Santiago, to Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales or, The End of the World

Ok really, you have to break out a map if you haven't yet, of where we are. We are just about at the end of the world, the very bottom most tip of Chile. Tierra del Fuego is slightly more south but on the little plane ride and then the little bus ride, it was very clear that the land is narrow, the mountains are majestic and the ocean is vast and cold. We have left the sultry summer of Santiago and are snugly nestled in an airbnb feel "hostel" in Puerto Natales. From here people come from all over the world to go to the national park. Climbers (not us) come for the vertical slabs of mountain, hikers come to stroll the paths in the shadows of said giants.  We will meander this adorable town tomorrow for last minute gear and food to take on the trail. Our plan (four of us) is to dine and sleep in the Refugios along the well known "W" path. Our other four friends are going on a more remote wilderness hike and will carry more gear and food. For at least our first day we will start together (I think). Rain gear, layers, maps - we are pretty ready. One more leisurely day and then tuesday we are all off to our hikes. And adventures.

Santa Cruz to Santiago, via Miami

Up at 3:30am, shuttle ride to SF Airport with a driver who is eerily reminiscent of the professor from Back to the Future - got his life story. Peter, Jeff and Andrew showed the approprtiate level of interest while I counted the minutes to caffeine. Flew to Miami, poked around there for 5 hours, flew overnight to Santiago, got here as the sun was coming up. Peter was sternly questioned at customs about the 30 lbs of automotive parts in his luggage but paying an agreed upon tax allowed us to stumble to the hotel and crash for a few hours. (oh and thank the lord! Jeff brushed up on his Spanish)  Guess we were going to rely on pantomime otherwise.  Met up with Sheila and Deany, then Michael and Jane (the Brits) and then dinner at a fabulous restaurant serving Peruvian food. The plan is that we all fly down to Puerto Natales tomorrow (sunday) and then start into Torres del Paine on Monday. We will stay at a hostel before and after the week of hiking so internet access there. I may bring the little iToy if the backpack isn't too crazy heavy. It does have a camera..... and word games!  :-)  The weather in Santiago is summer. I'm very happy about that!

13 days and counting.....

We leave for south america in 13 days and we think about packing all the time. There's little lists everywhere and the promise of one more trip to REI. But first there's finishing the mailing project from hell (check) and beefing up supplies at his work so hopefully no real emergencies happen while he takes his first real vacation in years.

One thing on the list for me is to kickstart my writing (largely dormant these past few years) by resurrecting this blog. Since we are taking the iToy with us, I figure I will have no reason not to write, as time allows.  I also want to be able to send email updates to my non FB friends and so voila, here is one more pre trip launch item checked off.  I'll do a few small posts before we go to reacquaint myself with this site and to make sure it's working.

Back to the lists....