After climbing in the French Valley, Tonya, Rani, and I headed back to Puerto Natales for a couple of days where we met up with the trekking team (12 people) and our guides (2 people) for the O-Circuit. This was the “Gucci” part of the trip since we were staying in Refugio tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and had the meal plan (3 meals per day.)
Torres del Paine is extremely popular all over the world. As such, permits to trek either the O-Circuit (around the park) or W-Trek front side of the park) are difficult unless you apply 6-months in advance. There are fewer O-Circuit permits than W-Trek, and there are more crowds when the O-Circuit and W-Trek overlap. Day permits make even larger crowds.
The O-Circuit starts at one of the park entrances near Torres Central and goes counterclockwise around the park. We went from refugio to refugio and took 9-days to go 85 miles with one zero mileage day for an average of 10.625 miles per day. Some days were longer and some shorter.
Overall, the views are amazing; John Garner Pass is the most fun; the French Valley is the most beautiful; we experienced every season, often in the same day; rain will happen; strong winds will happen, and everyone had fun.
We met our guides at the hotel. Natu (Natalie) and Ivan were very knowledgeable about the animals, fauna, history, geology, and fun. Their first priority was safety and building trust in the team.On the way from Torres Central to Seron Refugio.The team hiking to Seron.The team from left to right: Ivan, Rani, me, Brad, Tonya, Onni, Pam, Ed, Gina, Sally, Susan, Wendel, and Erin. Natu took the picture.On the way to Dickson Refugio.We celebrated Ed’s birthday when we had breakfast at Dickson Refugio.Tonya and Brad walking along Lake Dickson in the morning.Natu and Ivan talking about the history of Patagonia. We were in no hurry to leave Dickson since the hike to Los Peros is the shortest day.Looking south from Dickson LakeDickson Lake and Dickson Glacier in the back. Sometimes, there is no wind in Patagonia.On the way to Los Perros Refugio. Very windy next to Laguna Los Perros and Mirador Glacier.Early morning start at Los Perros.Top of John Garner Pass. It was windy and cold. Reaching the top of the pass and seeing Grey Glacier emerge reminded me of seeing the Grand Canyon the first time.Team photo at the top of John Gardner Pass with Grey Glacier in the background.Grey Glacier through the trees on the way down to Grey Refigio.I’m chilly at the top of John Gardner Pass.There are three suspension bridges on the way to Grey Refugio.Each bridge has a suggested number of people on the bridge.Andean CondorGrey RefugioA guanaco at Paine Grande Refugio. Guanacos closely related to llamas.Sunrise at Paine Grande Refugio.Morning on the way to French Camp from Paine Grande. A supply boat is returning to Paine Grande.Wendel in the French Valley. Wendel also celebrated a birthday on the trek.First view of the towers on the way from French Camp to Central Refugio.The towers from Lago Torres.Sally made bracelets for us all.
