Tag: chile
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Chao, for now, Chile – Puerto Varas to Denver

Having checked off most everything on our list, it was time to make our way back to the United States. Maggie and I made the most of our last day in Santiago by romping around town and seeing things we missed on our first visit. 10 February 2023 The joy ride in our rental car…
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A Long Drive to Find Big Trees – Caleta Olivia to Puerto Varas

Maggie and I were closing the distance to Puerto Montt, where we had to return our rental car. A few more days of driving lay ahead, but we tried to make the most of it on the long road north before ending our South American adventure. 6 February 2023 Our seaside nook near Caleta Olivia…
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Not Quite the End of the World – Punta Arenas & Monte Leon National Park

Maggie and I had about a week left in South America. We wanted to get a far south as we could, but we needed to budget some time for the long drive back north. We settled on stopping through Punta Arenas, then made some fun stops on the way north through Argentina. 3 February 2023…
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Taking it Easy & Hiking Hard – Torres del Paine Day 5-6

At Camp Grey, Maggie and I only had 31 miles of trail left on the O circuit. Our itinerary split that nicely into two halves: seven miles to Paine Grande Camp, followed by twenty four miles to the car. We leaned into the relaxation on our easy day, then pushed hard to finish the trek…
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A Trek Around the Mountains/A Lap Around the Sun – Torres del Paine Day 2-4

After a busy first day in Torres del Paine National Park, Maggie and I started making our way into the backcountry along the O trek. It didn’t take long to find some solitude, which was a welcome change and nice surprise. Fresh views were found around every corner as we wandered deeper into Patagonia. 29…
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Towers and Traffic Jams – Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine Day 1

One of Chile’s many crown jewels – the Torres del Paine massif – is tucked away near the southern end of the continent. It is far from just about everywhere, yet it has become a destination for backpackers and big wall climbers from around the globe. Maggie and I made our way to this remote…
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A Tough Hazelnut to Crack – Torres del Avellanos

Ad·ven·ture (noun): an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity… Maggie and I were heading into the mountains on a suggestion, a trip report translated from Spanish to English, and a low resolution screenshot of the route. We weren’t entirely sure what to expect, but we knew we were in for a big adventure… ***UPDATE JANUARY…
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A Castle of Rock and Ice – Cerro Castillo National Park

Well into Patagonia by this point, Maggie and I were eager to explore the mountains. We continued south to a small, but epic national park where we got out for a full value day hike. 18 January 2023 Maggie and I got our day going on the Dolphin Rocks just off the Carretera Austral. We…
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To Argentina and Back Again – Entre Lagos to the Carretera Austral

In order to avoid a few ferry crossings on Chile’s Carretera Austral, Maggie and I chose to drive through Bariloche, El Bolson, and Alerces National Park in Argentina. Customs, cash, and camping all presented new challenges, but we were excited to carry on with our south bound road trip… 15 January 2023 After a scrambled…
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‘Yaking, Laundry, and Taking the Wheel – Pucón to Entre Lagos

On a recommendation from a friend, Maggie and I stopped in Pucón, a cute tourist town on the edge of Lake Villarrica. We had originally hoped to climb Villarrica volcano, but with grand goals to continue south, we didn’t make time for the hike. Instead, we explored the lake and the town, and made plans…
