Chile
Torres del Paine: The ultimate guide for hiking the O-trek
Ok, I just conquered the world. Or at least it feels like that. I just came back from 9-day trekking in Torres del Paine carrying a 20kg backpack (my backpack wasn’t even that heavy when leaving home!!), eating lots of instant meals, and sleeping in a tent every single freezing night. And let’s put this straight; I don’t necessarily like camping that much, or hiking… for 9 days. I got trapped into this.
Team Seduction
Let me introduce you to Team Seduction; a Swede, 4 Yankees, the Ozzie, and I, all recognizable by a red fingernail and lots of noise. This crew got together in El Chalten where everything was still quite tame. Five days later we were let loose in the National Park of Torres del Paine with the worst preparation EVER. Leaving worried park rangers behind if we’d make it back alive and having no idea of what we were getting ourselves into. Having bin bags as bag covers, gourmet meals that weighed a ton, three people pushed into a two-man tent, and one of the members conquering the mountains of Torres del Paine in flip-flops (leaving literally every trespasser stunned behind). We definitely were a bunch of amateurs.
The O-trek of Torres del Paine
When hiking Torres del Paine you got multiple options. You either do day treks, the W-trail, or the O-trail. During your hike, you need to bring everything you need. Tents, food, sleeping bags, clothes for all kinds of weather, and some good spirit. We did the O-trek or circuit which means about 130km hiking up and down mountains coming across all four seasons in one day. Never ask about the weather forecast, because people simply can’t predict it.
Survival adventures
In the first part of the trail, we saw barely anybody. It was just us, a bunch of woodpeckers, beautiful valleys, and even more beautiful mountains. The absolute highlight of this part of the trail was ”The Pass”. Feared by many because of its killer incline and the insanely long day, but damn, it was cool. The first part was like a proper survival trail; swinging from branch to branch, trying to avoid ending up head first in one of the many, many mud puddles. Didn’t work out that well.
Highlight of Torres del Paine
After a bit of mud wrestling, the real incline started. Combined with some snow fights and survival chocolates we made it to the top where we were in for a big surprise: a humungous glacier and endless views with double rainbows. Worth every single mud puddle I crashed into and every single blister I had on my soaked feet. This view has been seriously one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen! Words can’t even describe how insanely beautiful this place was. I can’t believe I would have missed out on this adventure, if we’d chosen to walk the W-trail.
Torres del Paine on fire
As if this wasn’t enough we got treated to many more glaciers, the most amazing rainbows, bright blue glacier lakes, waterfalls, and snowy mountains, to top it off with a sunrise at the Torres del Paine. After 8 days of walking, we climbed our way up through snow (feet were unconscious by now), while it was still dark, to experience one of the most amazing sunrises I have ever seen. I’m not even gonna try to describe how special and insanely gorgeous this was, because there are no words to do it justice.
A grand adventure
We wouldn’t be Team Seduction if this whole trekking was just about hiking. Oh no. At dinnertime we took over the dinner shack with some pots & pans music, we partied in a dome, lost 5kg the first five days and gained everything within an hour of cookie munches, and made a proper song about the Mustache Man we kept on running into.
Yes, life wasn’t that bad under these conditions. But gee, I’m happy we’re back! Time for a shower, a feed, and a big bottle of red wine. Thank you Torres for the pain, but mostly for the fun. It was an absolute pleasure.
Marthe
Photos by: M. Barends, F. Mosesson, K. Huguelet ©
Recap
Do you rather look at images than reading stories? No worries, we have a short recap of everything you need to know below.
Best time to visit
Patagonian Summer: December till March
Sleeping options
Bring your own tent and sleep on a different campground every single night or stay at one of the Refugios (book way in advance).
Insider tips
- Rent your equipment in Puerto Natales
- Bring thermic underwear
- You can do the hike in running shoes if you didn't bring hiking boots (they dry faster)
- Bring enough socks
- A good water-resistant bag cover
Currency
Chilean Peso
Weather
You'll experience all seasons in one day. So buckle up for sun, warmth, snow, rain, wind, and cold.
Entrance Fee
35.000 Chilean Peso
Paid in cash at the entrances of the National Park Laguna Amarga, Sarmiento, or Serrano.
