Grey Glacier Walk
Trip Start
Feb 17, 2010
1
32
56
Trip End
Apr 15, 2010
Where I stayed
Refugio Paine Grande
Torres Del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Sunday, March 21, 2010
I was stressed again this morning: Putting out the stools, starting breakfast, showering, getting packed and taking down the tent for Deb. She announced this morning that people were getting 2 rolls apiece but only 1 slice of ham and 2 slices of cheese - which went over really big...as one would expect. I suppose if she hadn't, some people would have gotten no meat or cheese for their 2 rolls.
The catamaran didn't leave until noon. We took it across Lago Pehoe, another brilliant blue glacial lake, to a lodge and campground: Refugio Paine Grande. Some of us are doing a 4 day hike with backpacks, tents, sleeping bags etc. I opted for the "V" -.2 days of hiking but not pushing myself to go all the way to the ends. I checked into the refugio and finally got directions to the Grey Glacier part of the "V" walk. I started at 2 pm and took lots of photos on the way. I got to the first glacier overlook at 4:45 pm and back around 7 pm. I still had a 5 hr hike and got a glimpse of Grey Glacier...I didn't get to see the glacier as it looks in the postcards but I liked the trail very much...lots of interesting plants and flowers....even a bunch of foxglove. I heard some birds singing and then I saw two birds...black and white with red heads, but didnīt get my camera out to photograph them in time. I am pretty sure they were woodpeckers. It was very, very windy and I nearly got knocked over by the wind several times.
When I got back I had a cup of hot chocolate here at the refugio to warm up. It was pricey - about $3 US for a small styrofoam cup from a machine. I am sharing a room with an older couple from British Columbia-mountain climbers and quite ambitious in their hiking choices. I think the woman said they had gone 29 km that day.
