On our first full day in Torres del Paine National Park, we took a short, but very steep hike to Ferrier Lookout for an amazing view, then walked the beach of Lago Gray for a look at Gray Glacier.
1 We're up early for our first excursion out of Patagonia Camp, a hike to Mirador Ferrier (Ferrier Lookout). There's great views as we drive North along Lago Toro.
2 We stop for a photo of the Paine Grande and the Cuernos del Paine.
3 Some more nice views of the Cordillera Paine as we start heading up the trail to Mirador Ferrier. It's only about 2 miles to the top, but it's over 2,000' of gain, and the first 1/2 mile is flat.
4 The view South as we continue climbing.
5 Dad powering up the slope with one of our guides for the day.
6 Starting to get some nice views of the beach along Lago Gray, where we'll be walking later in the day.
7 The trail starts getting seriously steep as we get closer to the top. At one point, the trail is equivalent to a 1,600' mile.
8 Dad climbing through the Lenga forest.
9 Now we can see the top of the massive Grey Glacier in the distance as well as Lago Grey as we climb higher. Grey Glacier is over 17 miles long!
10 The view South at Lago Pehoé and some of the smaller lakes, each flowing from one into the next.
11 Made it to the top! More jaw dropping Patagonia views. This spot is known for having some of the best views in the park, and it doesn't disappoint.
12 A wide angle view from the summit. I can only imagine what it looks like on a clear day. But the cold wind and rain today give us a more realistic taste of Patagonia weather after the unusually warm weather of the past few days.
13 Panorama from the top.
14 Someone in the group took this shot of me on Ferrier Lookout overlooking the lakes.
15 The 360 view from Ferrier Lookout.
16 Heading back down now. While we miss being able to clearly see the Cordillera Paine, the weather defintiely adds to the mystique.
17 Made it back down. That was a steep descent. Now it's time for lunch, then we'll head over for a quick look at Grey Glacier.
18 Dad taking the rickety suspension bridge over the Rio Grey.
19 We walk down to the beach of Lago Grey. There's a number of good sized icebergs floating in the lake.
20 As we walk down the beach, we find some chunks of ice that have washed up to shore from the glacier.
21 Dad finds a cool mini iceberg, and I'm sporting my lobster fisherman look.
22 A zoomed in view of the face of Grey Glacier extending over 100 feet above the waterline. Grey Glacier covers over 100 square miles!
23 Made it down to the end of the beach. The blue ice is amazing, perhaps even bluer than Perito Moreno. Now it's time to head back to Patagonia Camp for a gourmet dinner!