Adios Patagonia

I can't believe it's been well over a month since I crossed the 42nd parallel and headed south for my Patagonia trip... and like all good things, this must come to an end too

After a couple of adventurous weeks, I decided to relax over Christmas in Patagonia's Lake District area, around Bariloche, El Bolson and San Martin de Los Andes
After three days of torrential rain (i really wanted a summery xmas!), the sun finally came out again, allowing me to shoot some amazing landscapes... but fear not, no more glaciers, only beautiful summer lakes...

Bariloche and el camino de los siete lagos

Can you see a face?

Along the Chilean fjords

Three days in a ferry northbound

The boat trip along the Chilean fjords, from Puerto Natales in Chile to Puerto Montt up north at the start of Patagonia, has revealed amazing landscapes, ever changing skies and also at times, a very rough navigation on the Pacific ocean! (why is it called pacific??)
In three days, i have made all my way up at the same latitude of where my trip in Patagonia started, preparing to say goodbye to this unique land.
The pictures below show these unique landscapes that are best admired from the ocean

Leaving Puerto Natales

Unlikely travel mates (feel really sorry for them)

The fjords

Snowpeaks towards the end of the voyage

Torres del Paine

Five days trekking in the park

At the southern end of Chilean Patagonia, this massive national park has everything Patagonia can offer: lakes, mountains, glaciers, nature and crazy weather!
The most popular route inside the part is the W circuit, which takes five days, sleeping in 'refugios' scattered along the paths.
Having walked about 60km in five days, I made it alive to the end of the circuit, but just about! The park is known for the extremely changeable weather conditions, and in five days I encountered snowstorms, wind storms, rain and hot sunshine, all while walking on steep and often rocky paths...
While some of the views were amazing, I would recommend this park only to those who are really passionate about mountains and camping..
The pictures below show some of the highlights of this adventure at the end of the world...

After one of the steepest walks ever, I made to the 'torres', the three towers  the park is named after

Walking along the beautiful park lakes

Lago Nordenskjold and Lago Pehoe'

'Valle del Frances', where the 'cuernos' mountains meet the glaciers, a truly amazing view on top of another very steep path...