Torres Del Paine National Park - Day 1

Clear day today, which apparently can be rare in these parts, so we decided to do the Torres lookout first and then start the circuit tomorrow. This pic was taken on the way into the park - Mr EG has blipped the view at the lookout.

Most sensible people pitched tents and dumped their big packs at the bottom and hiked up with day packs. We wanted to see the Torres at sunrise so we carted our very very heavy packs all the way up the valley to a campsite right at the top. When we arrived and asked what time we should go up to the lookout for sunrise the ranger laughed and said that if there was one worth seeing, at 4.15am!

It was a v hot and sweaty climb up the valley, and we then had another 45 min scramble up to see the Torres over loose boulders - but definately worth it. We sat there mesmerised by these three jagged peaks overlooking a lake. We decided to go up to the lookout this evening just in case the cloud comes in tomorrow.

One day in and my shoulders and knees ache and I wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew with this trek. I wish I was fitter but I am staying positive. I know if I go home and I don't do it I will really regret it, but at the moment I can't imagine another 8-9 days of this!