Turned again on the Dientes de Navarino trek, Patagonia

journey report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

The leaping off level is Puerto Williams.

Most do the 50km over Four days.

FIRST you want get to the tip of the world. That’s Puerto Williams (pop. 2000) on the island of Navarino.

There are 3 ways:

– flight on small airplane from Punta Arenas ($150 a method 2019)

– quick boat from Ushuaia (45min) and shuttle van (45min) about $100 a method 2019

I stayed on the pleasant and relaxed El Padrino hostel. Most individuals there are both coming from or going to a hike. It’s an awesome place to get maps and up-to-date info.

For in a single day mountaineering you’re requested to register (free) on the police station. I discovered it quick and environment friendly.

The day of my departure some left the hostel at 8am. As is usually the case, I used to be final to get on the path. I left city at 1pm. It was solely Four-6 hours to the primary campsite.

I had a sizzling un-dehydrated final meal for lunch. 🙂

The first massive snowfall of the yr was the earlier week — the finish of February.

Nearly everybody that week had turned again after post-holing deep snow. Most path markers have been hidden.

Climate was enhancing for my departure March 1st. However everybody had rented snowshoes over the previous couple of days … simply in case.

I’d determined NOT to lease snowshoes hoping sufficient individuals have been gone forward of me to place down a path within the snow.

However Shila — the most important gear retailer on the town‚ occurred to be open (for the primary time) as I walked previous on the way in which to the trailhead. I grabbed their final pair. ($three / day)

Even when I didn’t use them, they might make me look extra macho. 😀

It’s a few kilometres to the beginning. Most individuals stroll from city.

Summer season on  Navarino island is gorgeous. I can’t think about the way it should be through the very lengthy, darkish, chilly, moist winter months.

Everybody stops by to provide their respects to the Virgin. It couldn’t harm.

This path is very well managed. RESPECT to whomever bought this organized.

Trailhead

Truly, it was Lonely Planet’s Clem Lindenmayer who popularized it in his 1992 Lonely Planet guidebook Trekking the Patagonian Andes.

Clem died age-47 whereas mountaineering in China’s Sichuan Province, I’m unhappy to recall. I cherished his e-book. It was a part of the inspiration that had me begin this web site.

The BEST factor in regards to the Dientes Circuit is that this free pamphlet. I can’t recall a greater one mountaineering brochure wherever else on this planet.

In Spanish with English translation, it’s crystal clear. All you want for navigation.

The beginning is up, up, up via the bushes.

Fairly a little bit of path upkeep has been carried out on this part.

I used Maps.me as a back-up to the pamphlet description.

The beginning is the most well-liked dayhike out of Puerto Williams. As much as some viewpoints.

Puerto Williams

Beagle channel

Most day hikers end on the large Chilean flag.

I continued up on the rocky plateau.

It’s pretty nicely marked right here, as nicely, although you do should preserve your eyes peeled for cairns. In spots there are a number of trails to get to the identical place.

The one actual downside is punching via snow or ice and getting your toes moist.

A tough part is a protracted traverse alongside the facet of a mountain.

You move a sequence of fairly alpine lakes.

That is the type of snow I confronted on the primary day. Simple — however with some publicity. If you happen to slip it could be a protracted, painful fall.

There’s my vacation spot. Underneath the tooth of Navarino. It’s a steep scramble down.

Laguna del Salto

I arrange late within the day on the remark platform. Critical hikers typically day hike right here and again. That will take at the least eight hours.

Most individuals tent over by the waterfall.

It was a beautiful night and night time. I used to be optimistic for the climate subsequent day.

Sadly clouds have been getting denser after I awoke.

Right here’s what I’d face day 2 attempting to get to Laguna Escondida. A lot of snow.

Probably no vistas. Probably a slog within the fog.

I additionally awoke with a foul abdomen ache.

What to do? I had blended emotions.

In the long run I determined to hustle again to Puerto Williams and catch the 4pm ferry. It solely runs twice every week in summer season.

Again on the town it regarded to me like the best peaks have been clearing. My odds of getting via the circuit MIGHT have been 70% or extra, I imagine now.

I could have made the flawed resolution. ☹️

Oh nicely. This provides me an excuse to return!

associated – bookmundi info on this hike