Lago Grey
In midafternoon, after a long but picturesque drive, we arrived at Lago Grey, in the southwestern part of Torres del Paine National Park, with Glaciar Grey at its far end and the Cerro Paine
Grande looming above. We checked into the Hosteria Grey, right on the water, and were
treated to a fine dinner and spectacular sunset. The hotel is home to a tame red fox who wanders around the walkways greeting people and occasionally invites himself into someone's room.
The next day, February 19th, we visited the glacier face by boat (see below). Then we explored the area on foot and two diehards (Jim & Tom) climbed with Erick up what turned out to be an incredibly steep trail toward Mirador Ferrier. Their efforts were rewarded with a stunning panorama of Lago Grey, Glaciar Grey, and two huge massifs (Cerro Paine Grande and Cuernos del Paine) across the lake to the northeast.
The next day, February 19th, we visited the glacier face by boat (see below). Then we explored the area on foot and two diehards (Jim & Tom) climbed with Erick up what turned out to be an incredibly steep trail toward Mirador Ferrier. Their efforts were rewarded with a stunning panorama of Lago Grey, Glaciar Grey, and two huge massifs (Cerro Paine Grande and Cuernos del Paine) across the lake to the northeast.
Glaciar Grey
That morning we had more good luck with the weather, leaving early for a spectacular boat ride across Lago Grey to the face of Glaciar Grey. We shuttled to a nearby hiking center, walked across the Rio Pingo on another suspension bridge (this one was pretty solid), and then walked along a trail to the beach where the river meets Lago Grey. We climbed into a Zodiac for transit to the boat that took us across the iceberg-strewn lake to the glacier face. The photos tell the tale:
Transit to Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas
On February 20th we took another long van shuttle south to Puerto Natales (where a huge mylodon statue guards the highway) and then to the airport at Punta Arenas.
Andean Excursion to Puerto Montt
We left Punta Arenas on an afternoon LAN flight alongside the Andes to Puerto Montt, at the northern end of Patagonia on the Pacific coast. Those with window seats were treated to spectacular views of the mountains and glaciers we had just visited.