Wow! Absolutely spectacular scenery, but due to the Navimag arriving late we only had 2 days & 2 nights in the park to enjoy the Torres Del Paine National Park (Towers of Blue).

Incredibly some people on our bus still managed to complete almost the full W trek in that time when it is usually done in 3 days minimum but with others taking it leisurely over 5-6 days.

The first night we all took the 6pm ferry to the Paine Grande camp ground, armed with heavy Kumuka tents, cooking supplies, sleeping bag & mat and a day pack of clothes.

The ferry crosses the beautiful aqua coloured Lake Pehoe, so took lots of pics on the half hour ride over.

We arrived at camp, set up tent, then headed out at 7.30 for an evening hike hoping to at least get to the view point of Grey Glacier. 

It was nice to stretch the legs after being on the bus all day, and took some beautiful photos along the way, (including one of icebergs floating in the river!), but decided to turn back after just over an hour as we'd been told we were still 30 minutes from the view point and we didn't want to be trekking back after sunset (approx. 9.45). Others in our group who were moving at a faster pace made it to the view point.

The next day those doing the remainder of the W trek left early with all their gear on their back.

A few of us took the easier option of just doing the day hike up French Valley, which allowed us to leave our gear at the camp site & just take food for the day, and water can be taken from the streams.

Once again the walk had spectacular scenery and we had our lunch (salami, pate, crackers - needed wine!) at one of the best view points overlooking French Glacier, and enjoyed watching the occasional avalanche from a safe distance.

 Unfortunately once again we didn't make it to the end of the path, stopping just short of the Britanico Camp to head back in order to make the ferry back at 6.30pm that evening.

At that point the strong Patagonian wind was starting to pick up and was whistling by us the whole way back to camp.

After the ferry back to Guarderia Puerto we hopped on the Kumuka truck to meet the transfer at Laguna Amarga. 

Enjoyed a treat of not having to cook and ate our chicken paella dinner prepared by our tour leader on the way (I won't write here what he wanted in return when i requested something gourmet, but will let you imagine what his completely wrong but hilarious sexually orientated reply was!).

Got some great pics of Guanachos on the way, which are funny llama ish looking things :-)

The bridge between here and the Las Torres camping ground can only be crossed by car as it's extremely narrow having been built in about 1915.

After the transfer to Las Torres we set up tent and headed in search of agua caliente (hot water)!  

Fortunately didn't give up after our area had none, and had a nice hot shower to rest the aching bones before bed!

Next day did the trek to the base of Torres Del Paine.

After the steep 400metre accent in the cold air I was wheezing away and finally realising cold + asthma = not good! So had to take my time and borrowed out guides bandana to cover my freezing cold chest, which as you will see in pics, makes for a very cute hiking outfit!  (The airs cold but it gets too hot walking to wear a heavy scarf or jumper!)

So after recovering from first 400m we ascended another almost 500m, and about this time I was seriously regretting wanting to do this hike!

Once up higher it got better for a bit and when we stopped at the Refugio for a break we had a nice break, running into & chatting with the nice Argentinian boys we met on the Navimag (actually were constantly running into the other Navimag passengers along the trails!).

So onward we went through a beautiful green valley with a melted ice stream running over granite rocks.  Very picturesque now the Clouds had cleared, but generally not as pretty a hike as French Valley.

The last section to the base of Torres Del Paine claimed to be 45 minutes, but I assume that is only if you keep going at a decent pace non stop ....

On this walk I decided I absolutely hate hiking and am not cut out for it! That I'm completely unfit and that what was I thinking going to Patagonia?!  (Please note previously I have never hiked much more then a bush walk, except for my brief hikes in Oz & NZ to break my new boots in!).

I took my time getting up the hill as my legs were killing (couldn't blame the asthma this time) and I did want to take photos and enjoy the stunning view on the way.

I did manage to have a few really nice peaceful moments without the oterd around, sitting on the rock taking in the glorious views, feeling the sun on my skin and the wind whistle up from the base of the valley and wash over me.

So eventually I got to the top (the base of the towers) and saw the amazing milky azure lagoon at the base, and was in awe!

Took heaps of photos of the beautiful scenery and decided hiking wasn't so bad after all, if it was to get to destinations as pretty as this :-)

We also managed to get them at a perfect time with clear blue skies which can generally only be seen 4-5 days a month.

As with all these beautiful spots we couldn't stay long, as once you stop moving it gets freezing! (Turn up in a tshirt and leave in thermals, fleece, wind proof jacket & gloves!) So just stopped for lunch and headed back down ...

Walk back was nice and took another break at the bottom to laze by the stream, in the sun and mostly out of the wind.

I walked the remainder of the way back with our park guide and once again ended up chatting about boys, dating and being single! So funny to hear all these girls from all over the world having the same woes, fears & concerns - and all holding out for that all important 'connection' with someone special :-)

So we stopped back at the hotel for a drink and fortunately as my guide knows everyone, got a free lift back to camp - yay!

Packed up for the day and headed to a nearby Refugio where we had Pisco Sours to celebrate our efforts, then caught the party transfer (our guide knew the driver so we were cranking the south american techno and having a dance!) back to meet Kumuka truck.

When we all met up again all were weary but happy to see each other!

Cranked more tunes and enjoyed a few sing alongs & grooming on the way back to another camp just outside the park.

Set up tents, ate, bed!

So all in all - 18 hours of hiking in 48 hours, approx 50kms and to heights of 1000m - not bad for a hill hating non hiker!

Woke up this morning to rain, packed up the wet tent now heading for the border to cross into Argentina :-)