Patagonia: Torres del Paine Expedition Dispatch
February 17, 2018 – The Entire Team Made it to Patagonia!
After lots of flights, the team is finally together in Patagonia. Wally and Osvaldo were waiting for them at the airport.
The last time Osvi had seen Cliff Drever was when they had successfully climbed Aconcagua together in 2009!
It takes about 3 hours to drive El Chalten where they will spend the next few nights. There was still time along the way to make a stop at the legendary La Leona Roadhouse whose previous guests have included Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. La Leona was also known to the pioneer climbers like Lionel Terray, who made the first ascent of Fitz Roy in 1952.
Our goal today is the Hotel Don Los Cerros in El Chalten, our home base for the next few days.
The weather has been windy which is quite common for Patagonia, but fingers crossed that they will have a glimpse of Fitz Roy soon.
Team at El Calafate Airport
Scenic drive to El Chalten
Quick break along the highway for photos and some stretch
Cliff and Bev enjoying Patagonia
Linda and Jim experiencing the famous Patagonia wind
Stop at La Leona
La Leona famous sign showing the distance to several locations
Jim Alexander at La Leona
Linda enjoying a glass of wine at La Leona
Jim and Bart prefer a little snack
Denny and Robin next to the sign of Butch Cassidy’s reward – “DEAD OR ALIVE”
Bev talking with Carlos – owner of La Leona
Shopping time for Cliff and Bev
Robin checking out the local souvenirs
We made it to El Chalten where the Brazilian team finally joined us and the team is officially complete