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[[ES:Trekking Torres del Paine]]
{{Indexed}}
{{Itinerarios Torres del Paine_en}}
{{RutaForm2RutaForme
|Actividad=Trekking
|País=Chile(english)
|CiudadesChile=Puerto Natales
|BellezaEscenica=Impresionante
|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicas, Glaciar, Bosque, Fauna atractiva, Lago, Río, Formación Geológica, Parque Nacional
|DuraciónDuracion=8 - 10 días|Dificultad Física=Algo Exigente|Dificultad Técnica=Baja
|Sendero=Siempre Claro
|Señalizacion=Suficiente
|Infraestructura=Hotel(es), Cabaña(s), Hospedaje(s), Refugio(s), Camping
|TipoTrekComparteIdayRetorno=RecorridoCircuito|DistanciaLatitud1=117-51,7 kms 177809|DesnivelLongitud1=+5.566 metros-72, 960217|Latitud2=-5.566 metros51,072976|Longitud2=-73,093223|Latitud3=-50,972646|Longitud3=-72,875176|Distancia=117700 |MetrosAscenso=5566|MetrosDescenso=5566|Comentarios distancia=|AltitudMedia=
|Primer Autor=Patricia.Meneses
|Imágen Principal=Cuernos_del_paine.jpg
|ComentariosImagen=Cuernos del Paine from Camp Italiano. Feb. 2002. ImageFile: Francisco Reyes|m=https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1YkBgYt9iMDf3KfXmKVLHCQenBhnAFLpS
|KMLZ=Trekking Torres del Paine.kmz
|ComentariosMapa=
}}
==Introduction==
[[Imagen:Lago Grey, Valle del Frances y Cuernos del Paine desde Hosteria Lago Grey por David Thyberg.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Lago Grey, Valle del Francés, Cuernos del Paine from Hostería Lago Grey by David Thyberg]][[Imagen:Mirador de las Torres con arcoiris por Dmitry Arkhipov.jpg|thumb|500px|right|Las Torres and rainbow, by Dmitry Arkhipov]]
The '''Torres del Paine Trek''' is one of the most spectacular destinations in the world. In fact, according to a review of 9 specialized books that make their own selections of the best routes in the world, Torres del Paine is the most frequently named (you can check the study out in [[Best Treks / Hikes of the World, top 100]]). Unsurprisingly, it is extremely popular, and it is strongly advised to visit the route from November to early December, to avoid the massive flow of walkers of January and February.
==Description of the route==
The Paine Circuit is a walk of 8 effective days (increasing to 9 if you chooso to walk to Dickson Glacier as well). It is typically must be done counterclockwisefrom Serón to Grey, and it includes two full day sidetrips (Valle del Francés and the base of Torres del Paine) and a branch of a couple of hours (Glacier Punta Puma)
[[Imagen:Mapa_circuito_torres_del_paine.jpg|center|frame|General map of the Torres del Paine Circuit]]
===Day 1: Hostería Las Torres - Serón===
[[Imagen:Seron margaritas.jpg|right|thumb|280px|Daisies just before Serón. Imagen: [http://www.panoramio.com/user/1638473 Gabcpd]]]
[[Imagen:Margaritas en sector Campamento Seron por Jaredk.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Margaritas en sector Campamento Serón por Jaredk]]
'''Note: Altough it has been designated as day 1, it may also be the 2nd day if you choose to hike to the base of Torres del Paine (day 8 here) first instead of last'''.
Shortly before Serón a fence must be crossed. The track passes along a slope where the hill reaches river, the last point before reaching the site. There is a stream with clean water, several picnic tables by the "puesto" of the old ''estancia'', and a small warehouse.
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 3h 20'
===Day 2: Serón - Dickson===
[[imagen:Torres_por_detras.jpg|thumb|280px|left|Unusual look of Las Torres del Paine viewed from the north, by Francisco Reyes]]
[[Imagen:Torres y Lago Dickson desde sector Refugio Dickson por Fernando Palma.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Las Torres and Lago Dickson from Refugio Dickson, by Fernando Palma]][[Imagen:Cerro Ohnet entre Refugio Dickson y Campamento seron por Tetsuya.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Cerro Ohnet, taken between Refugio Dickson and Campamento Serón, by Tetsuya]]
From Seron advance 200 meters parallel to a fence, and then cross it. The walk still goes through the meadow of daisies and occasional ñirres. It will continue along a marshy area located to the right of the path. After about 25 minutes, it passes through a stream that flows to a tributary of the Paine River. Then the trail climbs along the river and becomes more rocky, while the first ''neneos'' arise, a curious shrub with a rounded form, as well as some calafates (possibly without its famous fruit, due to the frequent passage of walkers). After 250 meters, it will be possible to observe a lagoon with a characteristic kidney shape, at which point there is a sign indicating the route. It will then start a zigzag ascent along a section of screes, to an altitude of 400 meters, in the so called Paso del Viento ("windy pass"), a name well earned. At that point, the trail bends to the west, allowing the Paine lake to be observed in its entirety. From this point, you enter a wilder area of the park, and the path forward is clearly seen: the way to Coirón, the Dickson camp, Los Perros Glacier to the left and the valley leading to the John Garner Pass. To the right, away from the trail, Mount Ohnet of 1,929m can be seen. The path descends by the side of Paine Lake. Half way there is a small spring. After the second half of the lake, progress is retarded by fluctuating ups and downs.
An hour and a half after Paso del Viento you arrive at an old camp at Coirón. The place is deserted, devoid of natural attractions and is very close to Serón, making it a bad choice for camping. There is a small stream. Ten minutes later, we reach the stream that comes from the waterfall visible upslope. The trails then continues along the hillside, past a marshy area on the right. You can now see more clearly Los Perros Glacier. Dickson Glacier is also visible under the Daudet and Cubo mountains, one of the many drains of the east side of the Southern Ice Field, . A flat stretch follows, with some minor hills. Near the lake, you can see the unusual view from the north of Torres del Paine, and mount Oggioni (1,697 m.) to the left.
[[ImageFile: Glaciar_dickson.jpg | thumb | 280px | right | Glacier Dickson and Southern Ice Fields, in rouye to Dickson campsite. February 2002 ImageFile: Francisco Reyes]]
This area is marked with stakes, at whose sides there are numerous traces of the twentieth century fires made to clear grasslands for livestock. About two hours after Coirón you reach the foot of a hill, where there is an abandoned building in a marshy area. Only half an hour later you arrive to Dickson.
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 5h 40'
===Optional day: Dickson Glacier===
First, it is necessary to cross the river in a zodiac, available during the summer months, which can be booked at the campsite. A flag in the place gives notice of leaving trekkers. Once on the other side of the lake, walk up the slope to get on the path leading to Paine lake. To the left there is a hill and to the right the Paine River. The trail continues north around a rock plateau located to the left, untill it reaches an open field. The unusual north face of Torres del Paine can be observed, and the range that leads to Paso John Garner (the one that will be faced in two more days).
After 30-35 minutes you will find stakes at the left of the road, traces of an old fence. A sign indicates to "Carabineros" (police). At that point you should turn left and continue parallel to the stakes towards the Dickson glacier. The trail is fuzzy on this stretch, so it is important tofollow the old fence or the orange stakes, in a rather flat terrain. To the left there is a rock plateau. Then you will enter a wooded area, and in a short while you will cross a stream. After 10 minutes the trail turns to the left, towards a gorge, where a there is a pass. But our route ascends a hill and then goes through the side of a scree.
===Day 3: Dickson - Los Perros===
[[Imagen:Glaciar Los Perros desde sector Campamento Los Perros por Heinz Weber.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Glacier Los Perros from Los Perros camp, ny Heinz Weber]]
The day starts with the path marked by a flag, which leads to a dense forest composed mainly of ''lengas'', but also by ''coigües'' and ''notros''. After 15 minutes you will be see at your back Dickson Lake and the glacier of the same name. At 350 meters of altitude you must cross an old fence. A more mature forest follows, and a wooden walkway follows.
Then there is a great viewpoint in an open partly-flooded space. There is a small hill with good views. The trail turns left along the marshy area and then descends to the Cabeza del Indio River, where a wooded bridge. The track then climbs a muddy area and advances to the southwest along the Los Perros river valley. After about half an hour from Cabeza del Indio there will be a waterfall. The trail continues next to the river, with little slope, under the shadow of the forest, interrupted by occasional fallen trees and frequent streams of fresh water.
Two and a half hours after the waterfall a suspension bridge that crosses the Perros River is reached. At this point, Los Perros Glacier becomes visible. The trail climbs the moraine in a stretch where the trail becomes less clear. After 15 minutes the top of the small moraine is reached, boasting a beautiful view of the glacier and its lagoon, usually populated by floating ice. We also see the route to "El Paso". Go on along the the moraine.
The campsite is located in a ''lenga'' forest, at 540m. There is a small store, restrooms and sites for bonfires. It costs $ 4 '''All campsites must be paid in advance,000 p / pand you will not be able to start the hike if you can't show the rangers that you have a booking for each campsite on consecutive nights.'''
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 4h 20'
====Side hike to Punta Puma Glacier====
From Los Perros, follow the track that leads to the pass. After crossing the river by the bridge, continue straight along the river O'Brien instead of turning left towards the pass. You will walk by the river in a space devoid of vegetation. When it's no longer possible to continue on this course, make your re-entry to the forest. The trail is blurred and it lacks signs, but it's easy enough to advance parallel to the river, under the shade of a dense forest. Then you will walk up a hillside and the river will be visible down, in a narrow bed.
After about 25 minutes, you will reach an area of scrubby vegetation growing on the moraine, from which point the Punta Puma glacier is already visible.
* '''Total expected time for this section''': 1h to the glacier, 45' back
===Day 4: Los Perros - Paso John Gardner - Guardas===[[imagen:Paso_John_Garner.jpg|thumb|280px|right|To John Gardner pass, looking west. Feb. de 2002. ImageFile: Francisco Reyes]]
This is the hardest day. From Los Perros continue down the path across the river by the footbridge. Then turn left, heading towards the Pass. The trail has been marked in the trees for some stretch. Then cross a swampy area (it's the only part of the whole trek where gaiters would de helpful) that will last for the next hour. There are some open areas with good views.
After an hour and a half, at 760m, the trails approaches the Paso river, Cross guided by the orange markings on a narrower section. It is important to get this place right, because it is not easy to cross at other points. The path continues climbing on the other side of the river, leaving behind the swampy area. Now it is usually windy, and the terrain rocky, with the orange markings on the rocks. From several hundred meters below the pass, it becomes likely to find snow even in the summer months. If there is rain forecasted for the park, it is likely that here it will snow. [[ImageFile: Glaciar_grey_bajando_del_paso.jpg | thumb | 280px | right | Glacier Grey and Southern Ice Fields from the drop step. Feb. 2002 ImageFile: Francisco Reyes]] John Gardner pass is at 1200 m., 1 ½ hours beyond the river crossing. It allowes to cross the massif of the Cordillera del Paine to the western sector of the park. The views of the Southern Ice Fields and Grey Glacier are spectacular, so, coupled with the possibility of snowfall described, it is strongly suggested to do it only with good weather. There are orange rods that serve to guide the way when the weather worsens the visibility. The descent follows a moraine, always with stunning view. The retreat of the glacier can be appreciated: the former nunatak is now a peninsula, and has recently appeared a second nunatak. After 15 minutes of descent, at 950m. the first glimpses of vegetation appear, with some ''lengas'' dwarfed and bent by the wind. As you walk through the forest, the glacier is visible through the branches. The descent is steep and demanding.
At 550 m. and after just under 2 hours of descent, an old camp sector is reached. It's a rather narrow place, nestled among the trees, indicated by the sign "Camp El Paso." Continue in a southerly direction parallel to the glacier. There are some areas with large ''lengas''.
===Day 5: Guardas - Paine Grande===
[[Imagen:A_los_guardas.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Ropes help in the Grey Glacier area]]
From Los Guardas the route continues through the forest. After 35 minutes a viewpoint of Grey Glacier is reached. Then the trail leaves the glacier and takes us through forest. An hour and a half from Los Guardas there is a signposted junction leading to the ''refugio'' and to the trail that leads to the viewpoint.
===Day 6: Paine Grande - Valle del Francés===
{{Paine Grande - Valle del Francés_enFrances en}}
===Day 7: Valle del Francés - Hostería Las Torres (Los Cuernos del Paine)===
{{Valle del Francés Frances - Hostería Hosteria Las Torres_enTorres en}}
===Day 8: Torres del Paine (2 days if you extend it to [[Valle del Silencio]])===
{{Base de Las Torres_en}}
*'''Total expected time for this section''': Three and a half hours up, two hours return, plus the well deserved time off to take pictures in the gazeboviewpoint.
===Total expected time for the whole Torres del Paine circuit===
===Recommended gear===
* Shoes: Leather. Ideally, without patches of cloth inserts, or with waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, since you can find will have to deal with muddy areas, and snow and /or heavy rains during the tourare not uncommon. The sole should be deep and possibly with taco because the ground is slippery. It is recommended to wear two pairs of socks, a first thin pair and a non-absorbent material. The second pair Soles must be thick in good condition to shelter and protect from rubbingface slippery ground. * Clothing: The climate in the area is very variable, from a warm sunny morning and an afternoon with snow and freezing temperaturesWeather varies quickly. You must use Use hollow synthetic undergarments hollow fiber will fibers as first layer, as they do not absorb water and keep the temperature never use . Avoid cotton or jeans. A proven jacket Waterproof and waterproof trousers are absolutely necessary, hopefully be breathable (Gore Tex jacket or similar)pants are a must. They should wear * Hats: one for the sun hats and one for the cold. * GlassesSunglasses: must have effective protection against UV raysprotection, since the ozone layer is weakened in this region the ozone layer that filters they are too weak. Ranges from 95% to 97% efficiency are recommended. * Canes: a pair of ski poles or hiking can be quite useful when I loaded walking difficult paths. * Backpack: must be comfortable and roomy enough spacious, to carry all the equipment inside. You should consider a backpack rain covers or carry all wrapped in plastic bagsavoid carrying hanging gear. Do not forget to bring your raincover* Tent: the winds are very strong and are commonly found in rain and snowfall Patagonia: The tent should It doesn't have to be an impermeable cubretecho must be sturdyexpensive technical tent, aluminum masts and hopefully have at least four good winds to affirm in but a storm. self-deployed beach tent is not enough for patagonian gusts* KitStove: must contain the following items: sunscreenlight, rehydration salts, coal, sulfaguanidine, aspirin propane or similar painkillersgas. Avoid heavy camping stoves designed for motorized camping. The pots should also be light, Band-Aidnot ordinary domestic pots * Headlamp * Sleeping bag: Torres del Paine is not very cold during the summer, adhesive dotsso a midrange sleeping bag is okey * Sunscreen * Penknife, scissorslightweight plastic cookware ==== Desirable gear ==== * Poles: a pair of trekking poles, tweezers, safety pins, liquid or cream disinfectantski poles if the former is not available, bandages, tape adhesive, thermometersare often useful, gauze especially for descents and to clean wounds. cross streams * GPS or, alternatively, Compass: Fully expendablelacking that, but desirablea compass. The combination of With GPS and [[Media:Trekking_Torres_del_Paine.kmz|the KMZ route that can be downloaded from this page becomes even file]] navigation is easier orientation in a , although the circuit that usually presents no do not present any difficulty orientationto manage without GPS. A pen for records * Trekking socks trail: It is also desirableadvisable to wear specialized socks. * Carry or gas stove white gas, light cooking potsAfter 8 days of walking, they really make a headlamp and a good sleeping bagdifference compared to ordinary socks. * Conditions: In Patagonia the weather changes very quickly, it is recommended to observe daily barometer and watch the sky.First Aid Kit
{{abastecimiento Torres del Paine_en}}
==Record de velocidadSpeed record==El récord de velocidad para este circuito (O+W) fue impuesto por el estadounidense 18:30, by Andy Tubbs el 28 de febrero de 2007: 18 horas y 30 minutosfrom the U.S. [http://www.mer.cl/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?dt=2012-02-19&PaginaId=2&bodyid=2 NoticiaNews]{{galeria de fotos Torres del Paineen}}{{Trekkings Chileenglish}}
