photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Peiying Mo | profile | all galleries >> Travel >> Patagonia >> Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile >> The Towers and the Horns tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

The Towers and the Horns

Torres Del Paine covering more than 242k hectare is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. "Paine", meaning "blue" is the perfect description for the stunning scenery with constant changing views of the peaks, glaciers and the vivid colored lakes of blue, green and grey.

In the center of the park rises a granite massif of strange shapes known as Las Torres (The Towers), Cuernos (Horns) and Cumbres (Summits) of Paine, peaking from 2600m to 3050m. There are 15 peaks above 2000m. These are the remains of a frozen volcanic magma from 10 million years ago. Water, ice and snow have eroded the surrounding terrain to liberate some 1000m vertical shafts, creating one of the most dramatic landscapes in South America.
GoogleEarth view of the park - the massif is in the middle, the glacier on the left
GoogleEarth view of the park - the massif is in the middle, the glacier on the left		 We start our day with 25km/h wind, but the rainbow on the left promises a good day.
We start our day with 25km/h wind, but the rainbow on the left promises a good day.		 A swaying bridge over Rio Ascencio we must cross to get to The Towers
A swaying bridge over Rio Ascencio we must cross to get to The Towers		 Paso de los Vientos - Passage of Winds
Paso de los Vientos - Passage of Winds
Many travelers are hiking to the next camp; Lago Nordenskjold is below
Many travelers are hiking to the next camp; Lago Nordenskjold is below		 The trekking poles make a big difference as we walk the Rio Ascencio valley
The trekking poles make a big difference as we walk the Rio Ascencio valley		 A small bridge on way to The Towers
A small bridge on way to The Towers		 A boulder filled creek begins the long steep hike to the viewing area
A boulder filled creek begins the long steep hike to the viewing area
There is no path to speak of at this point.
There is no path to speak of at this point.		 One of the three towers is ahead of us.
One of the three towers is ahead of us.		 Alan is taking a break, the red dots are trail marks, but seem to be randomly placed at times.
Alan is taking a break, the red dots are trail marks, but seem to be randomly placed at times.		 The last marked red dot, I am almost there.
The last marked red dot, I am almost there.
Las Torres - height ranging between 2243m - 2850m
Las Torres - height ranging between 2243m - 2850m		 Las Torres -The Towers that the park is named after.
Las Torres -The Towers that the park is named after.		 Interesting markers on the boulders
Interesting markers on the boulders		 We spent about an hour here, finishing all 4 bottles of water and plenty of energy bars.
We spent about an hour here, finishing all 4 bottles of water and plenty of energy bars.
Trees simply sheared off from the mountain
Trees simply sheared off from the mountain		 Crossing another bridge
Crossing another bridge		 Narrow, long waterfalls lead to fresh clear water streams which we use for drinking
Narrow, long waterfalls lead to fresh clear water streams which we use for drinking		 We have to refill our bottles at the sight of first creek. We would have 12 bottles total.
We have to refill our bottles at the sight of first creek. We would have 12 bottles total.
Rio Ascencio
Rio Ascencio		 The rope is left there to assist travelers get to the next level of path.
The rope is left there to assist travelers get to the next level of path.		 Bridge across the Rio Ascencio to Chileno Camping ground
Bridge across the Rio Ascencio to Chileno Camping ground		 Laguna Los Cisnes - The Swan Laguna
Laguna Los Cisnes - The Swan Laguna
The Cuernos (horns) on the right and Cumbres (summits) on the left
The Cuernos (horns) on the right and Cumbres (summits) on the left		 Salto Grande - Giant Leap - waterfall
Salto Grande - Giant Leap - waterfall		 The no entry sign doesn't stop people from going there.
The "no entry" sign doesn't stop people from going there.		 Pier to the catamaran (cruise) on Lago Pehoe
Pier to the catamaran (cruise) on Lago Pehoe
Walk path with a full view of the horns and the summits
Walk path with a full view of the horns and the summits		 Time for reflection of a beautiful day we had
Time for reflection of a beautiful day we had		 In front of the Hosteria Explora - the most expensive lodge - $8500/7nights
In front of the Hosteria Explora - the most expensive lodge - $8500/7nights		 View from Hosteria Pehoe
View from Hosteria Pehoe
Bridge to Hosteria Pehoe
Bridge to Hosteria Pehoe		 The Horns are visible from the south and western side of the park.
The Horns are visible from the south and western side of the park.		 The clouds gather indicating a change of weather the following day.
The clouds gather indicating a change of weather the following day.		 The well built but very narrow bridge over Rio Paine to Hosteria Las Torres.
The well built but very narrow bridge over Rio Paine to Hosteria Las Torres.
Only 5 clearance on both sides - travelers have to change from tourist buses to small vans to get through.
Only 5" clearance on both sides - travelers have to change from tourist buses to small vans to get through.		 Rio Paine - the rain transforms the park into the color of autumn.
Rio Paine - the rain transforms the park into the color of autumn.		 At Laguna Azul camp ground, people are getting ready for horseback riding.
At Laguna Azul camp ground, people are getting ready for horseback riding.		 The eastern part of the park suffered a serious wild fire a few years ago.
The eastern part of the park suffered a serious wild fire a few years ago.
Rio Paine Las Cascadas (The Waterfalls) - the tree on the rock was pushed up there during heavy rainy season.
Rio Paine Las Cascadas (The Waterfalls) - the tree on the rock was pushed up there during heavy rainy season.		 A few variety of wild flowers thrive well in the harsh climate.
A few variety of wild flowers thrive well in the harsh climate.		 For a change, there is no dust on the road, but large potholes are still plentiful.
For a change, there is no dust on the road, but large potholes are still plentiful.		 We can't help but to check the beautiful view behind us on our day of departure.
We can't help but to check the beautiful view behind us on our day of departure.
The sun is warming up the landscape
The sun is warming up the landscape		 The Towers are turning red momentarily
The Towers are turning red momentarily		 Some flamingos are hanging out here
Some flamingos are hanging out here

comment | share
Eldar Kadymov07-Mar-2006 01:58
Geeezzz, your Nikon and you at the very best !!
click on thumbnails for full image