Torres del Paine: A Tale of Two Trips (English Edition)

In 2011, the author set out to hike one of the most famous treks in the world: the "W" Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park located in Chile. Famous for sheer granite towers called Los Torres, jagged peaks known as the Horns (Los Cuernos) and gorgeous glaciers that are part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the author and friends spent months planning the trip only to arrive at the park and discover that the path to their refugio is closed for the day due to fire. With official information in short supply, they spend the next 24-hours in the park assessing the situation as fire engulfs this national treasure. The author and friends salvage the trip by hiring a van and traveling to Argentina where they hike to Fitz Roy, another world-famous trekking destination. In 2014, the author is invited to join friends that have signed up with a tour operator to hike the "W" Circuit. Wary of a second trip, she finally decides to return to Torres del Paine in order to (hopefully) see all the sights missed on the previous ill-fated journey. In addition to the amazing beauty of Torres del Paine, the author discovers signs of recovery amongst the burnt remains of a large swath of former forest. In addition to "closing the gap," the return flight from Punta Arenas produces the greatest surprise of all!