Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us back along the main track a little to follow the dramatic Rio Ascencio and head up towards Mirador Base Las Torres to get spectacular views of the mountains. From there we return to Camp Central to complete the W Trek.
Today's Journey
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Leaving the camping ground just after sunrise, we get our first view of the Torres as we approach the river. Today's hike is a day walk ending back at the camping ground, so we happily leave our packs there. |
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Approaching the Monte Almirante Nieto mountains of the Torres del Paine with the moon still high overhead. |
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We cross the Rio Ascencio river and follow the precarious track upstream straddling the scree slopes of Windy Pass - though the air is unusually calm today. |
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After passing a refuge we continue following the river upstream to an old glacial basin now filled with stunted beech trees. |
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Clearing the bush we get a closer view of the Torres looking up the rubble moraine of the glacier from the most recent ice age. There is still a long way to climb. |
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Reaching the lake behind the moraine at Mirador Base Las Torres looking across to the spectacular Torres towering over a kilometre and a half above us even though we have climbed to 900 metres above sea level. |
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Returning downstream with a final look at the Torres before reaching the refuge in the valley. |
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Pack horses pass us near the top of Windy Pass before the long descent back to our camping ground. |
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At the end of the descent in the final approach to the camping ground and the end of our hiking on the W Track. |
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Vortex cloud forming over the mountains after sunset as we settle into our tents for a cold, still night after four days of trekking. |
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