Donna Summer Endless Summer 02

Donna Summer Photos

A hiking trip at the end of the world is not something I would normally consider. I am a girly girl whose ears perk up at the mention of booking a "spa" or a "villa" rather than doing "rugged mountain hiking." The luxury travel magazines Travel & Leisure and Departures are my vacation planning sources. Nonetheless, my tennis partner and good friend, Donna, had planned a trip to Patagonia to celebrate her birthday and insisted I do something new and different for my next vacation. Always up for an adventure, I agreed to tag along.

Donna Summer Photos

Two months later I found myself on a 10-hour flight from Dallas to Santiago: the first leg of a trip that would end at Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile. Torres del Paine is a spectacular, unspoiled national park boasting a breathtaking mountain range, azure lakes, and magnificent flora and fauna. Located 1,000 miles north of Antarctica, the park attracts tourists from all over the world.

Donna Summer Photos

I didn't have time to do much research about the trip and had envisioned the hike to be filled with rolling hills and gentle sloping paths set with a spectacular mountain view. The Sound of Music comes to mind. However, instead of a relaxing walk through nature, the "W" Circuit (named based on the shape of the trail) was a truly challenging hike covering over 30 miles of territory in only four days. It was to be a grueling trip for a first-time hiker.

Donna Summer Photos

The rugged terrain and long hiking days were not the only challenges. Patagonia's remote location meant there were no TV, radio, and phone or email access available. Having zero communication with the outside world was daunting, at first, but soon became one of the most alluring aspects of the destination. Our entertainment was the untarnished beauty of the region. Pure glacier-fed springs with fresh water and magnificent mountains revealed nature at its best.

Donna Summer Photos

After a layover in Santiago, the capital of Chile, we took a four-hour flight to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the geographically long and skinny Chilean countryside. We stayed a night here before driving three hours to Puerto Natales, Chile, a small town that serves as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Here travelers stock up on food and camping supplies before heading into the park. Our group had food and lodging supplied for us since we had decided to take a small hiking tour arranged by an American adventure travel company that specializes in South American treks.

Donna Summer Photos

The first day was a four-hour boat ride into the park where we viewed a colony of condors, sea lions, massive glaciers, and an authentic estancia before stopping for lunch. After lunch was the much-anticipated two-hour zodiac boat ride taking us deep into the park and offering unsurpassed views of Cuernos del Paine, a part of a magnificent mountain range. It was beautiful ride but bone-chilling cold. Even the immense parkas the guides wrapped us in were not enough for the sharp Patagonian rain and winds in the open boat. And, there are no bathrooms on zodiacs. I found that out the hard way.

Donna Summer Photos

After our zodiac trip ended, we were taken to our first night at Eco Camp, environment-friendly accommodations comprised of private tents with two twin beds but no heat. Clean bathrooms with hot showers and delicious meals were provided. Here we met the other members of the hiking group: two ladies from Pittsburgh in their mid-50's, and a young couple from Tampa. Everyone was a seasoned hiker with the exception of myself. We chatted over a hearty dinner and went to bed early for good night's rest before the first hiking day.

Donna Summer Photos

Glorious blue skies, warm temperatures and a gentle breeze welcomed us to our first day of hiking along the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. I was advised this five-hour trek would be the easiest with rolling hills and only a few steep ascents. The azure blue water of this dazzling lake was my constant companion as I hiked along its path to our destination at Cuernos Lodge. It was a beautifully quiet day where nature was picture-perfect.

Donna Summer Photos

Cuernos Lodge was the first time I had stayed at a hostel. Each traveler is given a sleeping bag and a bunk bed in a room with eight hikers. No thought is given to gender or nationality. You just grab a bunk and hit hay. The lower bunks always get snatched up quickly as hikers are exhausted from the trek and don't want to climb one more thing at the day's end. I even politely asked a flirtatious German man to switch bunks with me as I was afraid of heights and received a solid "no way". It was everyman for himself.