W trek Winter Patagonia Torres del Paine National Park
Many dont know about Patagonia in winter, the weather is not scary, its an adventure, unique and one of a kind, its mind preparation and the right gear and the experience is one of a kind. The best part of Torres del Paine in winter is the empty trails, the quiet camps and the feeling that the mountain is all yours. These photographs are of the W trek in the months of June, July and August in Winter. The days of making first tracks and seeing the puma markings along the trail is a feeling of sublineness summer does not give you. Ive been leading treks for many winters now in patagonia and this is some personal advce. Dont underestimate the weather any season in Patagonia. You cannot be miserable if you are warm so layer in puff jackets not bulky fleeces, I carry a 700 down to hike in if its cold and a thick 800 Rab for my camp time, skip fleeces they are bulky, I carry 3 puff jackets in Winter they pack down to nothing in a dry sack and they are bullet proof warm, I have a 700 black diamond, a 800 Rab thick down and a thin primaloft for layering. As soon as you stop you layer up, your body cools down so fast. Bring extra socks, bring 3 or 4 pairs of gloves, if it snows or is wet they wont get dry good in the cold and if we get wetter weather and its golden to have on standby. Your rain gear is not an option and pants and jacket that are 3 layer gortex are necessary. Keep all of your gear in drysacks inside a drysack that lines your bag, the outter liner is not rainproof and you need to keep dry in winter, especially if you are hiking the full W not doing the day base hike and then scooting over to the Vertice refugios as most offer the W but skip the trail from Central to the French Valley which is not the true full W, if in tent you will need these extra layers. Dont buy cheap hiking crampons, Salewa and Ice Tecnology is what I use, they have good track and thicker spikes those little ones with the black yellow dots are crap and will break. Wool is warmer and dryer than poliester, it breathes and does not stink like plastic layers do. Poles are necesssary as well as high top boots which are goretex, gaiters over your boots keep the shoes way drier and keeps the snow from slipping into your boots and keeps your socks dry. Winter W expedition is harder than a summer experience but its one that will make you grow in mind and spirit and the snow scenes are unlike any views anywhere else in the world. If you come to hike Patagonia this winter, invest in your gear and your experience will be a happy one. Much love to all the winter hikers, Cheers from Puerto Natales, Magallanes