Patagonia Pt. 4

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Direct From the Journal: Torres del Paine “O” Circuit Day 3- Dickson to Los Perros

I am sitting at the base of the Los Perros Glacier. An icy green lake ripples at my feet, and a frigid breeze nips at my face. Behind me are giant rounded hills that wear lush forests at their sides, though their hilltops are grey and bald. At least, that means I have a clear view of the numerous waterfalls as they spill into the forests below.

Today’s hike was level and pleasant, lasting a little over nine miles, but I heard that tomorrow’s would be brutal. It would supposedly take six hours to get from the Los Perros campsite to the John Gardner Pass then another four hours to make it to camp. Considering the map listed it as a 12ish-mile day, the terrain must be aggressive. At least, it is only 2:30 pm right now. There is plenty of time to be off my feet once I get to camp, which is less than a few hundred feet away.

I wish I could camp here, though. I have never seen a glacier this close, and it blows my mind that I am the only person at this lake. It is just me, a tiny human, and a giant, gentle ice monster. Her millions of years of existence versus my 26. She is massive, baby blue, and crumbling before me. I just saw a piece fall off in a thunderous show of both power and vulnerability. Waterfalls spurted from her walls of ice until she seemed to piece herself back together. After a chorus of loud cracks and howls, it was quiet again. She was still there, in all her glory, exactly where she had rested for millions of years. Her crumbling made her even more impressive.

Oh, how much we can learn from one of the wisest of God’s creations, our sister, the gentle ice monster! The longer I sat, the more I felt that I was not the only living thing at that lake. Every blade of grass, every rock, every tree, every drop of water, and every piece of that glacier was created with the same divine energy that created me. All in the image and likeness of God in various, perfect forms, even in their worldly fragility.

The Los Perros Glacier was not simply a tourist attraction. She was a host who welcomed us into her home. She lives on our timeline, and she is just as vulnerable and finite as we are. But even in that vulnerability, she remains beautiful, mighty, and divine…just like you.

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Hike Info:

Campamiento Dickson to Campamiento Los Perros

• Length: 11.6 km (7.2 miles).
• Elevation Gain: 591 m (1939 ft.)
• Terrain: Dirt, small loose rocks during the final ascent
• Other Notes: Plenty of tree cover! Even though it’s an easier day, don’t take too long to get to Los Perros Campground. The next day will kick your butt and you’ll need all the rest you can get!