January 18 - To Puerto Natales

Hi:
A relaxed get up and grab the first (10:00) bus top Puerto Natales.  Travelling hint - Buses can be full so book early.  They are nice buses, clean, c/w potties and air conditioning.  I booked 3 days ago and it was almost full then.  I got seat #4 - first row, right hand side.  You get moved out of this seat in favour of handicapped folks (although I don't think they toss you off).

This is typical of most of the countryside on the way up.  Flat or gently rolling, greener than up north with scrubby grass and windblown trees (often all or partly dead), and not a lot of water.  I saw cattle, sheep, guanacos (or llamas), either some ostriches or emus and the odd horse or two.
 






Here you go, Laura - cyclists.  I saw 3 couples including one female.  Strong left to right crosswind, so you might have been in the ditch. 

Another feature of the road were these rather cute little shelters, I assume for people waiting for the bus (we stopped at one and picked a fellow up). Lots were in tough shape, missing paint, or with busted windows and doors.  A number were blown over entirely.  

The road was in good shape.  I think most of the 250 km was poured concrete as opposed to blacktop.

Every town I visit, I'll take a picture of their town square.  Smaller town, smaller square.  I didn't notice many (any) statues either. 

Last photo today is of the street.  Definitely looking more "frontier-ish."

That's it for photos today.  I went to the 3 pm Torres del Paine briefing today and got some more hints and pointers.  I've decided on 7 days, 6 nights, which is halfway between the typical short (5 day) and long (9-10day) trips.

Getting food for this trip was a bit of an adventure.  Freeze dried hiking meals are hard to come by and twice the price as in Canada.  Couldn't find quick cooking rice, either.  And, of course, many of the Spanish brands and names were a mystery.

There is an amazing little dried fruit shop in town, blasting out CCR into the street.  I got various other goodies.  Their single serving soups (their version of Cup a Soup) are chock full of sodium and a bit scary.  I'll make do, although they don't even have Eat More chocolate bars which are a staple on our trips in Canada (such an under developed society, eh :)

Here's my plan for the next few days, if you are interested.  Get Laura to e-mail you a link to the Torres del Paine map site.

Jan 19: Around Puerto Natales  (I'll get some more photos)
Jan 20: Early 0730 Bus to TDP. Night 1 in TDP (Campamento Torres)
Jan 21: TDP Night 2 (Up/Down to the Torres, then to Los Cuernos)
Jan 22: TDP Night 3 (Italiano, after up & down French Valley)
Jan 23: TDP Night 4 (Refugio Grey - this is a long day)
Jan 24: TDP Night 5 (Easy day up to Los Guardes, then up the trail a bit.  
                   Stay at Los Guardos)
Jan 25: TDP Night 6 (Back to Paine Grande)
Jan 26: Just up the trail to Lago Pehoe and catch the early Catamaran and bus to Puerto Natales

There could be variation on Day 4 and after.  If I am beat I can stay 
at Paine Grande Night 4, Refugio Gray Night 5 and out on Day 6

Jan 27: Free day in Puerto Natales to recover

Jan 28: Off to Calafate  (need that bus reservation)