W Route Day 5

Our last day on the W route dawned clear, calm and sunny.  The plan was simple: we had to be back at Grand Paine before 12:30 to catch the ferry back to the road for our bus to Puerto Natales.  So we set off at 8:00am and minimized photos and breaks.

Morning at Glacier Grey and Refugio Grey (foreground).

A last look back at the glacier.

Approaching Grande Paine through a burned section.

We made it!  In about 3 hours too, so we had plenty of time to make a coffee and hang out in the warm sun.

Thanks, trusty poles

The surprisingly stable catamaran took us back to the road in about 30 minutes.  I'm glad that we saved the boat trip for last, since the weather was perfect and it gave us a gorgeous view of much of the terrain we had covered in the preceding days.

French Valley looking MUCH clearer than 2 days before.

We had a great time hanging out with Oliver and Roz on the W route - they are also on an extended period of travel, much like us.

And with that, we spent a sleepy 2 hours on the bus back to Puerto Natales.  Some problems and delays getting into our hostel and getting our belongings were washed away by a nice hot shower and a meal with Oliver and Roz at El Living (good vegetarian restaurant in town).

The sun set on a glowing blue Puerto Natales sky, and we figured that despite the inconveniences and surprisingly high expenses, the W route was still worth the effort.  Especially during the shoulder season when we did the trek, since the trails were busy but not overwhelmed by hikers like they would be in peak season.  There is a lot of spectacular scenery packed into a small area that is relatively accessible to those of ordinary hiking skill.