By Nancy Dorrans
“Great news- We have a spot for you to join us in Patagonia!!”
That was the message I received from Gabi Stowell, Adventure Travel Trade Association’s Regional Director of Latin America and the Caribbean on August 24th, a mere 10 days before their AdventureNext event was set to begin!
When the ATTA announced the event at an event in Oregon last spring, my heart skipped a beat! PATAGONIA?! This part of the world is full of wonder and opportunity, breathtaking landscapes, and rich Chilean culture! I had helped several clients plan their adventures there but had never been. Also, I knew there was so much more I didn’t know. I needed to go.
So, I applied. But I didn’t get accepted initially. I was crushed but understood. There were only a limited number of spots available. Then the call came in from Gabi and I was in.
Now I was in and in shock! I had to figure out what to pack!
It was late August in Maine, but it was still winter in Patagonia! I bought a new pair of hiking pants from Patagonia in Freeport to take to Patagonia, Chile! HA! A bottle of maple bourbon to share made the cut, along with a new solar powered water bottle/lantern, rain gear, layers, and more layers.
Patagonia is located at the southern tip of the South American continent and is divided into four provinces: Magallanes, Última Esperanza, Tierra del Fuego, and Antarctica. Our experiences would be centered in and around the Torres del Paine National Park in the Magallanes region of Chile.
“Reconnect, Reactivate, and Regenerate” was the theme of the event.
Adventure travel tour operators, travel advisors, members of the media from around the globe, were invited to experience the wonders of the Patagonian Magellanes region first hand and learn more about how we can matter. We began our adventure with a six-day “Pre-Adventure,” followed by a “Day of Adventure” and then two incredible days of networking at Río Serrano hotel with amazing food, wine, speakers, connections, and conversations.
There were four Pre-Adventures to choose from:
- Kayaking the Magellan Straight (difficultly level – High)
- Multi Sport – Hiking, Kayaking, Wildlife Watching, E-Bike (difficulty level – Moderate/High)
- Discovering the Last Hope Province – Hike, Kayak, Horseback Riding, E-Bike (Moderate/High)
- The W-Trek – Torres del Paine – Hiking, Ice Hiking, Kayaking (Moderate/High)
They found a spot for me on Pre-Adventure #4: The W-Trek! There are many ways to explore Torres del Paine National Park and several different hiking routes but the most famous is the W! I was eager, excited and a bit nervous!
The W Trek connects the best selection of Patagonia’s highlights.
Our group would hike from west to east, starting at the Grey Glacier, heading down to Paine Grande, up the French Valley, and then around and up towards the base lookout of the towers. The W is a non-technical hike, meaning you can hike it without ropes and harnesses. Non-technical does not mean easy!
September in Patagonia is like March in the mountains of Maine. The weather is cold and unpredictable. Our views were spectacular! Yet the hiking through pristine landscapes, past rivers, lakes, and rocky peaks was challenging, cold, and very windy at times.
Our adventure began on September 7th, but my journey started the day before.
It took about twenty hours via Portland, Boston, Miami, and Santiago before arriving in Puerto Natales. Lively music, local dancers, and the famed Pisco Sours welcomed us warmly!
We connected with our luggage and Pre-Adventure W-Trek guides Camillo and Baru from Chile. My Pre-Adventure teammates were from the UK, Australia, Spain, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Colorado, New Jersey, and Washington.
We spent the first evening at the Hotel Lago Grey getting acquainted and enjoying an amazing feast. I felt so welcomed by the beautiful and friendly Chilean people.
The next morning, we boarded the ferry to cross Lago Grey (Grey Lake) to the Grey Glacier. While sipping “one courtesy Pisco Sour,” we passed floating blue icebergs and had spectacular views of the snowy peaks and forests that border the lake.
Dropped at the base of Grey Glacier we began our W-Trek.
W-Trek was three nights of remote (pre-season) winter camping, trekking, kayaking, glacier climbing, condors, rainbows, eagles, fierce winds, and draw dropping views that literally took my breath away! The weather gods were on our side.
The W-Trek was epic and life changing! Stay tuned for more of my Patagonian adventure next month. I am already planning to go back. Let me know if you want to join me!
~ To be continued…
Nancy Dorrans is a professional travel expert and founded Adventure Marketplace in 2014.
