Adventure | Patagonia | Puerto Natales

The Call of the Wild

POV: You take on a 1,000 mile hiking challenge in 2022.

Your reward to yourself if you complete it is a dream backpacking trip to anywhere in the world in 2023.

You successfully get in those miles and book a trip just 3 weeks before the departure.

Your final destination? PATA-FREAKING-GONIA!

As Biggie Smalls the greateth once said, “IT WAS ALL A DREAM!” You would think a year after an adventure, I’d be able to come up with the words to describe my trip. Spoiler alert: I still can’t. It brings me back to when I arrived home after spending 3 weeks in South America. The first question everyone asked me:

HOW WAS PATAGONIA? TELL ME EVERYTHING!

I stared blankly at them reminiscing on the entirety of the trip wondering how the hell I could even sum up what I experienced. I would pause for a quick second before answering back with a big ol’ cheesy smile and cliche answer:

“GREAT!”

“It was awesome!”

“The adventure of a lifetime!”

“Omg, Patagonia is so stunning! You have to go.”

The end. I would switch the subject and turn the question back on the other person hoping not to say anything else.

The truth is- it’s hard to find words meaningful enough to summarize it all. Even if I dove into all of the stories, day-to-day moments, and all of the little intricacies and nuances of the trail- I still don’t think family or friends would understand. It truly is a “had to be there” experience. But what I can say is that you can’t not be changed stepping outside of your comfort zone going solo to a foreign country and a place as extreme as Patagonia. It lives up to its reputation and is a whole different beast. Even as someone who considers themself extremely adaptable, I found myself constantly challenged and on my toes the entirety of this trip. I left Patagonia feeling a whole new energy and adrenaline that I haven’t felt in a long time, yet in the same breath a strong sense of grounding and peace.

The “Why”.

I waited ten years to come to this continent; a little less to come to Patagonia. Here was the sum of all of my experiences and life lessons of 2022 coming together. I had made it through the storm to head into another storm. Or dare I say, some of the planet’s most unpredictable weather and winds. Torres del Paine is infamous for its volatile weather. Wind gusts so strong they could literally pick up trekkers.

What was my story of what got me to Patagonia? I will tell you the I don’t know you version. The other version has many layers. If you give me a few old fashioneds, maybe we can discuss. Until then, it’s the cliff note version ;)

I studied South America in college and instantly became obsessed. I knew I had to go there. Fast forward a few years later, I move to Yosemite, begin my outdoor lifestyle, learn about Patagonia and knew it was a place I had to visit one day. I would watch endless hiking and backpacking documentaries and I found myself continually drawn to Patagonia. It was only a matter of time before I went there.

Fast forward to 2022. I start a 1,000 mile hiking challenge. If I complete it, I can take a dream backpacking trip of my choice anywhere in the world. If not, I would have to donate $1,000 to charity and cannot take any big backpacking trips. I have never set a goal so big. It didn’t seem like a lot at the time, but looking back I don’t know why I thought that was a great idea when I was still working. Those documentaries got me a little carried away LOL. Needless to say, I JUST completed my challenge on the last day and was putting up double digit mileage most of December to do so.

The two places I couldn’t stop thinking about were Patagonia and the Himalayas. I would spend every single day looking at pictures, videos, and researching what I needed to do to get there. I knew whichever one I chose, I had to truly commit because both involved a lot of logistics and travel to get to. I remember thinking of postponing my trip and maybe going to Europe in the Summer, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life is not to let time slip away. Do things while you can. I had worked so hard for it. And once I commit my mind to something, I will become obsessed with it and make it happen- no matter what that looks like or how long it takes. I always have. Every ounce of my being told me that Patagonia was the place I was meant to go to.

The Journey Begins

You want to know the best email to send someone? The one you write to your agencies saying you will be completely off the grid for 3 weeks and there’s no way to contact you. No auditions, submissions, etc. Hasta Luego! Talk to you when I get back! Second up to that, is being in airplane mode and completely disconnected for 12 days. Whew. That just does something to your brain.

I ended up booking my trip to Patagonia three weeks before I took off and going through a travel company: Venture Patagonia. I was going to wing the entire trip originally, but my Dad asked me to please go through a company to put his mind at ease of his daughter going to a foreign country by herself. I was a little annoyed, at first, as there was a SIGNIFICANT price difference in doing so. But in hindsight, I’m very happy I did go through them as the logistics of getting there and getting around were A LOT. Not to mention, I would later learn how much trouble other hikers had booking refugios, food, etc even 6 months in advance! Luckily, it all worked out and I was able to still do my trek by myself unguided how I originally intended, but the stress of transportation, language barrier, and all of the little details were taken care of. A true WIN-WIN!

Wednesday, March 1/ Thursday, March 2

Getting to Patagonia is no easy feat. I ended up starting my 21 hour travel day out of Miami since I was already in town for work . I didn’t want to fly back to Pennsylvania just to turn around two days later and take an even longer travel route than I had originally booked. I began my journey and overnight flight on March 1.

Miami to Santiago ( 8 h 15 min)

Santiago (5 hour layover)

Santiago to Puerto Montt (1 hr 45 m )

Puerto Montt (1 hour layover)

Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales (2h)

I was awaited by this beautiful rainbow coming into Puerto Natales, Chile.

There are two gateways to get into Patagonia: Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales. Venture Patagonia, the company I booked through, was based out of PN and that’s where I would spend the first 1.5 days before my big trek. Carrie (owner of Venture) was scheduled to pick me up from the airport and take me to my hotel when I arrived. I was told Puerto Natales airport was just built and only two flights came in and out of there per day. It was the smallest airport I have ever been to! As soon as I landed in PN, I was awaited by rain. But with rain comes……RAINBOWS! My favorite. They have such a symbolism to me for so many reasons. Carrie immediately greeted me at the airport and drove me to my hotel: The Veat.

My simple, but cozy room at Hotel Veat in Puerto Natales, Chile

It was a long travel day and the first thing I wanted to do was eat and have a drink. I didn’t have time to get a shower like I usually do post- flight because the front desk told me I wouldn’t get a seat at the restaurant if I didn’t go now. Welp…. here I go! The front desk took me next door to a place called Santolla. I ordered a Pisco Sour and scarfed the bread down as I awaited my crab soup. I know better than to scarf down Pisco Sours because those drinks will get you SILLY with a capital “S”! Finally, my meal came out and OMFG! It was one of the most delicious meals I had there. I’m not sure if it was the deliriousness of travel or the Pisco Sours that got me feeling all sorts of ways, but I wanted to take a walk down to the water and watch the sunset before I passed out. That is when I would first learn about the notorious Patagonian winds. I watched until the sun set behind the mountains and made my way to my hotel, showered, and fell into my bed. AHHHHHH! AT LAST!

I couldn't even feel my mouth smiling in this sunset shot in Puerto Natales! FREEZING!

Friday, March 3

Rooftop morning coffee views of Puerto Natales from my hotel

My first official day in Puerto Natales! I slept in until 8ish and moseyed my way down to the breakfast buffet. I still couldn’t believe I was there. The previous travel day never felt like it happened. I took my coffee to go and sat up on the roof top overlooking the city of PN and gazing off into the mountains and water. The rain started again and another rainbow appeared. I cried. LOL! It was the first time it felt real and it just got me really emotional thinking about the journey. I proceeded to head back to my room, get my gear all ready for the next day, and then head out to explore Puerto Natales. It was an extremely chill day just walking around town and seeing what it was all about. I also wanted to exchange currency and have pesos on me for the trail just incase they didn’t take card.

After my meeting with Carrie, I decided to have my last dinner before trail at El Brisket. This meal was chefs kiss! I drank what would end up becoming my favorite beer in Chile with a delicious burger. Afterward, I walked down to the water again to watch the sunset. I didn’t last long as the waterfront winds were even worse then the day before. All I kept thinking about is how brutal they were and hopefully it wouldn’t be as rainy and windy as it had on trail been since my arrival.

I went back to my hotel only to find out that the base towers were closed for tomorrow’s hike because the park rangers said there were dangerous snow conditions. Carrie told me I could move the hike to the last day, but I’d have to lug 21 miles. AND on top of that, make sure that I got back in time to catch my prepaid bus ride back to Puerto Natales. I wouldn’t be able to catch another bus as the rest were sold out for the day. She told me to sit with it and let her know by Day 4 on trail if I wanted to change anything. I was going into airplane mode for the entire trek and knew I would make the decision last minute and see how I felt when I woke up on the last day.

The Journey Continues

In the next blog post, I will cover the beginning of the O Circuit. Stay tuned!

Happy Trails! xoxo, Brooke