Torres Del Paine, Chile

Hi,
I was there in December..... it was a little rain only and frog, so I didn't see the top :((
But I think it will be no problem , good to stay in the valley for a night (i don't remember the name of this place), good track....
If You need more info write me
czadmenka@interia.pl
or MSN soyaro@wp.pl
cheers from Poland
Patricia

Nov is the start of the season. It could be cold and windy or clear and crisp. The backside should be open with only some snow in the pass, the streams will be high with runoff though so some bridges may be out. The W trek will be open.

Thanks for the comments - so I guess with the bridges out, the circuit would not be possible or is there alternate routes to by pass it? At first glance of the trail it seems not but firsthand details would be useful.

Thanks again
Donf

The streams you cross can be done by wading, its cold but they are not very wide. It will be best to do any crossings early in the day before any melt starts and carry good sandals should you need to wade and use proper technique for wading. Read up on stream crossing using trekking poles upstream leen on them pack undone so it can be dropped etc. You may not need to wade as they open the huts at the end of Oct and may have the bridges up, some of the bridges are year round and not a problem, TDP is at a low altitude start and finish around 50m the back get higher.

Information I have put up over the past 2 years condenced into one long reply.

This is material from the last two years prices may change. I was there dec 2002 and Dec. Jan 2003-2004.

You can hike by yourself if you get by the Guards at the entrance, they have you fill out an equipment list when you enter the park and name the people in your group. They are looking for competence so they are not bailing people out of problems all the time.

It is not hard hiking. The circuit is a very comfortable stroll at 10 days, the W can be done without camping in 5 days, you could blitz the circuit in 6 days as was a group I ran into last Jan. but why???

The Refugios are comfortable and wine is cheaper than beer (they have to carry it in on various ox carts, horses and boats) the food is good we have BBQ lamb several times and dinner includes soup, main course and dessert.

Several good maps are available in Pt. Natales, pick it up there. The trip from Pt. Natales to The Gate at Guarderia Laguna Amarga is about 3 hours, pay for the ride to Hostleria Las Torres, you get it back when you stay at one of Fantasicos Surs camp sites or Refugios. Keep your receipts from staying at Fantasitco Sur facilities and you get a free ride back to the gate.

The other way into the park is by boat to Refugio Pehoe which runs 2-3 times per day.

The Refugios on the trail in the park are about $18 per person for bed, $7 for breakfast and $11 for dinner. There are several places where you have to camp if you are doing the full circuit. The Refugios are run by two different companies, Andescape and Fantastico Sur. One Refugio will radio ahead to the next to see if space is available and book meals for you, this helps if you don’t know your exact schedule.

These are the Refugios and camp site on the circuit and or W trek, other exist in other parts of the park. Expensive hotels are also available but not on the circuit except are the drop off at Hosteria Los Torres.

Fantastico Sur Refugios www.lastorres.com/lodges.html<BR><BR>Refugio Los Torres
Refugio Chileno
Refugio Seron (only 6 bunks in the old cabin)
Refugio Los Cuernos
FS Controlled camp sites:
Camping Seron
Camping Los Perros

Andescape Refugios www.andescape.cl

Refugio Dickson
Refugio Grey
Refugio Pehoe

Camping is available at all the Refugios ($5 per person per night, tent are also available for rent they are usually set up and in good spots in the camping area), many people camp and eat in the Refugio so as to save weight and not need to carry much food. You can buy soups, biscuits, pasta, rice and some other staples (like boxed wine) at the refugios also.

The uncontrolled camp sites are:

Camp site on way to Dickson
good camp site by John Gardner Pass
Camping Las Guardia
Camping Italiano at mouth to Valle Frances and camping Britanico in Valle Frances
Torres Viewpoint camp site and Camping Japones up above it

A 10 day circuit would be.

1) Start afternoon bus to Lago Amaga mini bus to Hosteria Las Torres drop off walk up to Refugio Chileano and camp.
2) Leave pack at Chileano go up to torres look out, back to Chileano get packs walk down to Refugio torres and camp (this is near the drop off)
3) Walk to Seron and camp
4) Walk to Dickson
5) Walk to Los Perros camp site
6) Walk to Paso John Gardner campsite
7) Walk to Refugio Grey
8) Walk to Refugio Rehoe
9) Walk to Campomento Italiano leave packs walk up valle Frances then on to Refugio Las Cuernos
10) Walk Hosteria Las Torres for mini bus to Lago Amaga and out to Pt. Natales by (3:00pm. Bus from Amaga)

Take money for the odd dinner in a refugio and then you get a hot shower. Also a box of wine in the refugio with other hikers is a nice evening event.