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I left the Welcome Center hiking northbound on the east side of the massif. The trail followed parallel to the Paine River on the outskirts of the vast Patagonian Steppe. The environment was harsh with strong winds sweeping across the plains.
Most of the vegetation consists of desert shrubs and tuft grasses but even these are not without interest. Shrubs such as the Mata Verde produce white flowers with antiseptic properties that were once used for medicinal purposes. The Guanaco Bush sprouts with bright red-orange flowers and is one of the first bushes to bloom. Another unique looking plant is the Capachito or otherwise known as Lady's Slipper because the small yellow flower with reddish-brown edges is in the shape of a slipper.
The Steppe is also home to the native guanaco. Roaming on the plains in herds, the guanaco is a camelid and closely related to the llama. Young guanacos called chulengos are capable of walking shortly after birth and able to keep up with the herd right away. This is a necessary adaptation given that in the open plain guanacos have nowhere to hide and pumas are their natural predators.
Ten miles (16km) into my trek I turned the corner of the massif at Paine Lake and entered Dickson Valley. I travelled adjacent to Paine River on a flattish trail with views of Cerro Escudo and Cerro Cabeza Del Indio, both mountains on the northern portion of the massif.
This section of my journey finished at Dickson Lake, the source of Paine River. Interestingly this lake used to be solely within Chile's territory with Dickson Glacier at the head of it. Because the glacier retreated significantly, it opened the way for Dickson Lake to join with newly formed lakes from Argentina's side. Today, it is an international lake with parts of it within both countries.
PS. Experience our virtual challenges in real life - The Conqueror Adventures
The team at The Conqueror Challenges
https://www.theconqueror.events
The Steppe is also home to the native guanaco. Roaming on the plains in herds, the guanaco is a camelid and closely related to the llama. Young guanacos called chulengos are capable of walking shortly after birth and able to keep up with the herd right away. This is a necessary adaptation given that in the open plain guanacos have nowhere to hide and pumas are their natural predators.
Ten miles (16km) into my trek I turned the corner of the massif at Paine Lake and entered Dickson Valley. I travelled adjacent to Paine River on a flattish trail with views of Cerro Escudo and Cerro Cabeza Del Indio, both mountains on the northern portion of the massif.
This section of my journey finished at Dickson Lake, the source of Paine River. Interestingly this lake used to be solely within Chile's territory with Dickson Glacier at the head of it. Because the glacier retreated significantly, it opened the way for Dickson Lake to join with newly formed lakes from Argentina's side. Today, it is an international lake with parts of it within both countries.
PS. Experience our virtual challenges in real life - The Conqueror Adventures
The team at The Conqueror Challenges
https://www.theconqueror.events
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