Day 2: Lodge Torres Central- Las Torres - el Chileno.
Distance: 15.75km
Time: 6:01hrs
We had some breakfast, which we ordered the previous evening after understanding we will need to eat something that's not the dry trekking food. For breakfast we got, as later I realized, a pretty standard Chilean breakfast that you basically get everywhere- couple slices of toasted bread, cheese, ham, a pinch of scrambled eggs, small sample size jam. Does not sound much, but was enough for me. Is it enough for guys ? Somehow I doubt it.
Despite the kind of light drizzling rain, we started the hike excited. Got our cameras to take photos on the way.
The walk till el Chileno lodge was not terribly difficult, despite some steep slopes, which we conquered with a heart rate bouncing up to 165bmp, average 128bmp
By lunch time we got to el Chileno, where we checked in, made our trek&eat food, had it. and then, after leaving behind at the lodge for walking unnecessary things (sleeping bag, extra clothing...) headed towards the Mirador les Torres, which is the post card picture of Patagonia, if not Chile.
As we climbed up, the path was leading us through the woods, higher and higher, the dirt path was changed by rocks, that we had to climb. And it was getting snowier, more slippery, as the stones were covered with the ice up there.
Since I felt quite well, I rushed ahead of Dace, who was struggling with the big rocks and her not really suitable to conditions footware. Then at one point , I saw her letting the guide from the lodge with his group of seniors to pass her. And I saw she was showing me that she's not going further. I was caught in a surprise. Shall I also turn back, or no ? With means of shouting, we agreed she'd be waiting for me near the big rock, as it seemed that the top was close, but very slippery. Before continuing, I turned around and yelled her to go down the mountain, so that she didn't freeze. I was not sure if she heard that. So I saw her in the green parka standing at the rock.
Meanwhile the senior group had passed me. I caught them quickly as they were moving rather slow. No, not because of them being seniors, but because it was dangerous. At one point in time I started talking with the last man of the group, named Stephen. He was from UK. He did kind of take care of me while continuing our trip, making sure i din't fall. not that i couldn't take care of myself, but it felt nice that I wasn't completely alone.
It was really freezing up there, the wind was getting stronger, my fingers started to freeze slowly. Thanks, finally we are up there, by the lake.. the lake looks magnificent, like from Lord of the rings movie scenery. Unfortunately, the Torres were not visible. So I took few pictures, waited for a few minutes in a hope that sky will clear out. Did not happen.
Meanwhile, Stephen had been talking to his guide about me joining his group, since I am all alone up here. But i knew Dace was still there in the wind, I decided to turn back and go. Alone. Not very wise, taking into account the slippery slope, but still, couldn't leave Dace standing there in cold for much longer.
When I came back to the big rock we agreed to meet at, I saw no Dace. I tried to call her name. still nothing. I hoped nothing bad has happened, and started rushing back, with a hope I would meet her on the way. I calculated that if I walked fast enough,I could meet her in an hour or so. So I started checking my pace on Garmin, in order to go faster than on average we would. Sometimes I even ran downhill. This is when I actually realised I should try trail-running one day, inspired by Caballo blanco from Born to run.
The forest or my mind was playing games with me - sometimes I though mountain lion was luring from atop, sometimes the green leaves looked like Dace's parka. Each moment passed, I got more and more worried, and was hoping nothing has happened to her, and not going would happen to me. I mean I wouldn't meat a mountain lion. I didn't really know lot about this animal, but I was told , you meet it only once in your lifetime..
After passing by several trekkers, I actually saw Dace, at the bridge, close to the lodge. That was such a relief, because I knew she's OK, and we I'll make it safe back to the el Chileno.
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