We went for a walk

Friday 3 February 2012

We went for a walk today. Looking at the map we’ve roughly worked out the walks we want to do for the three full days we have here. So after bumping down the gravel road at 50km/hr we got to our walks from Lago Grey (Lake Grey). The first one was a short and easy one down on the ‘beach’ and then around a small island. The ‘beach’ is lots of small rocks that have been worn down by the glacier and then travelled to the other end of the lake and ended up there. It is all nice and soft so the calves got a good work out. This is also the point the ferry goes from that takes you right up to the Glacier Grey. We’ve done enough boat trips at the moment so we decided to give it a miss, also couldn’t stand to be around that many people. The walk across the beach to the little island was nice.

There was a mirador (lookout) that gave you a great view up the length of Lago Grey to Glacier Grey.

Also there were two really big and blue icebergs close by. It is strange seeing icebergs surrounded by trees, rocks and hills. You also get an awesome view of the main hills of Torres del Paine (TdP).

The second walk was up the hill on the other side to Mirador Ferrier. This is about 700m vertical climb over 2km and estimated at 1hr. However the last part of it looked like it went straight up the side of the hill according to the topography map. And it was correct, nice flat bit to start with, then straight up the side. The views as we went up were stunning, you look back over Lago Grey, Glacier Grey and the main peaks of TdP. We started out in sun so put on our sunhats, then it started raining about half way up and then there was a very light snow shower, the sun came out briefly and then a bit more rain. It was windy all the time with lots of strong gusts. You then get to a spot about 600m above sea level and there are a lot of tall trees and lush green undergrowth. Very surprising, but pretty, you also expect a pixie or hobbit to leap out from behind a tree.

I got sick of walking straight up the side of the hill, particularly when it started raining. But The Albatross kept saying the top must not be far away. Eventually this was true.

The view from the lookout was awesome! You see all the peaks, the three big lakes, Lago Grey, Lago Pehoe and Lago del Torro. They are at all different heights and are all a different colour. Lago Grey is quite slate grey in colour, this is due there being a ruddy great glacier on it which chucks sediment (along with icebergs) into the lake. Lago del Torro is a beautiful rich blue as it doesn’t have a glacier.

 The wind! I have never experienced wind so strong. For the top of the lookout, yes there are spectacular views, but there are also 100 knot winds (that’s what it felt like). You have to be careful and not go too close to the edge as you were in danger of getting blown over.

We found a tiny bit of shelter on the lee side of a rock and checked out the awesome views.

Wait 5 minutes and the clouds comes in or disappear. Heading down from the lookout was an effort. As soon as you stand up, you feel like you are going to be blown over. Walking away from the lookout was walking into the wind. In the space of about 50m and 2 minutes, my hands were freezing. The must be a -20 degree wind chill factor.

On the drive out, you get a good view of part of the park that got burnt down in January by a tourist letting his fire get out of control.

Sitting here in my room (see yesterday’s blog post for view), the weather continually changes. In the space of 20 minutes the peaks have gone from being bathed in sunshine, to rain, to completely covered in cloud and obscured, repeat. However the bit that we did the walk on has been covered in cloud since we left, 2 hours ago.