Patagonia 2024

Expedition members in front of Perito Moreno Glacier. From the left: Andrzej, Beata, Jacek, Piotr, Dana, Bogdan, Bożena, Magda, Holly and Mike. 

Patagonia is the region in southern Chile and Argentina, which contains, among others, three of the national parks that are considered to be among the most beautiful in the world. These are Torres del Paine in Chile, and Perito Moreno and Los Glaciers (Fitzroy) in Argentina. The region was visited in January 2024 by the ten member "expedition" of Polish Men and Women Mountaineering Club of Edmonton. The expedition members were:

• Piotr Rajski, Leader
• Mike Trzecieski, Vice-Leader
• Holly Kostecka
• Bogdan Kulik
• Beata and Andrzej Jędrych
• Bożena and Jacek Maciaszczyk (all Edmonton)
• Magdalena Klasik (Katowice, Poland)
• Dana Maciejewska (England)

Below you will find links to the photostories I had published on Facebook during the trip. Written ad hoc they were more intended to express the excitements of the trip rather than to provide factual information. I also tried to keep them as humorous as possible. Nevertheless they may show you the beauty of the region as well as give you better understanding of some of the logistics involved in this trip. I will be happy to answer more detailed questions if you have them. 

Day 1 - 7 January - arriving in Santiago de Chile and trip to the Bahai Temple

Day 2 - 8 January - trip to Termas Valles de Colina (120 km from Santiago)

Day 3 - 9 January - flight to Punta Arenas, picking up rental cars, integration with the Team A+

Day 4 - 10 January - drive to Refugio Laguna Amarga (Goiien House) near Torres del Paine Park

Day 5 - 11 January - Torres del Paine - hikes to Salto Grande, Mirador Cuernos, Mirador Condor and Lago Grey

Day 6 - 12 January - hike to the Base of Torres (24 km, +1100 m, 10 hrs)

Day 7 - 13 January - drive to El Calafate (Argentina)

Day 8 - 14 January - visit to Perito Moreno Glacier

Day 9 - 15 January - drive to El Chalten, Mirador Los Condores

Day 10 - 16 January - hike to Laguna de Los Tres (22 km, +1000 m, 10 hrs)

Day 11 - 17 January - hike to Chorillo del Salto

Day 12 - 18 January - hike to Laguna Torre 

Day 13 - 19 January - hike to Huemul Lake, drive to El Calafate

Day 14 - 20 January - drive to Puerto Natales (Chile)

Day 15 - 21 January - drive to Fuerto Bulnes, return to Punta Arenas

Day 16 - 22 January - return of cars, flight to Santiago de Chile

Day 17 - 23 January - explorations in Santiago de Chile (Team A+ in Rio de Janeiro)

Day 18 - 24 January - flights back to Edmonton and Europe

Great thanks to all the participants for fantastic atmosphere during the trip as well as permission to use their photos or videos.