December 31, 2016
A panorama of the Silence Valley featuring La Fortaleza and El Escudo. (L to R). (Tye Chapman)
Our Patagonia trekkers enjoyed a great day up in the Silence Valley. Where the trail ends, our team kept going. The trail quickly turns from a wide trail full of trekkers into a ‘choose your own adventure’ through a boulder field, followed by a narrow foot path that meanders next to a swift stream. After a quick break they turned it uphill through a dry creek bed to the treeline. Once they caught their breath they pushed above the treeline and traversed onto the lateral moraine of the Silence Glacier. From there they enjoyed views of the massive granite peaks La Fortaleza (fortress) and El Escudo (shield). After lunch they made their way back down to Refugio Chileno where they will ring in the new year. According to Chris, the cooks were grilling up something special tonight!
Tomorrow is a relatively low key day (nice timing after NYE!). Their one and only goal is to make their way to Refugio Los Cuernos, a manageable goal even with a hangover.
Let the countdown begin!
Tye Chapman