W Circuit - Torres del Paine
For how long haven't you stay without connecting on internet for 4 days? Without connecting with people on Instagram or WhatsApp, just those around you?
When I came to Puerto Natales I thought about going to Torres del Paine, but not doing the W Circuit.
It was 80km in 4 days.
Passing through the most incredible landscapes I've ever seen (coming here in autumn really worth it).
Each day have a completely different view!
Camping in the cold of 0°C.
My feet almost freeze after getting out of a hot shower.
Coming back dragging practically on the last day with pain in the feet and back.
Challenging myself to shoot at the hour that isn't the best, but it's the time that I was there.
And the anxiety of not knowing if you are managing to capture what you are seeing in front of you.
This is a little review of what I experienced on this trekking…
W Circuit - Day 1
A little resume of the first day of trekking of the w circuit.
We took the bus at Puerto Natales to Laguna Amarga at 7am (here the sunrise happens only at 9am).
Arrived at the park, set up camp at Central Campsite and left to “Base Torres” at 11am.
The first day was around 20km in 7 hours walking (at least we didn’t have our backpacks).
We passed through "Pase de los Vientos", "Refugio Chileno" until arrive in the last part just before base del Torres, which is pretty intense. Just walking on rocks with a lot of cold wind.
But the view of Torres del Paine is amazing, and the visibility was really good.
Back to camp around 7pm, just took a hot shower to compensate the cold of almost 0 degrees and cook some "ravioli" (not good!).
W Circuit - Day 2
Starting the day 2 with a small mug of counted instant coffee!
Even here I’m used to get up early, so I went to a walk to photograph and enjoy that the sky was clear and the light starting to get better.
After everybody had breakfast, we pack all our stuffs and start the second day of trekking to French Camp Base.
16km carrying the backpack that we made in 6h (that looked much more!).
This path was the most beautiful. Looks like you are on enchanted valley from some Disney animation.
Lakes that look like a mirror reflecting the landscape. Huge stone wall. Mountains with snow. A lot of different colors of the trees. Condors flying near you…
Around 6pm we finally arrived the camp.
So, time to set up camp again, take the worst shower of my life and prepare one more ravioli!
W circuit - day 3
After saw one of the most beautiful stary sky, we needed to wake up early to do the third day of trekking.
More 20km in 8h walking, a lot of them with the backpack.
Walked 1km from French to Italian campsite where we left our backpacks (and prayed for that everything was there when we came back!).
After we went to the French valley. Wasn`t so hard like other days, but mainly a way up.
On French viewpoint you stay in front on a snowed mountain where from time to time you heard like a strong thunder, was some avalanches.
Also started to fall a fine snow when we were there!
Kept hiking up untill arrive at the British Viewpoint.
Stayed there freezing and eating some snacks and went back to Italian campsite.
Picked our backpacks and walked more 8km until Paine Grande, our last camping place!
At least on this day we had a decent meal!
W Circuit - Day 4
Finally last day of trekking.
Leaving early from Paine Grande to Grey campsite, and going until Glaciar Grey viewpoint. Then come back to Paine Grande to take the ferry to Pudeto.
Last 20km. The longest one!
Knowing that needed to walk this distance with destroyed toes and a lot of back pain (next time I will definitely prepare better).
Because of the ferry schedule, we need to go early for the trekking. Unfortunately wasn’t able to go until the suspended bridges (would be necessary more 2h). Next time, when I do the O Circuit, I will pass there.
Around 4pm, back at Paine Grande with the sense of accomplishment.
Had a beer to celebrate with @po.levy , @lola.alfonsi and @williamstart , took the ferry (more amazing views), then the bus to Puerto Natales to finally arrive almost at 22h at hour hostel @lilipatagonicos .
