Torres del Paine trek

In our new-found pedestrian world we thought we'd better start using our feet for more than just going to coffee shops, so left Puerto Natales for the Torres del Paine National Park. To see it all we did 'the circuit', an eight-day lap of the massif. First stop were the iconic towers themselves, typically wrapped in chilly cloud and very bleak. Then the main trek was a mix of sights, initially through lush woods with the characteristic backdrop of snowy mountains. The highest point at Day 4 was the Gardner Pass; only 1240m of altitude but right next to the Southern Icefield and the stupendous Grey Glacier. This monster is 5km wide and a whole lot longer, although thinned by recession, and a genuinely awesome panorama. Further along the way the glacier calves into a lake, producing charming icebergs of infinitely varied shapes and colours. Sadly not the most practical souvenirs. The whole trip was an dramatic mix of raw, glacial mountain scenery and we returned thoroughly wind-blasted and imprEssed. And after a week of oats, pasta and crackers that steak tasted real good. Next: Back to El Calafate for a flight 4 April to the end of the world (Ushuaia).