Tuesdy the 8th of April 2003 – Day 49
Got up at 9.00 and had breakfast. Hired a bike for 1,000 CP for every hour which was quite reasonable. I hired the bike from Patagonia Adventure Bikes (Thimas Rogers 179) or email padventure@hotmail.com. I cycled out to Puerto BORIES. This large industrial complex was founded in 1913 by the Sociedad Explotadora Tierra del Fuego (Society for Exploiting Tierra del Fuego) in order to process sheep products from three large ranches in the area. Today, it functions as a meat processing plant and a slaughterhouse. As you can imagine, not great viewing. Lorries were coming in and out. They are transported away via the sea.
Next I went to the airport. As you can see below, very little happening.
I then went to the Milodon Cave. Entrance was 3,000 CP. Located 24 Km north of Puerto Natales, this natural monument is composed of three caves and a rock formation known as the Silla del Diablo (Devil’s Seat). The main cave is 150 meters above sea level, and it measures 30 meters high, 80 meters long and 200 meters deep.
In 1896 the scientific world was fascinated by the discovery in this cave of the skin, bones and other parts of an extinct animal, the milodon (Mylodon Darwini). Scientists originally believed the remains to be fresh, indicating that the animal still existed. But later test proved that the remains were thousands of years old. The milodon, a very large herbivore, is believed to have died out at the end of the Pleistocene era.
Just before the access road reaches the cave, it passes the Silla del Diablo. This huge rock formation looks like an enormous chair. When the milodon remains were discovered in this area, a folk tale was born that this was the milodon’s seat. Over time, the devil took the place of the milodon in the rock formation’s name.
I cycled back towards town but took a side road to Mirador Dorotea hill. I didn’t climb it as was getting dark, but it is supposed to be great views of the straits. I saw the following religious site there.
I cycled back to town. Even though it was downhill, because of the very strong winds, I had to pedal. Very windy all the way back (11km), and was very tired when I delivered the bike back. I went to bed for 2 hours!. I got up and went to town to write up the blog.
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Puerto Natales
Taken on the 8th of April 2003
Shot of the Virgin Mary overlooking the town.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
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Puerto Natales
Taken on the 8th of April 2003
Shot of a religious site with 2 litre soft drink bottles.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Wednesday the 9th of April 2003 – Day 49
The bus arrived at 7.30am to take us to the National Park. A Bristol couple from Bristol were also going. This national park is the major tourist attraction in the region. It covers 181,000 hectares on the Seno de Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Inlet). The park was created in 1959 and declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. The name “Paine” comes from a Tehuelche indian word meaning “blue”.
There are many hikings paths that cross widely differing types of terrain, such as pampas and thick Magellanic forests, and run along lakes with huge glaciers and icebergs.
The park is surrounded by huge, craggy mountains, including the famous “Cuernos del Paine” (Paine Horns). The park is located 150 kms. from Puerto Natales and 400 kms. from Punta Arenas.
At the entrance, informative park guards can help plan hikes using a detailed map of the park. The entrance fee to foreigners is 8,000 CP. More information on the park here .
Map of the area. Also shows the some of the sites I visited including (08-04-2003)
It was a long day, and only arrived back t 7.30pm in the evening. It was go, go, go as the pàrk is 180,000 hectares and we had a lot of ground to cover. We only had a 30 minute lunch break and about 30 minutwes at each major site, where we walked to.
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Torres Del Paine Park
Taken on the 9th of April 2003
The three Towers of Paine (Spanish: Torres del Paine) in southern Chile are gigantic granite monoliths shaped by the forces of glacial ice. They are located in Patagonia, 400 km (244 miles) north of Punta Arenas, and about 2,500 km south of the capital Santiago.
The Central Tower of Paine (about 3,400 m or 11,000 feet) is the highest of the three. It was first climbed in 1963 by Chris Bonington and Don Whillans.
The North Tower of Paine was first climbed by Guido Monzino and the South Tower of Paine by Armando Aste.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
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Torres Del Paine Park
Taken on the 9th of April 2003
The Torres del Paine National Park, declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO in 1978, is located there. The national park is a popular hiking destination. There are clearly marked paths and many refugios which provide shelter and basic services. Views are breathtaking. Hikers can opt for a day trip to see the towers, walk the popular “W” route in about five days, or trek the full circle in 8-9 days. It is a national park and thus hikers are not allowed to stray from the paths. Camping is only allowed at specified campsites.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
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Torres Del Paine Park
Taken on the 9th of April 2003
The Torres del Paine National Park.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
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Torres Del Paine Park
Taken on the 9th of April 2003
The Torres del Paine National Park.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
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Torres Del Paine Park
Taken on the 9th of April 2003
The Torres del Paine National Park.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
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Torres Del Paine Park
Taken on the 9th of April 2003
The Torres del Paine National Park.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size