2geonomads

Friday 13th March 2015

Rain most of the night and still very overcast when we get up. A combination of some very noisy travellers leaving the hotel early and G ‘s now familiar sinus problems were really not conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Leaving the hotel we travel north following the Rio Serrano and eventually turn  northwest along the Rio Grey to arrive at a swing-bridge  a short distance from the Lago Grey.

From there a 7 kms round trip along the pebble- strewn shores of the lake takes us to the eastern bank of Lago Grey and a further relatively easy walk to the north provides us with some great views of the immense Glaciar Grey.

As we leave the Lago we gain a fine view of the Cuernos del Paine ( Horns of Paine) and the Paine Grande (3050 metres).

Retracing our steps we arrive back at the impossibly acqua Rio Paine and follow this north to the store and restaurant at Lake Pehoe (Secret Lake).

This location affords us a superb view of the famous Torres del Paine.

Some information on the animal life seen along the way- there are apparently 4 types of camel, namely llamas and alpacas, both which are domestic, and guanacos and vicuñas which are wild. The guanacos are ubiquitous, not surprising given that the puma is their only predator. Incidentally, if any guy out there is finding it a challenge to find a partner spare a thought for the puma who has only one month to find a female on heat or wait 11 months for the next opportunity! Maybe we have more in common with the animal kingdom than I thought. Just kidding, folks.

Continue our journey past the Mirador del Nordenskjold ( Lookout) to the Porteria Lago Sarmiento where the bus offloads us and we embark on an 8 kms walk which offers us the chance to view some ancient rock paintings.

In due course we are reunited with the bus and during the next stage of our journey we come across a condor at very close quarters patiently waiting for a caricari bird to leave his prey so that he can enjoy some of the spoils.

Further spectacular views of the massif as we move around to the east and finally check into Las Torres Lodge This is certainly the most touristy and expensive accommodation so far. When presented with the bill for a beer I at first thought that I had put in a bid to buy the local brewery rather than one bottle of the local brew! Once bitten twice shy.

Buffet dinner and then it’s off to bed by 11.00 Cheers

The Obese Ferret