Patagonia—probably the most challenging and rewarding part of our trip so far! We spent five days trekking through the Torres del Paine National Park, camping every night and living off MREs for lunch and dinner (oatmeal for breakfast, nothing fancy). Surprisingly, the meals were better than we expected! Even though camping isn’t typically Shelly’s thing (it’s definitely Jared’s!), we quickly fell into the rhythm of trekking, setting up camp, and hanging out with fellow hikers at night. We even made some great friends along the way, sharing stories under the stars.
Here’s a breakdown of our unforgettable five days:
Day 1: Catamaran to Paine Grande & Hike to Camp Grey
The adventure kicked off with a catamaran ride to Paine Grande, followed by a challenging hike to Camp Grey. This was my (Shelly’s) first time trekking, and it was tough! The steep inclines and rocky paths tested my endurance, but the sense of accomplishment when we arrived at the camp was incredible. I was exhausted, but proud to have completed the first leg of the journey. I spent the night on the ground for the first time, which was… interesting! Let’s just say I have a newfound appreciation for mattresses. But the beauty of the landscape and the camaraderie with fellow trekkers more than made up for the discomfort.
Day 2: Camp Grey to Paine Grande
The hike back to Paine Grande offered stunning views that made the effort worthwhile. The terrain was rugged, and my body wasn’t quite used to the constant movement and carrying gear. But the scenery was gorgeous, and reaching the camp after a long day felt like a major accomplishment. The facilities at Paine Grande were the best on our trip, so relaxing with our fellow trekkers that night was the best part of the day.
Day 3: Paine Grande to Camp Frances
This day was a bit easier for me, although the wind was absolutely wild. Jared took on an extra challenge, hiking up to the Mirador Frances and the Mirador Britannica. The wind was intense up there, but he said the views were totally worth it. While he tackled the windy peaks, I enjoyed a more relaxed hike to Camp Frances, soaking in the natural beauty. The whole day was marked by stunning mountain views and the constant gusts of wind that Patagonia is famous for.
Day 4: Camp Frances to Central Camp
This was by far the longest day of trekking, and it was surprisingly warm out, which made things even harder. I struggled a lot since it was such a long, demanding hike, but pushing through to the end gave me a real sense of accomplishment. The scenery was still as beautiful as ever, but by the time we reached Central Camp, I was completely exhausted.
Day 5: Jared’s 3 a.m. Hike to Mirador Las Torres
On the final day, Jared stayed behind to do a 3 a.m. hike to Mirador Las Torres, while I happily opted to go back to Puerto Natales and sleep in a real bed! Jared said the early morning hike was one of the best experiences of the trip, with stunning views of the towers in the early light. Even though I skipped the early-morning trek, I was glad we had tackled this journey together.