Introduction: W-Trek Day 2
Today, in the morning we will first go to the Grey glacier viewpoint, chill in a secluded beach at the ranger station and go on the end of the O’Trek to see the suspended bridges before going back to Grey shelter for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will trail back the 11km to Paine Grande
Table of Contents
Departure from Grey shelter
We woke up around 7am, took our food for breakfast trying not to wake up the other couple in our room and headed to the bar area.
We then sat and asked at the counter for a cup in order to make coffee as there was hot water available. We then had our breakfast and once done packed our bags.
We dropped them at the entrance of the shelter and headed out around 9:16am.
North of Grey shelter
Glacier viewpoint
We first passed the camping area and then walked 15min toward the Glacier viewpoint. Once there, we walked another 5min to get a bit around the area and see more of the glacier.
There we had grey view toward the landscape but the best was the colors of the icebergs around.
Secluded beach
We then headed back, and when we reached the road junction, we went down to the ranger station to see what is was. Seems nobody is going there as we were all alone. It was amazing, there is a small beach and the view toward the lake in stunning. We chilled a bit by the lake before going around and back up.
Suspended bridges
We didn’t plan it, but then we met people coming from the O-Trek telling us that the 5 hours trek from Paso to Grey took them 2:30min at most with all their gears and that the view from the suspended bridges toward the glacier are beautiful and worth it.
There is a total of 3 bridges and told us that the 2nd one already offers great views.
Well, we went there. We started this trail around 10:35am and arrived at the first bridge by 11:05am and the second on by 11:40am. The trail is nice and mostly up/down.
We crossed the 2nd bridge and then return the same way toward Grey shelter. We made it back by 12:10pm to the 1st bridge and 12:45pm to Grey shelter. Along the road, we saw some Woodpeckers, most of them heard them.
The first suspended bridge was super cool as you need to climb a ladder to get on it. Also both bridges offer great landscape.
Trail to Paine Grande
Grey shelter
As it was 12:45pm, we picked our bags and had lunch in front of the shelter. Then, we asked for a water refill of our bottle and water bladder, used one last time the toilet and the left around 1:25pm.
Paine Grande
This night we will be staying in a tent. So, we headed to the camping check-in, waited a bit, and got our tent with sleeping bags. It was spacious for a tent (the north face summit series, for 3 people I would say) but used.
Once settle, we went for a shower. Damn, that was a cold shower. We heard later that the shower was hot, so it seems either there was a problem earlier or the hot water is only open late.
The shower in the camping are more basic than the shelter but it was enough. We then went around the camping area and the shelter. A minimarket is also there.
A bar is in the 1st floor of the shelter. It is quite small and was super crowded when we pop by there. Paine Grande looked older than Grey, but the views are much better.
We then went to the kitchen and dinning area for campers and had our dinner before heading out to bed.
Check the next post for the full review of it.
Conclusion
Knowing the parc now, we would have left earlier that 9:16am in order to have more time in the end of the O-Trek
“Life is short and the world is wide, the sooner you start exploring it, the better.” – Simon Raven
Looking where to Stay before and after?
Unique Stay near the Park
- Lodge: Cabañas Lago Tyndall
- Tiny House: Torres del Paine
- Lodge: Konkashken Lodge
Or in Puerto Natales:
- Budget: Puma House
- Mid-Range: Toore Patagonia
- High-Range: Hostal Boutique Factoria Patagonia
