February 9, 2015

Chris Meder called in from Refugio Grey this afternoon. All continues to go well on their trek in Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Chile. Today they made their way from Refugio Paine Grande to Refugio Grey. This hut sits just a few minutes from the shore of Grey Lake and just an hour or so from Grey Glacier – a nice little spot!

Some of yesterday’s weather stuck with the team today – mainly the wind. The headwind made the four hour trek take a little longer than usual. Sounds like this team took it in stride! This afternoon they took some time to get settled in (two nights here) and then made their way down to the lookout.

Tomorrow, if the weather cooperates they’ll take a little kakak tour up to the glacier, if it’s too windy they’ll likely head up the trail to get a better look at the Grey Glacier.

Tye Chapman

February 8, 2015

A grey but great day! (Photo by Tye Chapman)

Chris called in from Refugio Paine Grande this afternoon reporting some wet conditions on the trail today. It never really let loose and poured down on the team today, but it was definitely a consistent part of their time on the trail.  They still pushed on up to the lookout in the French Valley.

After the weather and the good times they’ve been having it didn’t bother the team one bit. They’re still all smiles, likely having a Pisco Sour up in the bar at the hut. Yes there’s a small bar at Paine Grande. We shouldn’t feel too sorry for these guys after all!

Tomorrow they’ll make their way up to Refugio Grey and if the weather holds they’ll be able to jump in some kayaks for a 3-hour tour up near the toe of Grey Glacier.

Tye Chapman

February 7, 2015

The Bader Valley. (Photo by Tye Chapman)

Another great day in Patagonia! IMG Guide Chris Meder reports that the team battled the wind and still had a heck of a day up in the Bader Valley this afternoon. It was an out and back day so they went up and found a nice spot to have lunch. After lunch they opted to get out of the wind and head back down to the refugio to rest up for tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a big day. They will  make their way from Los Cuernos over to Refugio Paine Grande, which sits on Lake Pehoe. The highlight of their day tomorrow is the French Valley, yet another postcard moment in the park.

Tye Chapman

February 6, 2015

Los Cuernos Panorama. (Photo by Tye Chapman)

Chris called in again with yet another great report from Patagonia. Today was a relatively easy day. After breakfast (coffee, scrambled eggs, toast and oatmeal) it was a gentle downhill to Lake Nordenskjold and then along the lake for a couple hours to Los Cuernos (The Horns). Refugio Los Cuernos sits lakeside and on nice days the rocky beach is a wonderful place to hang out and soak in the sun…on not so nice days it can get pretty rough. While the weather today was pretty nice, it was quite windy, especially along the lake – I’m sure they’ll head down to the beach at some point but I don’t think a nap or a swim are in order.

Tomorrow is an out-and-back day up into the Bader Valley. Like the Silence Valley, a special permit is required, which means they’ll likely have the valley to themselves. Once they’ve had enough it’s back to Refugio Los Cuernos for a Coke, cold beer or glass of wine. Not a bad day at all!

Tye Chapman

February 5, 2015

A panorama of the Silence Valley with La Fortaleza in the middle-left and El Escudo in the middle-right. (Tye Chapman)

Chris Meder called in again from Refugio Chileno in Torres del Paine National Park with another great report!  The team enjoyed some nice weather as they trekked up into the Silence Valley today. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, the Silence Valley requires special permits so it’s quite common to not see anybody on the trail, but today they bumped into three climbers who were coming off a climb of one of the towers.  Turns out they were friends of Roberto, our local guide who is keeping the team on track. Small world!

Today was an out and back day so no heavy packs – they just went as far as they wanted, taking in the views of La Fortaleza (The Fortress) and El Escudo (The Shield).  Once they’d had their fill, they turned around and made their way back to the hut for dinner. On the menu tonight: Bean Soup, Chicken & Pasta & some fruit cocktail.

Tomorrow is a relatively easy day as they make their way along Lake Nordenskjold over to the base of Los Cuernos (The Horns).

Tye Chapman

February 4, 2015

Chris Meder called in from Refugio Chileno this afternoon reporting that all is well in Torres del Paine National Park. The team left the hotel on schedule this morning and after a couple photo stops on the drive, they were officially on the trail at around noon. Keep in mind they’re +5hrs from us here on the west coast.

The weather started off cloudy but as luck would have it the sun busted through as they made their approach up to the towers. I didn’t get all the details from Chris but he did say that the team is doing great and everybody is having a blast – good enough for me!

Tomorrow, they’ll put the daypacks on and head up into the Silence Valley. The Silence Valley is a pretty special part of the park and requires a special permit to enter, which means they’ll likely be the only trekkers up there tomorrow. After the better part of the day up in the valley they’ll make their way back down to Refugio Chileno for one more night.

Tye Chapman

February 3, 2015

Chris Meder texted (isn’t technology great) in a report from Puerto Natales, Chile this afternoon. No big surprise, the team had a great day! Step one was team introductions. Step two was a quick tour around Punta Arenas with a couple important stops along the way – the money exchange and the grocery store for some snacks for the drive! After the morning stroll it was into the van and onto the Penguin Rookery. “There were lots of juvenile penguins making a heck of a lot of noise. A few groups waddled by for some close-ups. Love those little guys” Chris said. From there it was onto Puerto Natales for some shopping. Yes Shopping.

Due to the storms back east Debra’s duffel didn’t make it to Natales, but between the extra gear amongst the group, and the local gear shops, they were able to piece it together for Debra. To quote Chris – “We’re shopping like we’re on a reality TV show here”.  It’s a bummer not to have your own gear, but not the end of the world either!

After the shopping spree it was onto dinner then back to the hotel to pack up to be ready to go in the morning. Tomorrow they start their trek. Day one takes them to Los Torres, the first postcard moment in the park.

Tye Chapman