Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us across the lake to the start of the Torres del Paine W Trek where we set up base at Camp Paine Grande before taking a side track over a ridge following Lago Grey to a viewpoint over the spectacular Grey Glacier. From there we return to the camp for the night.
Today's Journey
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Leaving the camping ground in the early morning following the side of Lake Pehoe towards the boat which will take us to the start of the track. |
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After crossing the lake, we reach a jetty from where it is a short walk up to our first camp at Refugio Ventice Paine Grande, named after the tallest mountain in the area, just off to our left - Cerro Paine Grande standing at 2884 metres high. |
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We follow the track along a gully on the left branch of the W shape giving the track its name. |
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Just over the top of the saddle we have this amazing view of Lago Grey with the mountains in the distance covered in ice forming part of the third largest icecap in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. The icecap extends south to the western side of the Strait of Magellan and stretches north a couple of hundred kilometres. |
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Following the desolate forest above the lake. Three bushfires in recent years have wiped out much of the forest in the park but it is slowly starting to regenerate again. |
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Reaching the viewpoint to Grey Glacier. Explorers about a century ago could walk onto the glacier from this bluff. In the decades since it has retreated several kilometres to its current terminus and continues to retreat with the climate change. |
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Returning to the saddle, the folds in the rock are very obvious along this southern end of the world's longest mountain range. |
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Following our guide back down the narrow valley back to the camping ground where we will stay overnight before hiking the main track tomorrow. |
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More hikers arriving at the camp as I look out from the main hut over the spectacular multi layered peaks of Torres del Paine. A very nice hot dinner awaits us. |
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Long exposure after sunset as the camp turns in for the night in preparation for a big day tomorrow. |
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