Surrounded by myths, solitude, peace and mystery, mountains, rivers and valleys, Patagonia - “the end of the earth” is considered one of the most exquisite tourist destinations in the world.
A climber conquers the northern peak of Patagonia. Photo: Rolando Garibotti
Located in southern Chile, the Patagonia region is a little-known tourist paradise with some of the most beautiful and enchanting forests, bays, caves, glaciers, hot springs… on earth.
Patagonia is the land at the end of the Americas. This land was discovered by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and named after the tribe that lived here in the 16th century. Today, Patagonia belongs to the territory of two countries, Chile and Argentina. It is considered the land at the end of the world because geographically it is closest to the South Pole (about 1000 km).
Patagonia is also considered a paradise for mountaineers. This is a large area in the South of America, home to the highest mountains on the planet and the weather is extremely extreme. There are ancient granite mountains and conquering Patagonia is always a dream of mountaineers. With glaciers, high mountain lakes, and lush green forests, Patagonia becomes an extremely unique and attractive destination. There are exciting adventures, but no less adventurous, adventurous, and dangerous waiting for tourists who love to conquer. Conquering Patagonia, like conquering yourself, to go through a great adventure and requires patience, preparation, experience and time.
The Andes Mountains run along Patagonia, like a wall from Bariloche to El Chaltesn in Argentina and Coyhaique to Torres del Paine in Chile, the Patagoinian Andes are a treasure trove for climbers seeking peace, solitude, and adventure.
Dawn breaks over Fitz Roy, a mountain in the Southern Patagonian. Photo: Dan Fafla
“Patagonia is an adventurous terrain with huge walls of unique and rugged mountains,” said climber Javier Reyes Jerez, who has spent six summers in Torres del Paine. “We will conquer and explore this place step by step.”
Horacio Gratton, 41, explores the famous peaks, having conquered Pueblo at the age of 18. Did you know that here you can experience the brutality of the mountains, there are unexplored valleys and mountains without peaks.”
A climber attempts to reach the summit of La Calavera - Patagonia's Piedra Parada. Photo: Marcos Ferro
In Patagonia, you can easily find yourself hiking alone. “I think in other places, if you go solo, you’re going to have a hard time in the wilderness,” says Zehren. “But in Patagonia, if you want to, you can be completely alone!”
Patagonia has a unique weather system, often rainy, windy, gusty, and occasionally sunny, often emotional. Patagonia is nature in its purest form, says Gratton, a wild and challenging environment, with relentless winds, rolling, snowy mountains, and forests combined into one giant desert and ocean.
When the wind shifts from west to east, the Andes will be a challenging obstacle. Climber Zehren said, even when the weather is good, you will still face many challenges, climbing makes you feel comfortable but here, more than that, you will receive countless lessons. Don't be too afraid, don't back down, even though it is wind, rain, snow, cold, and dangerous, but happiness will always be present because of the beauty of Patagonia and the mysteries of the mountains.
A climber shines a flashlight on a snowy mountain in the Torres Range of Patagonia. Photo: Jonathan Griffith
For Gratton: “For me, the mountains of Patagonia are unrivaled, the rock faces, the rich natural environment, the giant glaciers, the primeval forests, the vast deserts, the Patagonian coast with penguins and whales, the hospitable towns, make Patagonia a great destination. Conquering Patagonia does not mean conquering a specific mountain, but conquering yourself!”
A trekker in Torres del Paine National Park. This Biosphere Reserve was recognized by Unesco in 1978 and has four different ecological environments: Andanan Melaleuca, Magellanic Forest, Patagonian Carpet and Andean Desert. Photo: Janis Miglavs
