It seems appropriate to start our blog in the place where Pura Aventura itself started and that’s Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. Diego Martin and I bumped into each other whilst walking in the northern side of Torres del Paine National Park. From this viewpoint you are actually looking down out across the lake to Argentina on the far side. Just by the lake edge you can see the green roof of Refugio Dickson (basically a bunk house with bells on).
I love this part of the park. It is one of the quiestest and most beautiful parts of Paine. Bear in mind that as well as what you see, behind the photographer is the main Paine mountain range so this is a place of true 360 degree beauty. The scale of the surroundings are just spectacular – this is some of the most stunning walking in the world.
The waters of Lago Dickson are that incredible turquoise you get from glacial meltwaters (it’s the huge amount of suspended sediment). I remember bathing in that lake during my original hike back in 1994. We were camping rather than staying in the refugios so no showers for us. As each day went by it would get harder and harder to ignore my personal hygeine. However, when the only source of water comes from a glacier you can see, you know it’s going to be a pretty brutal bathing experience. After some days, possibly more, my nose won out and I submitted to the freezing dip. It literally still makes me shiver to think about it.
However, the memory which sticks most firmly in my head from this part of Paine is heading out one evening to brush my teeth standing on the lakeshore. I remember the sound of the water lapping at the shore. And I remember looking up to see the most extraordinary blanket of stars in the unusually clear night sky. The Milky Way was a clear brush stroke sweeping across the sky above. It is the only time in my life that I have actually ducked my head looking at stars – I thought I was going to be squashed.
Who was it who said that life is made up of moments? Well, I agree, and this was one of my moments. It’s a snapshot I can bring to mind which makes me smile and has the power to change my mood.
I like to think that everyone has a place like this, a moment. Where’s yours?
If you would like to see this place and are keen on a walking holiday in Chile then you need to walk the ‘Circuit’ of Torres del Paine. I hope the stars are there for you. Say hello from me, and thank you.