Such an amazing hike, until next time TDP (10km today, 41 miles total hike) 12/26
Up at 3:30 because Stanford had to wake the group up. I can't wait to get rid of them. How are people so damn loud camping? We slept so well last night, even after Stanford yelled "Heather, Heather" all night again. We dressed and headed immediately up the mountain without eating or brushing our teeth. It was still dark so Andy led w his flashlight and I followed closely behind. We passed some older folks not using their hiking sticks properly (like most people). The hike was 1km up, straight up over lots of rocks.
We reached the top in 45 min and took another 15 min to do some bouldering to get the best view of Los Torres. It was very sketchy climbing over the boulders, even more so sitting under them w idiots walking above us and rocks falling down. It was a beautiful morning, cold, snowing, w the sun rising in huge east not yet hitting the mountains. We sat and waited but the clouds kept the sun from hitting the towers. After about an hour I couldn't take the cold anymore and we heeded out just at the sun hit the eastern mountain.
The hike down to Torres Campamento was easy. Andy got to the camp well before me and made us coffee. We took our time and watched Stanford frantically trying to get off the mountain. We packed up and headed first down to the Chileano Refugio and then up and over down to the Hotel Del Torres. It took us 2 hours to get off the mountain from the camp. The first shuttle was at 9 which we missed and since the next one wasn't until 2 we decided to walk another 8km. The wind was really harsh and my feet were still tired. Luckily a French family stopped while we were walking and took us to the bus stop. Just what I had in mind. The whole way we talked about what we'd eat for dinner, all the meat and wine to be had. At the bus stop we reunited w the Belguim kids we befriended and I gave them our contact info so we could hang the next time they are in CA or us in Belgium.
We finally got to PN around 5 and headed back to the hostel and took the best shower ever. Andy cooked our remaining 2 eggs and I washed our clothes in the sink. We secured our bus for El Calafate for the next morning and headed out for dinner. We were going to hit up the steak place Andy was so desiring but decided to save it for Argentina and we hit up Pizzeria Mesita Grande again because it's so damn good. For 27k Pesos was it worth it? Yes, it ain't cheap here in Chile. We hit up th grocery store on huge way home and stocked up on breakfast goods and boxed wine. That's right boxed wine and it was good, I think it cost $1usd, hehe. We managed to stay up until 11. Bus isn't until 8:30 so we get to sleep in and rest our wary feet! It's cold as shit here, the damn wind doesn't stop. It's supposed to warm up over the next couple days. Stoked about that. Peace out. See you in Argentina!