A Very Honest Review of our Torres Del Paine W Trek Experience  

Camping in the snow | 28km in a day | Blown off ridges | Swimming in glacial waters

… just your average walk in the park…

Torres Del Paine BIG W trek is one of the best hikes in the world!!…  Trek with us photo by photo as we put the MAD into Globemad in the heart of Patagonia … hopefully we’ll have you grabbing for your walking boots by the end … or an extra blanket….

If this is something you are planning to do, we have written THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE PATAGONIA W TREK – seriously, it is the ultimate guide, we spent days putting together a post to make sure you have every bit of info you need to trek it independently.

Day 1 of Torres Del Paine W Trek 

Hop aboard for a beautiful cruse along Lago Pehoe. The snowcapped mountain backdrop over the turquoise waters starts to whisper adventure as you reach your starting point. As you exit the boat and your boots warm up, you find yourself immersed in breath taking scenery that you think could not get any better.

AND then you hit the top of a peak that descends towards Glacier Grey. This astounding view brought a unique feeling to the fore. When you are child, everything is new and exciting and you are often overwhelmed with the awesomeness of the world. Sadly, this feeling can lessen with time as things to start to look ‘nice but similar’. As I neared the glacial field I noticed my jaw had actually dropped and I was truly taken aback; I experienced that deeply delightful feeling of seeing something totally new for the first time. Of course the camera cannot capture that, but we took some pictures for you anyway.

Speaking of the firsts. We both took a dip in glacial waters!

Pete even made it to an iceberg to try out his surfing…

… as you do!

I guess it was a little chilly.  Not that you can tell from my cool composure!

… It was shockingly cold! I could barely breathe and I think Pete may have possibly gone into the first stage of hyperthermia. … but it makes for some great photos! Mad! Globe-Mad!

To geek up on the science of glaciers check out this awesome 2 minute youtube vine

Day 2 of Torres Del Paine W Trek 

After a chilly night camping, we made a warm huggable drink and wandered through the forest to the glaciers for a second peak upclose. We then set off on a day scrambling up rocks and trekking along winding trails that overlook the glacial lakes. You can stop to top up your water in most of the streams, which for some reason always makes me feel a little more Xtreme! As we neared camp we found ourselves pacing through stunning white forests before reaching the rope bridge that leads into the campsite.

We arrived at camp just in time to set up our tent before dark. With a tummy full of pasta we dropped into a good night’s sleep in our ONE man American sleeping bag. – I kid you not, Pete and I share a ‘large one man sleeping bag’; we can lie quite comfortably should to shoulder in it!

 Intrepid Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park Patagonia

Day 3 of Torres Del Paine W Trek 

Hurray! On day 3 you can leave your gargantuan beast of a backpack to trek up and down the Frances valley. We actually saw 2 avalanches on the way up!

After navigating through forests, across streams and up rocky sections that hardly deserve the status of ‘path’, you are rewarded with an epic view. 360^o of dramatic beauty.

These are the more impressive photos, as appose to the ones where we are been blown sideways off the rock in less than graceful positions…

 Intrepid Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park Patagonia

Day 4 of Torres Del Paine W Trek 

It feels interesting when you start measuring your days by Kilometres instead of hours. This one was around 28. Much of it was across large plains that are ideal for allowing the wind to pick up to 100kmph . We actually had to hold on to each other and lay low at a few points! Mad ! I couldn’t quite make it to the camera at these points, but if you look closely at the photo below you can see the wind actually picking the water up off the lake.

After we set up camp we were told the weather was tipped to change. So with blistered and bruised feet we made our way up to the Grand Finale. Scrambling up rocks and traversing shale you finally reach your prize.

Torres Del Paine

We hobbled back down to camp where we had dinner with some really awesome people. One of my favourite things about the trek is the people you meet as you pitch yourself against the trail. Everyone who had set off at a similar time to us and endured the madness of this trek had also recently returned from the peaks and was enjoying a much deserved meal and rest.

 Intrepid Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park Patagonia

Day 5 of Torres Del Paine W Trek 

The tip was spot on. We woke up to snow! After much needed porridge and hot chocolate, we downed our soggy tent and began the decent.

Truly one the best treks in the world!

If you want to trek it yourself, make sure you check out our guide on how to do the Patagonia W Trek independently.

If you want to check the latest updates on the official Torres Del Paine website is very handy.

Intrepid Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park Patagonia