By far the most popular route in the park, the "W Trek" offers up some of the greatest scenic and dramatic landscapes on the planet. That being said however this also means it's the most crowded section of the park, especially during peak season between December and February.
From Paine Grande to Las Torres you are sure to encounter trekkers from across the globe, each having their own personal style, technique, and philosophy towards backpacking. Aside from the array of: trekking poles, tents, packs, boots, camera's, sleeping bags, and clothing you encounter; the one thing which impacts your trek the most besides weather, is people. It is beautiful here, even the most elitist and "trendy" outdoor enthusiast will agree on that. But when you're ascending the incline to Las Torres or heading to Glacier Grey, one thing that takes away from the surrounding beauty is the noise and presence of other humans a mere four feet ahead. It gets crowded, some move like the surrounding glaciers of the park, some move like the puma, and some move like a guanaco. The trekkers here proceed on all spectrum's of the speed scale and inevitably sooner or later you too, will be stuck going at a comatose like pace.
To remedy this sense of "human claustrophobia" it's highly recommended trying a detour off the W-Trek's beaten and well trodden path, but only with an APPOINTED GUIDE of course. Bader Valley lies between the Cuernos Del Paine and Paine Chico, and in between Cuernos and Las Torres, leaning closer to the Cuernos campsite. What looks like a mere game trail soon becomes a steep scramble and soon find yourself crawling over loose rocks, thinking twice about the decision to escape the hordes on the trail below. The route won't be sugar coated, it is tough, but absolutely achievable by anyone in moderate shape who's willing to tough it out. Take a breather and you're instantly reminded why you made the journey up Bader. A sweeping panoramic view of Lake Nordenskjold and the glacial shaped landscape of the park, with distant snow capped mountains on the horizon makes the view unbeatable. The camp lies in a pristine windswept grove of Nirre trees next to a makeshift hut used by climbers, which is quite cozy inside comfortably fitting 10. From the camp you ascend to the base of Cuerno Norte and are left at the foot of a glacier with a glacial melt lake at your feet.
You've made it, turn around 360 degree's and you have one of the best views in the park, along with something else. You're not surrounded by people like ants on a hill. It's just you, your friends, your guide, and Torres Del Paine in one of its purest and most tranquil states.
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