Winter on the Carretera Austral. Part IV. Cochrane to Villa O’Higgins

Villa O’Higgins, the end of the Carretera Austral and the start of our planned escape route out of Chile: a ‘wade’ across the multiple freezing water channels of Paso Rio Mayer (next post).
The last few posts are all centred around Patagonia’s favourite subject: the weather. But down here in Winter it really is the primary consideration for any day’s activity and it’s a topic that’s hard to avoid. … Several ‘rest’ days holed up in Hospedaje Ana Luz gave us time to contemplate how bloody cold it might get. Dropping to -10C and lower at night with undeniable consistency.

Snowy Volcano Villarica – Pucón

Previously, the idea of climbing with so many people may have bothered me but after climbing mountains, camping in nature and being outdoors for a few years, I have found myself far more accepting of crowds. The craving to get away from society has noticeably diminished and seeking pure solitude has dropped down my list of priorities. Before…