8/3 P-nutty
back on another bus, this from El Calafete to Puerto Natales (P-nutty), as usual it was well over time!! A place called El Living made a great veg curry (there was unfortunately no meat) and chai latte. This style of spices and home style tea like that brought a smile to both of our faces. When we arrive at the hostel, we get upgraded to a nice 3 bed dorm, like a family room with a bunk and large single. We take the low ones, great beds!! in Lili Patagonicos. Here we met three people, Eric from California at breakfast, and a German couple Vera and Tom. Since it was mediocre weather, they were looking into hiring a car for a day and if we want to join. We will likely catch them somewhere on the trek as they will be on it around the same time.
9/3
move to hostel El Patagonicos, smaller couples type hostel, with a nice vibe. A couple from I Keu Ken recommended as this hostel hire things for cheap. We hunt for deals all afternoon for other items, some clothes and walking poles, and head to the info session on the hike at a place called 'Basecamp.' This is a really different view point. Have a dry set of clothes and a hiking set. If it rains you get wet, keep walking and don't get the waterproof out. Later it will be sunny and that will dry you. Then arrive, set everything out and get into the dry set. Now if it's raining you can wear a dry waterproof. It does mean everything is in garbage bags as the wind rips off covers for your pack, as I said, different ideas.
We have been working hard to Stay gluten free before the hike (or for Sarah to be gluten free) so we head out to a pasta place that does gnocchi. I think its karma when it turns out to be one of the best ever gnocchi dishes we have ever eaten!! Mmmm,
10/3 Last supper
We got all the gear and food organised, We prepared for the trek and have a last supper with wine, pizza and gnocchi. The food was so good it hurt when we were weighing out the oats for breakfast or putting tuna in a bag and not the can to reduce weight and rubbish.
I'd love an accurate reading of our bags weights, mine was easily over 15kgs, almost as heavy as the 23-25+ kg i usually have. Contents .... 5 days of breakfast, dinners, pasta, wraps, salami and cheese, trail mix, chocolate and cookies, boiled eggs, noodles, knives and torch, 1 set of dry clothes, beenie, gloves, sleeping mat, tent, sleeping bag, and day pack. I'm not sure what else. This will hurt but I'll remember it.