El Chalten, Patagonia

I was very lucky with my timing in El Chalten. This whole trip I have been flying by the seat of my pants, using word of mouth to determine where I should go next.  The days before arriving in El Chalten I heard people say their time there was spent huddled in their hostels,  avoiding the sideways rain and unbearable winds, never seeing a mountain for the clouds.

My first day was looking about the same. On the 2nd day I was awarded a tiny peak at Cerro Torre. I met a gentleman from Spain on the bus into town,  and he invited me to trek the following day. I had planned a rest day, but thought the company would be nice. The hike was beautiful,  but I didn't really know any better at that point. 

That night I met an Irish girl at the hostel, Aisling, as well as a man named Alan from Las Vegas. We began swapping trekking ideas and beta. By the next morning Aisling and I decided it was too nice for a rest day, so I pushed the idea aside. Originally we planned to do all the short hikes, but realizing how lucky we were with weather we decided on a tougher, steep hike to the 360 viewpoint.

Day 2, Co. Solo, Laguna Torre, Mt. Fitz Roy

 It was windy,  exposed and chilling, but so worth it. Aisling is a strong hiker and it felt good to break a sweat. We made ridiculously good time and battled the conditions for lunch, which gave us time to see the mountains come out! The weather is so finicky and similar to the cascades.

To think,  some people arrive and never once see these mountains

 This town is located so that you can hike out to the mountains and still return at a decent time. I got back and ran errands, booked a bus and had the most delicious meal and a rewarding spa treatment. Our hostel was super quiet and quaint, which allowed plenty of time to reflect and meet other travelers.

I literally ran from dinner to the end of town to get sunset photos

 Wednesday I took my "rest day" which included about 6 miles of walking, an hour or so of bouldering and this waterfall hike. I got some amazing photos and video.

 The views are ever changing, just like the weather. Thursday I tagged along with Aisling and her 4 friends traveling with her. This was the big day, trekking to Mount Fitz Roy. We opted to take a shuttle to the far trailhead so we could take advantage of different views and a less steep ascent. Although, this trail is still ridiculously steep.

The grade on this sign is a serious understatement.  Holy kittens it was steep.

 Trips like this, even traveling solo, you are rarely alone. It is next to impossible not to meet people and make friends.  Sadly though,  I parted ways with the Irish clan as they were rushed to catch a bus.  I spent an extra hour or more napping by the lake, taking side trails and soaking up to heat. It was the first hot day, and by the end I was seeking shade desperately!

They say this place is an addiction, that once you experience it there is no going back.  I can say from experience that burrows it's way in to settle in for the long haul, slowly seeping into your bloodstream until it is a physical part of you, and you a part of it.  There really are no words, no pictures, no way to express what it has done to me. But I can assure you it is a feeling that won't go away.  It will drag me back, again and again. I will return here in my lifetime, that is a fact.