Chile | Footsteps Of A Tree

A window of opportunity

15/04/2014 by Footsteps of a Tree

As we summited the main view-point of Torres Del Paine with virtually clear blue skies and bright sunshine we realised how lucky we had been. Before our arrival the park had been closed due to horrendous conditions on the mountain passes and as it transpired would close again 3 days later due to heavy snow. With little planning, and without really knowing, we had a window of opportunity and we made the most of it. With its unmistakable cathedral-like spires, […]

Categories: Chile, FOOTSTEPS, PHOTOGRAPHY • Tags: Backpacking, Career Break, Chile, Hiking, Latin America, Mountains, Patagonia, Photography, South America, Torres Del Paine, Travel, Travelling, Trekking, Vagabonding

“Tell me lies… Tell me sweet little lies”

13/04/2014 by Footsteps of a Tree

Road Music – Disc#3 Greatest Hits by Fleetwood Mac. We had already seen some amazing wildness in Southern Patagonia but it was about to get really special as we headed out of Puerto Natales on Ruta 9 – destination Torres Del Paine. As we departed, the new year excitement and an anticipation of life to come on the road caused me to flick through my iPhone to choose some road music. I don’t no why but my finger landed on […]

Categories: Chile, FOOTSTEPS, PHOTOGRAPHY, ROAD MUSIC, Uncategorized • Tags: Backpacking, Campervan, Career Break, Chile, Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac, Greatest Hits, Latin America, Nissan Patrol, Patagonia, Photography, Puerto Natales, Road Music, South America, Spotify, Stevie Nicks, Torres Del Paine, Travel, Travelling, Triumph Stag, Wicked Van

Recovering from Fernet & Coke

12/04/2014 by Footsteps of a Tree

It was essential over the festive period to balance the effects of the toxic South American concoction of Fernet and Coke with a little exercise. So it transpired that the town of Puerto Natales in southern Chile formed a perfect 4 mile ish circuit for road-running. It was the first day of 2014. We had celebrated New Year’s Eve with some things that were familiar to us and some things that were new. Nearly all were good! Real ale from […]

Categories: Chile, FOOTSTEPS, RUNNERS DIARY • Tags: Backpacking, Career Break, Chile, Fernet & Coke, Jogging, Keeping Fit, Latin America, New Year, Nike, Patagonia, Road Running, South America, Travel, Travelling, Vagabonding

The Wind Blows

04/02/2014 by Footsteps of a Tree

It’s 5.10am on the 2nd January and I’m wide awake laying in the back of our camper van at the base of Torres Del Paine. I’m warm in my sleeping bag but the air on my face is chilled, the kind of chilled that gets your attention… In fact bloody cold! It’s not the first time I’ve been awake throughout the night but strangely I’ve not felt restless. It’s more that I’ve been awoken with intrigue as to what is […]

Categories: Argentina, Chile, FOOTSTEPS, PHOTOGRAPHY • Tags: Argentina, Backpacking, Campervan, Career Break, Chile, Footsteps, Latin America, Patagonia, Photography, South America, The Elements, Torres Del Paine, Wind

By The Fire

21/01/2014 by Footsteps of a Tree

In Patagonia, on the days when it rains and it’s cold – which we found even in the high of summer can be frequent – there’s nothing better than huddling next to a wood burner, starting a fire, drying off wood on the top of the iron and passing the afternoon with a pack of cards and warming drink (preferably alcoholic!). There’s some beautifully warm days in Patagonia but it can drop cold, icy cold, and throw it down with […]

Categories: Argentina, Chile, FOOTSTEPS, PHOTOGRAPHY • Tags: Argentina, Backpacking, Baileys, Career Break, Chile, Fire, Jack Daniels, Latin America, Mighty Boosh, Old Gregg, Patagonia, Photography, South America, Travel

Elvis is in the building

21/01/2014 by Footsteps of a Tree

When we were planning our trip to South America we decided that given the vast distances involved in Argentina and Chile that we needed our own transport, at least for some of the time. So we booked a wicked camper van for a few months. For anyone who hasn’t seen a wicked camper, they are all painted individually with graffiti art. When we picked ours up, it appeared we had landed ‘The King’. We are loving it. We picked Elvis […]

Categories: WHERE'S ELVIS? • Tags: Argentina, Backpacking, Campervan, Career Break, Chile, Elvis, Elvis Presley, Fin del Mundo, Latin America, Overland, Patagonia, Photography, Punta Arenas, Ruta 3, South America, The King, The King of Rock and Roll, Travel, Travelling, Ushuaia, Wicked Van

Footsteps Of A Tree

The Travel Notes Of A Special Time Backpacking In South America

Tag: Chile