06/03/23

Before I pick up the rental car, my home for the next three days, I enjoy a warm shower in the hostel. In front of me at Europcar is a French couple whose credit card does not work for the deposit - they don't get a car, the landlord shrugs. Fortunately, my card works. After 15 minutes of waiting at the only gas station in Puerto Natales (the other one seems to be broken), I start driving. After about 30 km, the asphalt ends and the potholes increase. However, the Toyota SUV drives quite comfortably.

Upon arrival at Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, the weather is still quite promising. I make my way to the lakeside, from there you can hike to a peninsula with a view of the lake and the glacier. Soon, cold and wet gusts of wind set in from the glacier lake, soaking me on one side in no time. I hike along the side of the peninsula sheltered from the wind, hoping that the wind and rain will calm down. But that doesn't happen. Still a very impressive environment.

Since three visitor-caused forest fires have devastated about one third of the park area, the use of gas stoves is prohibited, even in the gravel parking lot. So I cook couscous enriched with tomato, cucumber, and tuna in the trunk of the Toyota.