11th/12th November 2011.
Having been so busy before leaving England and also with all the travelling to get here my training has been less than I would have wanted in the last 3 weeks. Our arrival at Torres Del Paine is planned to bring this to an end and with some trekking, swimming and horse riding. I hope these activities will help me tone up before setting off for Antarctica.
After nearly 5 hours of driving with as I said on my previous blog a stop for a blow out and a short lunch break we made it to our hotel the Explora Pategonia in the centre of the Park. This is a very modern building all pine lined with very nice rooms. Sue and I have been lucky and have a corner room overlooking the mountains and lake in one direction and the waterfall where the lake goes into the river from our 2nd window.
This hotel deals with trekking and there was little time to settle in before we were asked what we would like to do on our first afternoon. Within 1 hour of arriving we were off with our guide Raymondo who took us on a fast but scenic 3 hour trek where we got great views of the mountain, lake and our hotel.
The one difference with this part of the World to anywhere else is the constant high winds which were difficult to walk against and when blowing from the side did in fact literally blow Sue off her feet. We did however survive the trek, back to our room for a quick shower and then down for an introductory talk within 45 minutes of our return. Nobody said this was going to be a holiday.
After an enjoyable dinner it was early to bed as the next day Nov 12th was Sue’s birthday and so we had decided to go on a day hike which starts and ends with a boat trip on two of the lakes, the 2nd trip to be to the glacier.
Our alarm went at 5.55am, up for breakfast and down to the boat which left the jetty outside our hotel. We set off on a 5 hour hike once we had landed at the far end of the lake which took us through some wonderful countryside but nothing had prepared us for the breath-taking views of a live glacier making its way off the mountains and ending in the lake. Large chunks break off daily and make their way down the lake and sure enough there were a number of icebergs moving along as we trekked to their source.
We were not sure if the boat would be able to pick us up as the winds were very high and we had to board a small tender from the rocks and then transfer to the larger boat out in the lake. Despite some doubt eventually we were given the go. This was a tricky and very wet exercise but one we all managed with ease as our group all seem very fit people.
The boat sailed access the face of the glacier using it to shelter us from the wind making this a very special experience and one I will never forget and I know Sue will put it down as one of her special birthday moments.
On returning to the hotel it was an opportunity for some running repairs, Sues boots have decided she walks too fast and so have come apart at the toe, another blow out. Hopefully the maintenance guy can get them fixed by the morning. We then took 2 glasses of champagne back in our room and Sue opened all her birthday cards and a present from me with the mountains of Torres Del Paine. Overlooking outside our window.
Still with time to spare before an evening lecture and dinner we went to the spa area and had a swim again with some spectacular scenery to keep us company.
This is a wonderful way to train and prepare for a polar expedition and I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of travelling to the South Pole.