W Trail Day 1: Not Quite What You Think.
This is the start of the W Trek, as that typically begins at the park entrance (Laguna Amarga, where I am at the moment) and ends at the park entrance, and does not start at the base of the towers. The hike to the base of the towers, also known as Mirador Base Torres, is one of the most popular hikes in Torres del Paine National Park. It’s a moderate to strenuous hike that takes about 9h:22m hours to complete round trip. The trail starts at the Refugio Central (7km / 4,3 miles from this photo) and climbs steadily through lenga forest and up scree slopes until you reach the viewpoint at the base of the towers. From there, I had stunning views of the Torres del Paine mountains, including the Paine Grande, the Catedral, and the Torres del Paine. Here’s a more detailed description of the hike: *The hike starts at the Refugio Central, which is located in the Central Sector of Torres del Paine National Park. *The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow. *The first part of the hike is through lenga forest. *The trail then climbs steadily up scree slopes. *The last part of the hike is a bit steeper and requires some scrambling. *The total distance of the hike is about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). *The elevation gain is about 800 meters (2,625 feet). If you’re planning on hiking to the base of the towers, be sure to start early in the day to avoid the crowds. You should also be in good physical condition, as the hike is moderately strenuous. Here’s a list of some of the mountains I saw along the way from Refugio Central to Base de las Torres: *Cerro Almirante Nieto: This 2,670 meter tall mountain is located just behind Refugio Central. *Cerro Ñido de Cóndores: This mountain is home to a condor colony, and is located to the right of Cerro Almirante Nieto from Refugio Central. *Torres del Paine: This is the mountain range that dominates the landscape in Torres del Paine National Park. The three main towers are called Torre Sur (South Tower), Torre Central (Central Tower), and Torre Norte (North Tower). *Cerro Fortaleza: This mountain is located to the left of the Torres del Paine towers from Base de las Torres. PS. Number 1 on Explore on May 2nd., 2024. PS2. Bless your heart, you're the best! This top picture on Explore is all you, and we mightily appreciate it, my dear woman friend.