Day 3 on the W Trail: My Legs Said 'No,' But My Eyes Said 'Yes' (and My Jaw Dropped).
My legs screamed in protest, but the view from the British Lookout silenced them with a gasp. 😮 After a grueling 4-kilometer (2,48-mile) slog from the Francés Lookout, I finally stood at a staggering 1,000 meters (3,281 ft) above sea level. Below me, the north valley unfurled like a crumpled velvet tapestry. Imposing granite walls rose from the emerald expanse, their sheer scale eliciting a muttered "what the hell?" – a phrase that perfectly captured the humbling beauty before me. This, my friends, was the crown jewel of the French Valley – Mirador Británico, a hidden gem and undisputed highlight of the W Trek. It's not for the faint of heart; reaching this viewpoint requires a dedicated day of hiking. But for those who persevere, the reward is a jaw-dropping 360-degree panorama. Pehoe Lake shimmered like a fallen sapphire, dwarfed by the colossal Los Cuernos peaks and the mighty Paine Grande. These granite titans, unseen from other vantage points, thrust skyward like the spires of a forgotten city. Why black and white? Because it captures the raw, dramatic beauty of this landscape. No color could do justice to the stark contrast between the towering peaks and the dark, mysterious valley below. So, who's ready for a virtual hike to the British Lookout? Let's share the pain and the glory together! *** PS. Number ONE on Explore on October 19th., 2024.