OT: Bucket List Trip

CTMike

My oldest son and I have spent the last 4 days traveling to Puerto Natales, Chile in preparation for hiking Torres Del Paine National Park. This was the view at dinner. He ordered a monster T-bone, I had lamb. Both were amazing. 

Sea2Ski

Beautiful!   Looks totally awesome!  
Keep posting pictures of your adventures no matter what they are. I hope you have the time of your life!!

GATraveller

You're on one of my bucket list trips. I'll be following every step of the way. Enjoy! 

bgebrent

Nice Mike!

Foghorn

I didn't know to have this trip on my list.  Now I do. Keep the pics coming. 

DoubleEgger

I want to steal your Shirley while you're away 

paqman

Very nice, thanks for sharing!

CTMike

Here is the view at the end of the second day. For those interested, we are "Hiking The W." If you watch the 6+ minute on YouTube you will get an idea of what we are doing. Amazing that we have Wifi out in the middle of the wilderness. 

CTMike

Foghorn said:

I didn't know to have this trip on my list.  Now I do. Keep the pics coming. 

I didn't know it was on my bucket list either until my kid found round trip airfare to Santiago, Chile for $285 and he told me to watch the "Hiking The W" video on YouTube. I was immediately sold. This past Tuesday's snow storm cancelled our early morning shuttle to BWI, so we had to drive to Dulles Monday night. To get to TdP took 3 plane flights, two bus rides, and a catamaran, but I don't regret a second of it. This place is flat out mind blowing. 

CTMike

GATraveller said:

You're on one of my bucket list trips. I'll be following every step of the way. Enjoy! 

You need to get here if you can. There was an information sign at an overlook showing how much Glacier Grey has receded since 1945. Sad. 

Ozzie_Isaac

Amazing!

Hans61

Very cool!

CTMike

This was taken during our flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. 

CTMike

DoubleEgger said:

I want to steal your Shirley while you're away 

The Shirley is locked away in the garage. Sadly we got home from Tennessee at 2 PM on Monday, and the kid and I left for D.C. at 7 PM to get ahead of the snow storm. Didn't even get a chance to spray it down and start seasoning. 

JohnInCarolina

Pretty awesome Mike!  Thanks for sharing this!

Foghorn

Thanks for the suggestion on the video.  Very beautiful.  And informing enough for me to know that my wife would never agree to do it.  She doesn't camp in areas that are cold enough to support glaciers.

DoubleEgger

CTMike said:

GATraveller said:

You're on one of my bucket list trips. I'll be following every step of the way. Enjoy! 

You need to get here if you can. There was an information sign at an overlook showing how much Glacier Grey has receded since 1945. Sad. 

Here's a pic I took from Athabasca Glacier in Jasper NP to show some perspective from a similar time span. 

bhedges1987

Looks like an incredible trip!

Hntnhrd

Stunning!!! And great meteorites with your son. 

CTMike

A couple more photos from the last two days:

CTMike

Foghorn said:

Thanks for the suggestion on the video.  Very beautiful.  And informing enough for me to know that my wife would never agree to do it.  She doesn't camp in areas that are cold enough to support glaciers.

My wife's asthma prevents her from doing things like this, and my sons wife is not into outdoor adventures, hence the two of us. It's not actually that cold, it's late summer right now in the Southern Hemisphere, in the 50's during the day and low 40's at night. We brought 20 degree sleeping bags so we are plenty warm at night. 

CTMike

bhedges1987

Keep the updated pictures comin! Still looking like a blast. 

CTMike

So the hike is complete and we are currently sitting in the Renaissance in Santiago getting ready to head out for some local food. Flight to Dulles tomorrow via Panama City then drive back to CT. 

If anyone decides to hike Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine, unless you are young and pretty fit the hiking is steep and tough, especially for a fat old guy like me with 40# in the pack. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything though, the scenery in the park is amazing. 

We wanted to visit Perito Moreno Glacier on the 
Argentinian side of Patagonia but my son couldn't get enough time off. I guess it is the only glacier in the world that is growing vice receding. 

CTMike

Oh, the bird is a Southern Crested Caracara, type of falcon evidently. I was within 10' of him and he just sat there. His crest looks a little like Trumps hairpiece. 

bhedges1987

Great trip man! 

da87

Awesome posts!!  Little better in this world than grilled South American beef and lamb with a local Carmenere!

CTMike

da87 said:

Awesome posts!!  Little better in this world than grilled South American beef and lamb with a local Carmenere!

Agreed, we went back again last night for more lamb and a sirloin. Paired with an excellent Malbec this time and some Papas Bravas - spicy potatoes with cheese and onions - outstanding meal. 

DoubleEgger

Heck of a trip and you get to go home to that killer new Shirley. #winning

dmchicago

@CTMike

What an amazing trip.

My wife and I went to Torres Del Paine National Park last January 2016 for her 50th birthday. We stayed at Exploria Patagonia for 8 nights and hiked and horseback rode the park.

Pictures do not describe the beauty. I hope you don't mind me adding a few pictures.

BUFFALOMOOSE

Airfare from the U.S.A. to Santiago Chile $285.00.  Going on a bucket list trip with your son.......Priceless.

Awesome job Mike!