Backpacking PATAGONIA, Part 1: Torres del Paine O Trek

I had planned to hike the O-circuit of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile in early 2020...and then that happened. The following year (2021)...same problem. The following year (2022)...same problem! Fortunately, I did get to Bolivia that year ( • LOST in the ANDES | So... ).
But then in 2023...FINALLY...the one, the only...TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK!
I also convinced my friend Chad to join me on this adventure (since he really didn't get to enjoy the Pyrenees after getting deathly sick and having to bail out on the fifth day ( • He THREW UP All Night ... ).
#torresdelpaine #O-circuit #chile #patagonia #backpacking #adventuretravel
How to Plan Your Own Torres del Paine Backpacking Trip:
If you have the patience and diligence, you can save $100's (if not $1000's) by planning your own unguided hike. To build your own Torres del Paine itinerary, follow the link below, scroll down a bit, and then click "Personalized: Build Your Own Itinerary":
www.bookingpat...
CAUTION: Always go into any hike with the knowledge, experience, and fitness level to give you enough margin to finish the hike safely.
The most difficult part of this trek can be finding campsite or refuge availability, particularly in peak season, so start many months ahead of time and/or aim for the end of their summer (Jan - Feb). Another advantage to hitting this park later in the season is that snow in the passes will be melted out; however, late summer or early fall (in the southern hemisphere) could bring more rain and storms, so be prepared.
The campsites, refuges and dinners in Torres del Paine National Park can be expensive, but the cost can reasonable by tenting and bringing your own food. Even so, don't be afraid to treat yourself. Plan on spending at least a couple nights in a refuge to dry out and shower, just in case the weather is cold and wet. Nine days in a tent in bad weather can really suck! In addition, dinners are a great way to meet people, and Chad and I met some really cool people along this trip.
The most expensive part of this trip is definitely the airfare. I recommend flying into Santiago, maybe staying a day to explore the city, and then flying direct on LATAM to Puerto Natales. The bus from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park will take a few hours, including the transfer station just outside the park. If you can't find flights to Puerto Natales, you'll be stuck flying into Punta Arenas, which is a much longer bus ride and pretty much forces you to spend a night at the entrance to the park (or maybe hike into the evening to reach Seron).
On the trail, the park service forces you to progress camp-by-camp along the north side of the park. This can be frustrating for those of us who like to hike 20 miles a day, but it was actually great to spend day after day with the same great people!
Gear List:
Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 55
Tent: Zpacks Duplex
Sleeping Bag: Marmot Helium (regular)
Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite (regular, wide)
Sleeping Clothes: REI Co-op Silk Long Underwear (crew top and bottom)
Sleeping Socks: REI fleece socks (discontinued)
Stove: BRS-3000T
Cup: Snow Peak Titanium Mug, 450 ml
Poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles
Shoes: Hoka Challenger ATR 6
Socks (inner): Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew
Socks (outer): REI smartwool mountaineering socks
Sandals: Target flip flops
Cap: Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap
Balaclava: Seirus Balaclava
Beanie: REI Co-op Polartec Fleece Beanie
Sunglasses: Cebe glacier glasses (discontinued)
Rain Jacket: Timmermade DCF rain jacket (custom made)
Rain Pants: Timmermade DCF rain paints (custom made)
Fleece Shirt 1: Decathlon Quechua MH100, size S
Fleece Shirt 2: Decathlon Quechua MH100, size M
Fleece Vest: Decathlon Quechua MH120
Down Vest: Feathered Friends 900 fill down vest
Gloves: Seirus Soundtouch Xtreme
Mitts: REI Gauntlet GTX Mittens
Stuff/Dry Sack: Hyperlite med, large, and xlarge dyneema
Water filter: Katadyn BeFree
Headlamp: Petzl Actik Core (rechargeable)
Power Banks: Anker 20K mAh 30W 2A2C, GoalZero Flip 12
PLB: Garmin InReach Mini
Watch: Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch
Camera/Phone: iPhone 12 mini
Camera case: LifeProof Fre'
Tripod: Joby GripTight ONE GP Stand
Drone: DJI Air 2s
Apps: Gaia GPS

[@ricardosegoviaaliaga8493]

Chile 🇨🇱... Patagonia and Atacama desert 😍

[@arturfauth7006]

great video! Brazil here

[@amyhrenyk70]

I love watching this! Brings back so many memories!

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

It was fun putting it together. Sorry it took 7 months! 🤦‍♂️

[@MariaisabelleNovo]

💐✨️🥚✨️💐

[@olyvoyl9382]

Amazing pictures, beautiful terrain. Spectacular adventure. You did it again.

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

It was an amazing place! I’m really glad I finally got to take this trip. 👌

[@MaddieMettler]

I’m doing the O in mid-March with a few folks and I’m so excited! Definitely hoping for weather like you had on John Gardner!

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

It’s truly an amazing hike, you’ll love it! One thing the rangers were telling us is that they sometimes close John Garner pass if the weather is really bad, so maybe keep an extra freeze dried in your pack in case you have to stay in Perros another day. They also sell chocolate, cookies, and cup o noodles there. As I recall, they take credit, but bring cash just in case. 🤙

[@MaddieMettler]

Thanks for the tip! We are planning to take all of our own food to cut down on cost, so we will definitely have enough food on us! @@MiguelGomezMountainRunner

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

Excellent, good luck!

[@bernardocarvalho6102]

Amazing you video bring to me a lot of memories (nice ones)! I did the O between march and april and I got such a bad weather in the john gardner. When me and my partner arrived in Los perros, did start to snow in the camp site and all along the gardner passage. Was fun crossing deep snow, but also little scare because the pass is not even the middle of that day hahaha.

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

Wow, that sounds like a great adventure! It must have been really precarious coming down the other side in heavy snow. I was afraid we’d hit similar weather, but the morning of it cleared up and we got an amazing day.

[@CRMHeidi]

This is a great video, thanks for sharing it! I'm planning to fastpack the O trek in November. Looks like you're a runner as well from your name here. Do you think you could've done the circuit in 6 days if you stayed in the tents they provide and rented sleeping bags?

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

Absolutely! For the most part, the terrain is not very difficult. The only part that could be hazardous is the descent from John Garner pass if you had to do that in rain or subfreezing weather. Just make sure you have shoes with an aggressive tread and sticky rubber (e.g., Vibram). But otherwise, if you’re not carrying a tent, bag, and sleeping pad, and just keep it light in the clothing (not sacrificing safety, should be a piece of cake. Though, I don’t know if they’ll let you do it in only 6 days. The min allowable might be 8 or 9 days. I also recommend staying in at least one of the refuges on the south side of the park. Pricey, but might be nice to get a break and have a hot shower. 😉 Also, you might want to watch Jeff Pelletier’s video. He fast packed the O recently.

[@olyvoyl9382]

How come you don't take me nice places like that to eat? Huh?

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

🤦‍♂️

[@rschneider17]

How high is that bridge at 18:20, really want to do this but I am a bit sketchy with heights 😂😂😂

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

Well, I’m not going to lie…it’s pretty high. And there are several of them you have to cross. However, they’re all made out of thick steel cable and very solid (though a bit shaky). 😅

[@Jmisslyn]

On my bucket list. I had planned on going with a tour company, but it looks like it's not too difficult to do on your own ?

[@MiguelGomezMountainRunner]

No, I definitely recommend going on your own, as you’ll save $100’s if not $1,000’s (depending on how boojie you want it). However, their websites suck, and sometimes they’re nonfunctional, so it can be a real pain in the ass. Also, spaces fill up quickly, so you need to start early. I’d aim for shoulder season to have a better chance at choice spots. I’ll post the links that I used to book our trip. Hopefully they’ll work for you. 🤞

[@Jmisslyn]

Thank you so very much !! @@MiguelGomezMountainRunner