please enlighten me--what can you tell me about the
circuit? i'll be in patagonia mid dec. through early feb.
what kind of goodies should i bring? what kind of weather
and temperatures can i expect? heavyweight mountaineering
tent or ultralight backpacker? how long does it take to
complete the route? bomber boots or sturdy hiking shoes?
how much can i expect to spend? (park entrance, camping
fees, cost of packable food in punta arenas...)you get the
idea. also, if you know of any nifty, off the well beaten
trail hideouts, please let me know.
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Did not do the circuit myself, but the books will tell you that the full circuit will take a week, with rest days and sidetrips 10 or more days. As far as I remember entrance fees were $10. camping fees are really low.
When you get to the park you have to register where you are going and how many days you are staying. CONAF does officially not permit you to do the circuit on your own. When I was there in '96 they had just found the body of a north american who went missing 5 years before.
The weather changes all the time. In one day you can have rain, fog, snow and sunshine. There will be strong incessant winds. Take a good tent. I found hiking boots sufficient. I came across two places where you can stock up on food, but very expensive and I guess not on the trail. Sorry, but regarding the circuit somebody else has to fill you in. Good luck!
some more info can be found at www.samexplo.org/index2.htm.
Go to Chile at Traveller Bulletin Board. Also go to Other Interesting Websites, then choose Driving through Central and South America. Look for Dave & Sharon's Motor Cycle Diaries. Journals 20 Feb98-4 March98 as well as Flood at Torres del Paine National park (Misc) will give you some info.
also check www.gorp.com/gorp/location/latamer/chile/paine.htm
hope this well help you.
There's a few options in the park - there's a few ways to go
and you can take as much time as you like from a single day
to weeks. Decide when you get there and see a good map if
time's not an issue.
Don't worry if you're alone - the bus going out to the park
from Puerto Natales is full of people so you can get in with
others/hook up with others - whatever.
Weather - in Dec-Feb it's not really cold but it can turn
really nasty with wind and rain.(When I was there the wind
picked up 2 hikers-glider style-and threw them of an edge to
their death. That was an extreme tho).
Good sturdy boots are essential. Make sure they're well
water-proofed coz there's sludgy bits. Tent-wise- REally
waterproof and strong in case really windy.
Can't remember what the park cost - lost the ticket too.
You can find everything you need in Pto Natales - more
expensive than rest of Chile but still OK.
I hiked part circuit Nov 97. They appeared to be building
more lodges on entrance side of the park (South side of
circuit?)i.e. one up near Torres themselves, one midway by
Cuernos in addition to existing lodges at Glacier Grey etc
(in Lonely Planet). For a strong hiker may therefore now
be possible to do whole circuit without camping (say 5
days) although emergency bivi bag would be recommended.
Would agree about weather being very changeable & need for
decent boots and waterproofs although trail generally well
marked.
Pricewise US prices +, lodges are about $20 from memory for
bunkroom. Catering also available although you pay for the
convenience.