Exploring more of Torres del Paine National Park

12/22/16

There are quite a few things to try and get used to in December (summer) in Torres del Paine - cold weather, winds in excess of 50 MPH, daylight from 5 AM to almost 11 PM and rain. The weather can easily be all 4 seasons in one day.  At some point, you think it is the normal dinner time because of the daylight, but then you realize your grabbing dessert and adding it to your hips around 10 at night - and that's not even adding in the many glasses of wine. 

Today's hike was in true Patagonia style - rain, incredible wind and challenging terrain.  I managed to complete most of it despite the elements, but that wet beach sand regenerative lenga took a lot out of me. We loved the box lunches the hotel provided for us since we were pretty famished at the end.

First challenge - crossing a hanging bridge in about 50 MPH winds.

Second challenge - navigating wet beach sand regenerative lenga 

while trying to battle the wind. This was a serious challenge for my ankle.

Icebergs from the glaciers.

Major iceberg spotting.

Today, we felt it incumbent to continue to honor the drinking of pisco sours during happy hour (again, "learning and discovery"), and more wine after that.  Now we've been informed that there is UNLIMITED alcohol on board the ship we'll be boarding for 4 nights Christmas Eve. I could easily get used to this type of Christmas gift every year!

Here are some great shots of the Paine Massif after lunch...

We couldn't believe how lucky we were today with the clouds clearing over the Paine Massif - allowing us to clearly see the horns and the towers of this granite/sedimentary rock formations. We even took an incredible number of photos from our hotel rooms. LA RAJA!!!! (which means "more than awesome" or "butt crack" (for some reason). Obviously this matches the first translation:)

When we returned to our hotel, about 12 of us went horseback riding through the park in 2 shifts of 6. Nicole rode twice so she could keep an eye on us and translate where needed. My horse, Palermo, copped a "tude" from the get go - insisting on eating every blade of grass he could find. Jorge, our leader, told us not to let the horses eat grass because then that's all they would want to do and we would end up going nowhere fast.  

So, Palermo acted just like a petulant child - going as slowly as possible more than halfway of the route - pouting all the way. Then, when it came time for the group photo with the Paine Massif in the background, you will notice 3 horses neatly aligned side by side, then one pouting in the background, then another 3 neatly aligned. Not only did Palermo sulk in the background, but he kept stepping backwards to the point that we almost tumbled into the river rapids!

On the way back Palermo would wait until we were going downhill to sprint right up to Connie's horse's butt, then put on the brakes. I couldn't wait to get rid of him.