03.06.08 - Puerto Natales

Preparation in an Ideal Setting

Puerto Natales was a mystery to us all. It marked our official landing in Patagonia. The ship was literally “a buzz” with passengers packing last minute details, while chatting excitedly about the arrival and preparations for trekking in Torres del Paine National Park.



From a distance, this town of 18,000 residents seemed to be only a few short blocks long.



The tallest building in town stood only three stories high, serving as a waterfront landmark for many postcards.



Puerto Natales was first and foremost a fishing town, but has boomed with the influx of eco-tourism.



The docking methodology for the ship was really quite simple: pull the vessel to a “parallel parking” position, cast the lines to waiting motorized skiffs, watch each attach the thick cords to cement stanchions, then listen for the on-board winches to drag the ship broach-wise into the docking platform.  



(... neither elegant nor hydrodynamic, but it worked.)



After “checking in” to the hostel our traveling band of three Germans, two Dutchies, and a single American headed out to find all the details, provisions, and reservations for a five-day trek in Torres del Paine National Park.



There really isn’t much to this small town, but something emanates that makes me love it. A spirit pumps through the people in a positive vein. A cynic would say, “The residents are smiling because they are happy to take tourist money.” But, a helpfulness and contentment with their town is what I will take away. (I was a little sad that, in my hurrying around town, I missed taking pictures of the main square and church.)



One final meal, for our international bunch, was needed prior to the culinary indoctrination of almost 100 kilometers of trekking food.



The salmon was so awesome on the Navimag ship that a repeat performance was the perfect “last supper.”



Most of us had no idea what to expect in the morning, but we all knew that for trekkers of any sort, Patagonia and Torres del Paine were a life requirement.