Torres del Paine (IV): Valle Frances

From Los Cuernos to Paine Grande, via French valley.

Distance walked: 17.40km

Time : 5h 17 min

Average heart rate: 126
Max heart rate: 172

This was  supposed to be one of the longest hikes in the W trek, in total around 22kms. In reality I did not finish it 100% as planned, because part of the French valley was closed due to risk of avalanches caused by the sunny weather.

The beginning, until the campamento Italiano is a quite an easy hike.


From here, going up the valley is challenging due to the rocks that have to be climbed over. The way goes up, and it is basically consisting only of rocks. This is the part where I think trekking poles do more harm than good - it is easier to move with hands helping either by lifting youself over rocks & keeping balance.

 

After a while,when the path gets out of the forest and rocks, a great view on the cliffs with snow on top was seen. This is where ranger made everyone stop until further notice - if the top of the valley would be open or not. This actually would be a great place to sit down and enjoy, unless the other hikers weren't there.

view on halfway at the French valley

 I knew I wasn't on top, but after 30 min waiting of the ranger and admiring the scene, I decided to turn back to continue to the lodge Paine Grande, the rest of approx.10kms.

If I stayed there, it would probably take another 1.5 hours to meet the ranger withe the decision to let or not let the trekkers further, and then around 2-2.5 hours of actually doing the valley.

The path to the Paine Grande is bypassing the Italiano camping, and turns right, across the river. I actually sat down by the bank and had lunch - trek'n'eat Strogonoff with beef. The mountain river was very refreshing and energising for the next passage of the journey.

The walk to the lodge was actually very easy, and fast. I managed to do it in 1.5 hrs. If I knew this while being at French valley, I could have waited for 1hour more to try to get to the top.

What i realized today was that walking alone in the park is intimidating because you think a lot, and mainly on mountain lions grabbing me by by my neck. That's a healthy way of self discipline in overcoming fear of death. I had to accept whatever was coming. I did accept. Nothing bad happened.