Enjoying 60km/hr winds on the way into Cerro Castillo, much more than us!!
14-15/1/2013 Puerto Natales and Torres Del Paine NP
All weather, from warm to sleet and always wind.
Following the briefing at Erratic Rock, we decided to go to the park and spend a night camping below Torres Del Paine and walk up for sunrise the next morning.
We hired a backpack from Erratic Rock and a lone pole for me to use. It never left the backpack. My knees maybe shot but in my mind these things are often more of a hindrance than a help. Looking at the number of people using these many would disagree.
As I mentioned in an entry earlier somewhere, it is a good way to practise how to be old!!
The Wednesday morning we were to be there was hopefully going to be clear morning according to the forecasters.
At 0750 we took a bus to the park entrance and from there took a shuttle within the park to begin the walk to the free camp area an hour below the attraction.
The backpack was not big enough, even though it was 80L. We had to ditch Cals air mat.
Due to my knee problem. Cal kindly played role of porter for me there and back. My load consisted of a day pack with snacks and jumpers.
The walk up was easy, on a human highway, hikers were everywhere. Many do the W walk, which is a few days.
We stopped at the Chileno campsite and brewed up tea and had bread.
Once at the base camp we set up under trees in the cold. It was quite a sight with tents all through the trees on the dirt floor due to constant human traffic.
Once set up at 1600, we got into our bags to avoid the wet cold outdoors. Here we read, ate and finally fell asleep at 2100.
It was a waiting game.
Callum slept on the backpack and any spare clothing we had.
At 0430, the alarm went off. We arose and pretty much put our clothes and shoes on and began walking. Cal had five eighths to put on as he slept in his raincoat!
The walk took about 45 minutes using our headlights.
We were not alone.
Once in the natural rock strewn arena, below the silhouettes of the 3 huge rock protrusions, we waited for the sun to reveal their majesty.
It was a case of finding a rock to live behind whilst we waited. The wind chill was taking at least 5° off the comfort to be had.
The wind as usual from the west was carrying with it low cloud. The bases of the clouds seemed to be enjoying the scenic ride across the perimeter of the amphitheatre. They would lose formation and just tumble down for a closer look as as they drifted by.
Many were embracing the summits of the three spires as they moved past. Before the sun smeared the upper portions of the mesmerizing sculptures, the scene had a grey eeriness followed by a warm pink hue.
This kept changed towards the yellow end of the spectrum until the sun had its turn to put a spell on us.
Firstly, the clouds relayed the coming light then the upper portions of the spires took on this magical orange.
During this event, we were getting colder and colder. Using my camera became very difficult.
Though, now I have glued a small piece of plastic onto the menu wheel. It can now be toggled without taking off my gloves. The Canon, I have has a wheel that if pushed as you turn it sets the flash or focus options.
It was such an annoyance taking photos whilst riding with gloves.
This little addition again proved invaluable up here in this cold.
With the small lake below and in the foreground below the 3 spires, and the rock wall on its far shore that takes one up to a patchy snow clad rock face to the base of peaks now illuminated in oranges and yellows, it truly was one of the visual highlights of this South American journey for me.
I walked down to the lake across the huge and not so huge rocks strewn all over the natural auditorium.
Down at the frigid waters of the little body of water, I felt compelled to drink from its enticing waters.
An effort it was, though I felt I could not leave this scene without taking a little of it with me. For me this will symbolically remain within me. If only as to cement this memory of this special morning
The waters were sweet, its coldness could be felt below my mouth, as it flowed parallel to the ground into my stomach.
We were privileged to witness the day begin with clarity up here. Often the spectacle takes on no more than a misty appearance in the morning.
It was snowing and sleeting as we left.
It was a rapid descent to the relative warm of the sheltered campsite.
We packed up and wandered down.
My knees are so unstable and sore whilst descending. Every step taken is calculated.
We arrived back at Puerto Natales about 1630, two happy worn out guys. The hostal had stored our gear for us.
Incidentily, a record of another kind was broken during the park visit. At the resort hotel we had a coffee.
A cappuccino in glass, was $8.60 Australian. It was a refuge from the cold, on our return Cal had a hot chocolate. I fell asleep in a huge lounge chair. It was value for money in that respect.
Thanks to Callum carrying the pack, I awoke none the worse for wear.
All weather, from warm to sleet and always wind.
Following the briefing at Erratic Rock, we decided to go to the park and spend a night camping below Torres Del Paine and walk up for sunrise the next morning.
We hired a backpack from Erratic Rock and a lone pole for me to use. It never left the backpack. My knees maybe shot but in my mind these things are often more of a hindrance than a help. Looking at the number of people using these many would disagree.
As I mentioned in an entry earlier somewhere, it is a good way to practise how to be old!!
The Wednesday morning we were to be there was hopefully going to be clear morning according to the forecasters.
At 0750 we took a bus to the park entrance and from there took a shuttle within the park to begin the walk to the free camp area an hour below the attraction.
The backpack was not big enough, even though it was 80L. We had to ditch Cals air mat.
Due to my knee problem. Cal kindly played role of porter for me there and back. My load consisted of a day pack with snacks and jumpers.
The walk up was easy, on a human highway, hikers were everywhere. Many do the W walk, which is a few days.
We stopped at the Chileno campsite and brewed up tea and had bread.
Once at the base camp we set up under trees in the cold. It was quite a sight with tents all through the trees on the dirt floor due to constant human traffic.
Once set up at 1600, we got into our bags to avoid the wet cold outdoors. Here we read, ate and finally fell asleep at 2100.
It was a waiting game.
Callum slept on the backpack and any spare clothing we had.
At 0430, the alarm went off. We arose and pretty much put our clothes and shoes on and began walking. Cal had five eighths to put on as he slept in his raincoat!
The walk took about 45 minutes using our headlights.
We were not alone.
Once in the natural rock strewn arena, below the silhouettes of the 3 huge rock protrusions, we waited for the sun to reveal their majesty.
It was a case of finding a rock to live behind whilst we waited. The wind chill was taking at least 5° off the comfort to be had.
The wind as usual from the west was carrying with it low cloud. The bases of the clouds seemed to be enjoying the scenic ride across the perimeter of the amphitheatre. They would lose formation and just tumble down for a closer look as as they drifted by.
Many were embracing the summits of the three spires as they moved past. Before the sun smeared the upper portions of the mesmerizing sculptures, the scene had a grey eeriness followed by a warm pink hue.
This kept changed towards the yellow end of the spectrum until the sun had its turn to put a spell on us.
Firstly, the clouds relayed the coming light then the upper portions of the spires took on this magical orange.
During this event, we were getting colder and colder. Using my camera became very difficult.
Though, now I have glued a small piece of plastic onto the menu wheel. It can now be toggled without taking off my gloves. The Canon, I have has a wheel that if pushed as you turn it sets the flash or focus options.
It was such an annoyance taking photos whilst riding with gloves.
This little addition again proved invaluable up here in this cold.
With the small lake below and in the foreground below the 3 spires, and the rock wall on its far shore that takes one up to a patchy snow clad rock face to the base of peaks now illuminated in oranges and yellows, it truly was one of the visual highlights of this South American journey for me.
I walked down to the lake across the huge and not so huge rocks strewn all over the natural auditorium.
Down at the frigid waters of the little body of water, I felt compelled to drink from its enticing waters.
An effort it was, though I felt I could not leave this scene without taking a little of it with me. For me this will symbolically remain within me. If only as to cement this memory of this special morning
The waters were sweet, its coldness could be felt below my mouth, as it flowed parallel to the ground into my stomach.
We were privileged to witness the day begin with clarity up here. Often the spectacle takes on no more than a misty appearance in the morning.
It was snowing and sleeting as we left.
It was a rapid descent to the relative warm of the sheltered campsite.
We packed up and wandered down.
My knees are so unstable and sore whilst descending. Every step taken is calculated.
We arrived back at Puerto Natales about 1630, two happy worn out guys. The hostal had stored our gear for us.
Incidentily, a record of another kind was broken during the park visit. At the resort hotel we had a coffee.
A cappuccino in glass, was $8.60 Australian. It was a refuge from the cold, on our return Cal had a hot chocolate. I fell asleep in a huge lounge chair. It was value for money in that respect.
Thanks to Callum carrying the pack, I awoke none the worse for wear.
Torres Del Paine, 0530 hrs, refreshingly freezing and sleeting. Before sunrise.
A little later, we were so lucky to get a clear morning. The sun getting closer.
Surreal!! No doubts about that. Smeared with the first rays of sun
A "parting shot" and a sip from the lagunita. It was so cold we had to descend back to camp and out of the wind.
One from Callums camera
