19.7km in 8h to Campamento Torres

I'm up when my alarm goes off at 08:00. Despite the wind it's still a warm and beautiful clear morning. I can even see the mountains behind me for the first time! After porridge, packing up, etc I leave at 10:30. At 11:00 it starts to rain. Bloody typical! The whole day is rainy showers interrupted by spells of sun shine.

As I start to climb higher into Valle Ascencio I appreciate the walk more - the views of the valley below and the mountain range behind me are spectacular. The talk of walkers (including Matt & Rosie, an outdoorsie American couple) was a river crossing with no bridge. They all found it treacherous, wet and very difficult. Strangely enough, I didn't perceive it a problem and simply hopped over. Matt & Rosie also kept being blown over by the gusty high winds, sustaining scrapes and blood injuries. I admit I lost my balance once and wobbled slightly.

After the hard hike uphill to Camping Chileno I realise I have another 1½ hours left to Campamento Torres. Sigh. It's a free campsite with no facilities but where I can base myself for the 1 hour accent to see the Torres (towers) for dawn tomorrow morning. It's a nice woodland trek, even with the bleeding heavy rucksack! The campsite is a lovely picturesque woodland reserve with a stream running through it. All the girlies say, "Arrr..." As the night draws in I begin to feel tired...

Posted by Steve Eynon