The trip starts in Puerto Natales in the south of Chile
Orange is the W trek, we did yellow plus orange for the Circuit, green dots are each night's campsite
The trekking crew, 2 guides in yellow coats. I was 3rd oldest. Youngest was 35, 2nd youngest was 56
Summer weather in Patagonia can still be cold and windy, and was on the 1st day. Later in the trip I lost my glasses to the wind
The first towers. Because of conditions we weren't able to get all the way to the lookout. Paine (Pah-ee-nay) means blue
This was a hut-to-hut trek, meaning we didn't have to carry tents, sleeping bags, or food. Most Refugios had dorm-style rooms
Encouraging as far as it goes, but the food was the worst part of the trip. The same practically every day, borderline high school cafeteria
Typical breakfast, supplemented by avocados from the guides. The guides also provided coffee, thanks!
Each day's hike took us to a new Refugio, and the days alternated between hard and less-hard
Hiking down toward the second night's Seron refugio
Flowers as far as the eye can see!
No pumas to be seen. I would not have chased one in any case. Very little wildlife other than birds
For night 2 we had to sleep in tents, but they were pretty comfy
Each bathroom has a bin where you throw your used toilet paper. I hadn't seen that before.
The rounded bushes are Mother-In-Law Cushions, they look soft but are totally spiny
Yay, saw the Southern Cross! Days were long at Patagonia latitude, it didn't get dark until after 10:00
Morning sky over the Dickson refugio. Tents again, but this time on the ground. Still OK
Into the forest for day 4
Cold and windy by a glacier-fed lake
Day 5's hike was the hardest, over John Garner Pass. The "trail" is marked by the orange poles
Hikers died here in November during a freak spring blizzard. It would be so easy to lose the trail
From the top of the pass we could see the Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonia Icefield. So cool
The pass descent was muddy and slippery. One of our crew slipped and fell and gashed his forehead on a branch, you can see his dressing here
The glacier was the highlight of the trip for me
Cool suspension bridges high over gullies. This was a long hiking day!
As a pescatarian I occasionally scored a different meal
This is a caracara, and smart bird of prey, hanging out by the refuigio
We took a rest day on day 6, and I took a guided glacier hike excursion
We were supplied with helmets, crampons, harness, and ice ax. It was great tromping along the glacier
Ice climbing!
This is a small bay that captures icebergs. I like this picture because of the different looks of the ice
The somewhat-reduced crew-- our injured friend had to be evacuated (by ferry) to see the doctor in Puerto Natales
Weather got nice towards Day 7
Day 7, hiking up the French Valley to a viewpoint of hanging glaciers and waterfalls
Windy but warmer, it was great just to lie back and watch for avalanches
Los Cuernos, The Horns
Heading out and back to civilization