Title: Trekking
The fresh air surrounded me like a suit of armor. The purity in the air healed my body as I breathed in and out. The air was that of Patigonia, Chile, a truly spectacular place. 3 months prior, my family and I had been traveling all around Chile as most families would do. But we wanted to add a little spice at the end of our trip. We decided that we wanted to hike around Patagonia and stay in hostels along the way. We were embarking on a 47 mile hike in the shape of a “W” around the national park. I found myself at the first hostel looking at the beautiful mountains thinking about all the miles I had in front of me. They were scary to look at, almost like I was about to be the main character in a horror movie. But in all scary things, there is beauty, so I just had to trust the process. As night fell, a blanket of stars emerged overhead, sparkling like diamonds in the night sky. I was thinking about the adventure I was about to embark on, dreaming about the majestic peaks of El Torres, and our 47-mile odyssey.
The first leg of our journey began with a challenging hike, the trail winding its way up through dense forests and steep inclines. The trees provided a canopy that occasionally allowed slivers of sunlight to filter through. As we navigated the narrow paths, the scent of Chilean Hazel filled the air, and we could hear the occasional rustling of wildlife in the distance. Our backpacks carried essentials, and each hostel brought us closer to The Towers. The Towers are a national park that consist of three granite peaks of the Paine mountain range. Nights in the hostels were filled with laughter and stories. The hostels, scattered strategically along the "W," became our homes. As we moved deeper into the wilderness, the landscape transformed. Patagonia showed us its beauty, and every step felt like a dance with nature. We encountered fellow hikers along the way, forming a bond out of the trek. Our journey became a testament to my whole family. I was only 10 at the time, so my mental and physical toughness were tested.
The midpoint of our trek brought us to a high vantage point, offering amazing views of glaciers and pristine lakes. The beauty of our surroundings left us staring, reminding us why we went on this adventure in the first place. With each passing day, the initial fear of those mountains at the start transformed into appreciation for the beauty that surrounded us.
Our final hostel was at the end of the "W" trail, marking the completion of our 47-mile trek. Exhausted but excited, I stood in the shadow of El Torres, the iconic granite monuments that had shaded us over our entire journey. El Torres stood tall against the Patagonian sky. In that moment I realized that the journey was not just about conquering the mountains but about discovering the beauty in all that is around us. As we looked at the landscape, the freshness of the Patagonian air continued to surround us. It wasn't just a geographical destination, it was a testament to our toughness and a celebration of something many people couldn’t do, let alone a 10 year old.