Rest day today in Torres del Paine. Everything including internet is expensive, so try a quick update and wait with a more complete photo collection from Punta Arenas or even Ushuaia. Today I saw a coke for $5 a can and felt fortunate I had only paid $2.50.

Yesterday was a great ride to reach the park. We expected gravel, but it was mostly paved. Halfway we started to see views of the mountains including the towers (torres). I must have gotten 15 different photos because each time it seemed even more stunning.

Today I hiked up to lake at base of the towers. A weather system was coming through, so misty clouds and couldn’t quite see all the towers. Adds to the mystique though.

I’m camped in my tent. Most others are in shared hostel accommodations (there was a mix-up and a very long cancellation policy – we were given a choice and I was one of those opting for my tent rather than crowded together in a room). The wind and rain has come through some this afternoon. My tent does fine with the rain, though at a particular angle the strong winds almost fold the tent flat.

Schedule has been posted, we’ll have three days totalling 370km to Punta Arenas where we have another rest day. After that four days riding to Ushuaia. Some on the trip have “end game fever”. I expect some tough riding still, so focus on that first.

Our day from O’Higgins and some of the volatile weather here make me happy to be on a supported ride, even if I took the bus once or twice on the longest days. Still like getting out and riding what I can and enjoying this southern part of Chile and Argentina.