These are pictures of a long, long hike – really very long – in the National Park Torres del Paine.
It begins at the park administration and led me up to Refugio Pehoe.
It was not only long, it was also very exhausting. Especially since I was not as proficient in hiking.
The weather alternated between sun and rain,
it was very cold, I wore all the clothes I had in my backpack, and it went from a constant wind, which I had never experienced in the measure.
I went into the wind, while I was at an angle of 30 degrees. Honest!
On the long walk, I met almost no one, I was alone and that was an incredibly exciting feeling. It’s as if you were suddenly all alone in this world.
Nature was – as usual in Chile – stunning, gigantic, indescribable. It was all very well, and large and open – the view was infinite.
The colors almost unreal, especially the blue of the lakes and rivers.
A dream, indeed.

And have a look at Menthe Blanche and her lovely MondayTrip!

Next post on the south of Chile.
The last time I had arrived by boat in Puerto Natales.
I spent some time in a nice hotel before I borrowed a car and drove on the way to
the national park Torres del Paine.
The ride did not last long – less than two hours.
But there were two gigantic hours.
The scenery was breathtaking, the air was clear, the colors were so intentsiv,

I have never seen such a wide – such an infinite – country

And I’ve never seen such an incredibly beautiful light.

And have a look at Menthe Blanche and her lovely MondayTrip!

The southern part of Chile could happen either by bus to Argentina or by boat on the coast of Chile.
There was no direct path. It does not exist – no roads, no people, no settlements. Only wild.
My plan: Take the boat to the south (from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales) and a bus back to Santiago de Chile.

The boat trip lasted 4 days and 146o km.
The ship itself was very simple and functional. There were cabin for 3-6 people. I was in a 4-man cabin.
On the ship were almost exclusively backpackers from around the world. I’ve met people who traveled for six months across South America.

In the first part of the trip the weather was not too bad. It was pleasantly tepid, sometimes it was raining, sometimes the sun was shining.

We toured the entire trip on one island, where there were inhabitants. Puerto Edén – on the island lived the last Alakaluf-Indians. (Fig. 2)
The inhabitants live mainly from fishing. Our stay did not last long.
There was a second time, where we recorded passengers. On the third day of our journey, the ship was driven by a small boat, it rose to ten men. The small boat went off again. (Fig. 3)
These men were workers of a mine. They were picked up every few months to travel home. These men live in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing left, except wild.

One day the ship had to go out to sea. It fluctuated incredibly strong – and in the evening no one was on the ceiling because it was bad for all passengers.
During this time I had to hold even in bed, otherwise I would be rolled out.

Temperatures varied from the beginning of 17 degrees plus to 5 degrees plus later, and in the end it was snowing even.
It was bitterly cold, foggy, and the clouds hung low.

It was a fascinating journey. So much wildlife, so much originality I had never seen before.
It was huge, it impressive. And sometimes my breath faltered in the face of the pictures I saw.

Have a look at Menthe Blanche. She is back with nice pictures of the Loire river.