An exploration hiking day in the Valle towards the classic lookout beneath the three batholithic pinnacles, Paine Towers, for which the peak is named. (“Batholithic” is igneous rock that has melted and intruded into the surrounding layers.)

We set off to one of the most famous vista points in Torres del Paine. Along the Rio Ascencio into Valle Ascencio, through Beech forests and boulders, up to the viewpoint with the three towers and the glacial lake at their feet. The towers are nearly vertical (expert climbers attempt to climb those walls), with glaciers surrounding the turquoise lake.

Every photo you’ve seen of the towers shows a crystal clear blue sky and hikers sitting in the sun admiring them. Not us. Cloudy, rainy and cold. The cold was already becoming a given in our lives.

But 10 minutes later, the sun came out again, and there they were…picture perfect… View image

Enough admiring the towers. It was Christmas eve and our camp site was at Estancia Los Torres. The cook had champagne and a festive dinner planned. View image

Ray in his Xmas hat
But we spent most of the time huddled around the campfire, trying to stay warm, and drying out our boots. It is a big “no-no” drying boots by heat because the leather can crack but no one cared at this point. We stood there for hours…rotating them….rushing to get them away from the fire when someone smelled singed leather…all everyone wanted for Christmas was a pair of DRY BOOTS!

 

Last day of hiking followed along the Rio Paine. Jumped in vehicles for drive to Calafate, Argentina, a hotel and hot showers. We were ripe and ready….