Torres Del Paine National Park Chile

So we have made it back from one of the most beautiful National parks on Earth. We had an epic adventure to say the least. We are now at one of our favorite Hostels, Casa Lucy, in Puerto Natales. We are once again warm and cozy and looking forward to being in El Chalten, in Argentina for Navidad. We hiked a total of about 51 kilometers, which is about 30 miles. We started the first day going to Campamento Las Guardas which was next to Glacier Grey. The hike took about four hours and it was probably the hardest at the end of the hike, non-stop uphill. We were literally almost blown away by the wind. Patagonia=windy!!! We had to hike up this mountian and at the top the winds were about 60-80 mph, it was insane. The rain hurt so bad when it hit you at that speed and it almost knocked us over a couple of times. Our camp was by the glacier and of course it started to rain as soon as we got to camp. But we set up and had a good pasta dinner. We camped with a couple from Australia and England. The funny thing was his cousin started the Banana in Pajama´s T.V. show, if anyone remembers that. Also before we left to the park we met a couple at Casa Lucy who were going to do a shorter trek than us. He was born in Punta Arenas, Chile (a town south even of Pureto Natales) and she was from New Jersey. We entered the park with them (Danielo and Stephanie) and he gave us some intersting tips. He showed us the Calafate berries (like blueberries) that grow in the park- very good. The town of El Calafate in Argentina where we stayed is named after them, also a pretty good beer has them in it. He also showed us a section of the Torres del Paine National park that is owned by his distant family. We asked for a discount or some free room and board, but even he has been excluded from the discounts :) It was cool to meet a local who had hiked in the park a couple of times and knew some intersting history. Plus his family gets paid annually from the park because they own some of the best land, score! Anyways the next day we hiked a total of 16 miles and it was no easy task. We hiked all the way from the glacier to Campamento Italiano at the base of the Torres. The hike was epic to say the least and we were dead by the time we got there. We got to see a lot of the park this day and probably the best views of the trip. We were so excited to be at camp that we ate and then passed out for 12 hours on the dirt- our backs hurt in the morning. So day three was probably the hardest. I bitched and moaned (ask Amber about it, Cuz would be saying I was cuzin´ extra extra hard) because it was constantly raining. I mean we hiked 10 miles in the cold rain and were wet the entire time. I like rain but when you are wet for four hours it becomes a little hard. We had planned to stay at a closer refugio but we decided to mish to Refugio Las Torres for our last night to be close to Torres Del Paine. A refugio is a place where they have bunks where you can sleep so you dont have to stay in the rain and you can be dry and warm. Plus you can buy a warm meal and booze. Lets just say that this was probably the best Amber and I have felt this entire trip. Can you imagine after a day of hiking with wet clothes while it continues to rain on you how good a bottle of wine and a warm authentic Chilean meal would be?!?!? We were in heaven. We met some guys from San Diego at the refugio (Matt and Steve) and spent the evening chatting and drinking beers with them by the warm fire. So because of the rain and our tired bodies we decided to go home the next day. We had seen most of the W trail and wanted to have time here in Puerto Natales to get ready for the next chapter of the trip North. Plus our bodies felt like we had been beaten with a stick for twelve hours. This trek was amazing and Torres Del Paine is a beautiful place. I know we have been saying this a lot but the pictures do not do it justice. The park is huge and I know I will be back here someday with my own family. It was an epic adventure and it was great to see it all with Amber. We talked about it and one of the best things about backpacking is that is puts everything into perspective in life. Not only do you have to provide your own shelter, food, warmth, and self motivation, but you have to pack it all on your back and use your own energy to get through each day and to each place. In our modern world (or the middle class of the USA) we are so use to cars, planes, trains, grocery stores, a roof over our head, a heater or fireplace and the ease of our lives that we forget how hard ot can be if none of that was there. This trip allowed us to struggle and fight to make it to the next camping spot and understand that even with all the hard work we have all we really need in life. Simplistic = true happiness. This whole trip to South America has provided us with a new perspective and a new greatfulness for all that the both of us have in life. We want to be able to bring that to others in the future somehow. We love Patagonia and are glad we get to be here for a couple of weeks. Please send us a comment or an email, we miss you all. This is only a taste of the trip and we can´t wait to tell you more of the details. Also to all the people that we love (dads, moms, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, COUSINS, friends from childhood, friends from high school, friends from college, grandparents and every other friend/family member and person we have met in life) you help us get through each day in some little way that you can´t even imagine. You really are here with us and we are greatful to have the memories that we do with you. Happy winter or summer solstice (depending on which side of the equator you are on)! Feliz Navidad. We will try to be in touch with the family in the next couple of days. Salud and Peace over the holidays!