Torres del Paine: Cifelli & Team Trek Through a Rainy French Valley
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Torres del Paine
The good news, there is a TV at Paine Grande that has the ability to give us some creature comforts like the Super Bowl!
The bad news, it was broken.
After some much needed rest the team got up early for what can be a long day. From Refugio to Refugio, it's not too long, but this is our first of two side hikes on the trip. Today, was up the French Valley. What can only be described as Alpine Jurassic Park is up there awaiting. Grand vistas, hanging glaciers, dozens of waterfalls pouring down the cliff side. Breathtaking views of Fortaleza, a towering peak to the east. Unfortunately though, today was the rainiest one yet. And so we battled the deluge, and waterfall on top of the trail to get to those views that were then only teased. We at least got some glimpses and how could we complain. The historically rainy mountains down here had been good to us so far.
We took what we could get, scarfed down a quick bite to eat and headed back down to where we took the fork up the French Valley and headed off to our second to last Refugio of the trip. Frances Camp.
We warmed up our hands and bodies with some tea and cards and are now tucked in the sleeping bags we dreamt about in the downpour.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
