Cambios

Day 7

An enjoyable long night/morning under singing rain. After the rain stopped, I left at ~4pm and hiked up to the informal campsites right before the lake. I was planning to go all the way to Camping Neozelandés but watching the Cerro Castillo glaciers I could not resist having a closer look up there. I left my backpack and climbed NW through the boulder field, all the way up to the pass/plateau (-46.07005, -72.19438). Demanding short hike (1km, 400-500m) but the rocky terrain was actually holding well (no scrambling). Incredible views up there on both sides, and the glacier right below Cerro Castillo. I climbed a bit higher up (-46.06911, -72.19559) and spent 2h admiring the mountains with dancing clouds and the sun finally shining. I saw 2-3 spots that could host mountaineering campsite sites (granted you have a good weather window for the night and morning). Camped at (-46.07268, -72.18411), just along the path but protected from the wind.

Day 8

What a SURPRISE at sunrise! It snowed about 5cm overnight, the landscape is stunning and I'm having a blast climbing to the pass in the morning light and swirls of snow. The atmosphere is so incredible I stopped 1hr to contemplate it. The snow melted within a few hours and on the way down to the park exit, I finally met my first humans for the last 4days. I followed the river to exit the park, crossed the road until I could inflate the packraft. Still tight water levels, I touched the ground several times. But I made it to Rio Ibáñez. I was super fast! I topped 10km/h (6km/h river flow + big tailwinds)? Exited as indicated on track files and walked to town, staying at Nordic Patagonia, 10k CLP per person. Garden camping. Friendly, hit showers, WiFi. But street noises and lights are quite annoying after being in the nature...