

Feb 16, 2010 - Torres del Paine National Park

From Puerto Natales we transferred to a small bus and continued on to just outside the park to the Cabanas del Paine. A series of cabins overlooking the park. The sky was clear and there was no wind-quite unusual! Absolutely beautiful! The Torres del Paine is a UNESCO- declared World Biosphere Reserve with a combination of craggy mountains, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls. As the weather was so exceptional we made a decision to so a series of small walks the next day to get in all the "beauty" spots in case the weather changed and do a long...

Jan 30, 2010 - Foxes Welcome - Adventures in Torres del Paine

Foxes Welcome I´m getting into the swing of hostel living. We´ve stayed in 5 hostels in 2 weeks and packing up is becoming second nature. There has been a fair amount of luggage leakage but this is bound to happen based on our trend of going out on the town the night before we move on. Unfortunately my latest loss is my waterproof jacket. This is a fairly critical item to lose half way through the Patagonian adventure, especially when viewing glaciers but Rob will elaborate on that in the next entry. We continue to meet new people every day...

Jan 20, 2010 - on the move

Today I am leaving Chile to go to my next destination in El Calafate in Argentina. The Chilean people are big hearted and generous people and I hope the Argentinians are the same. Last night I could finally see the stars through the glas ceiling of my yurt. Lovely. Patagonia camp provided the driver for my drive to the Chilean border. The border control is in the middle of wasteland and consists of a small building with two windows. One window is to get your passport stamped, the other is to record the car and driver crossing the border....

Jan 19, 2010 - Pumas and Scorpions

Today I went hiking on my own with a guide, Carolina, all day. We walked about 7 kms uphill to a viewpoint. The way was very tough and we had to do a lot of climbing but it was worth it in the end. We were so high we could see both the entrance and exits of the Lake Pehoe. It is also apparently the windiest spot in the park. I can attest to that. The guide the night before advised me that I might not be able to go to the top if it was too windy or I would be blown over the side. We could only stay for a few moments as he was correct! I...

Jan 18, 2010 - day 2- drama on the mountain!

Today I opted for the easier hike as the early one started at 7.30 and didnt finish until 7.30 p.m. I did regret it slightly though as most of the time we were being driven around the park,, with stops on the way for Photos. We stopped at a lake that had flamingos in it, quite rare now in the park. Apparently they are very shy and dont take too kindly to tourist rushing at them to take their photos. I have some pictures as we crept up fairly close and didnt scare them away. We saw the waterfall (again) and on the request of one of the group...

Jan 17, 2010 - patagonia camp

Today I got up early as I was going hiking all day. I had breakfast and met my guide, Camilla, at 9.30. There were only three of us on this hike as the others had gone for the soft option and were being driven around the park. We hiked acroos the mountains and ultimately ended up at a very nice waterfall. It was very cold and extremely windy and by the time we got to the waterfall it was pouring with rain. I thought I was going to be swept over the side of the waterfall. After about three quarters of the first hike Camilla asked me if my...

Dec 13, 2009 - Torres del Paine

awesome-just few pics -more talk later. So, now we are sitting behind the window at B&B in El Chalten and watch the weather- wind gusts up to 100km/hr, sun, rain- all at once. Torres del Paine. Day 1-7.12.2009-bus from Puerto Natales to Torres and than walk to the Refugio Chileno. Later in the afternoon we went for the walk up the valley. Day 2-blue sky, not one cloud!!!-walk up to the Torres del Paine, had a lunch there and than down to the valley, where we just walked around and slowly back to the Chileno. The staff, food and beds are...