Day 9- Base of the Towers

Dad and I chose different options for our second excursion day in Torres del Paine. I opted for the Base of the Towers hike. 14 miles and over 4,000' of gain to another epic lookout.
DSC02259 Up early for the next excursion. I'd be headed to the Base of the Towers lookout while Dad hiked Lazo Weber. Base of the Towers is the iconic trail of Torres...
Up early for the next excursion. I'd be headed to the Base of the Towers lookout while Dad hiked Lazo Weber. Base of the Towers is the iconic trail of Torres…
IMG_1580 We then took a beautiful drive past Lago Nordenskjöld and Lago Sarmiento on our way to the trailhead.
We then took a beautiful drive past Lago Nordenskjöld and Lago Sarmiento on our way to the trailhead.
IMG_1583 The trail starts at Hotel Las Torres on private land. You actually have to walk through a gift shop to get to the trailhead. There's only 3 of us today plus our...
The trail starts at Hotel Las Torres on private land. You actually have to walk through a gift shop to get to the trailhead. There's only 3 of us today plus our…
IMG_1587 A horse train with gauchos bringing supplies up to Refugio Chileno.
A horse train with gauchos bringing supplies up to Refugio Chileno.
IMG_1588 Nice views up Valle Ascencio as we steadily climb.
Nice views up Valle Ascencio as we steadily climb.
DSC02263 Crossing Rio Ascencio. Today's trail is part of the W Circuit, one of the most famous backpacking routes in the world.
Crossing Rio Ascencio. Today's trail is part of the W Circuit, one of the most famous backpacking routes in the world.
DSC02266 Made it to Refugio Chileno. There are refugios throughout Torres del Paine. The refugios are basically hotels in the mountains. It's peak season right now, so...
Made it to Refugio Chileno. There are refugios throughout Torres del Paine. The refugios are basically hotels in the mountains. It's peak season right now, so…
IMG_1594 There are also campsites at the refugio. Definitely some of the craziest tent pads I've ever seen. You better be careful getting out of the tent in the middle...
There are also campsites at the refugio. Definitely some of the craziest tent pads I've ever seen. You better be careful getting out of the tent in the middle…
DSC02267 The other two in the group were a couple from Palo Alto. We had a lot of common interests, so there was great conversation throughout the hike.
The other two in the group were a couple from Palo Alto. We had a lot of common interests, so there was great conversation throughout the hike.
DSC02268 It's great to see so much water flowing here after yet another dry winter in Southern CA.
It's great to see so much water flowing here after yet another dry winter in Southern CA.
DSC02272 A nice cascade not far beyond Refugio Chilena.
A nice cascade not far beyond Refugio Chilena.
IMG_1600 About a third of the way up the trail, we enter the National Park. Up to this point, the entire trail has been on private land owned by Hotel Las Torres.
About a third of the way up the trail, we enter the National Park. Up to this point, the entire trail has been on private land owned by Hotel Las Torres.
IMG_1604 Rio Ascencio flowing through the Lenga forest.
Rio Ascencio flowing through the Lenga forest.
IMG_1605 The Palo Alto super couple kept a good pace. For most of the way, we were actually dragging our guide along, sometimes forgetting he was there.
The Palo Alto super couple kept a good pace. For most of the way, we were actually dragging our guide along, sometimes forgetting he was there.
IMG_1608 A look at the beautiful, dense Lenga forest.
A look at the beautiful, dense Lenga forest.
IMG_1609 This bridge could probably use a little repair.
This bridge could probably use a little repair.
DSC02282 Some great rock formations, but the Torres are still partially covered in clouds to the left. I'm hoping for at least a brief break in the weather to snap a few...
Some great rock formations, but the Torres are still partially covered in clouds to the left. I'm hoping for at least a brief break in the weather to snap a few…
DSC02283 A zoomed in look at the Torres del Paine almost coming into full view. Like the hikes in El Chaltén, the last mile or so of this one is a steep climb up...
A zoomed in look at the Torres del Paine almost coming into full view. Like the hikes in El Chaltén, the last mile or so of this one is a steep climb up…
IMG_1638 Made it! The Mirador Las Torres. This together with Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are unquestionably the most iconic views in Patagonia. It's hard to rank the three...
Made it! The Mirador Las Torres. This together with Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are unquestionably the most iconic views in Patagonia. It's hard to rank the three…
IMG_1620 The weather never broke for a fully clear view of all three peaks, but the hanging clouds added to the ambiance. The peaks from left-to-right are Torres...
The weather never broke for a fully clear view of all three peaks, but the hanging clouds added to the ambiance. The peaks from left-to-right are Torres…