N_A_S

Anyone out there been to Patagonia? I am leaving on a ship from Ushauaia for 4 days, then inland from Punta Arenas, to Torres del Paine and El Calafate (Glacier National Park). 11 days in all before returning to Buenos Aires.
How cold will it be in mid October? I know there is a lot of wind and rain, but how much and what kind of outerwear will I need?
Any suggestions about Patagonia will be appreciated.

samting

Been there and loved it...truly a natural wonder. But it is winter there when it is somjmer here. So take layers. Also, helps to speak a little Spanish...also, I remember we went to argentina just after the Falklands war with England...the English are not very popular there. definitely take a rain jacket.

Jed

Two things I remember about TDP.

1- Amazing natural formation
2- Amazing persistant wind.

Elizabeth_S

Are you taking the Mare Australis? We took it from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas in February of this year and really enjoyed it. Be sure to take light rain pants - otherwise you can buy them on board......they have many different sizes of Wellingtons so don't worry too much about shoes.

Here's a link to our blog - if you scroll down there are lots of shots of that route - also a recommendation for a restaurant in Punta Arenas

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ile/index.html

N_A_S

Thanks to all for your comments. You have verified that it is rainy, windy and beautiful.
Samting, I do speak some Spanish, and with my Okie accent, no one could possibly mistake me for a Brit.
Jed, can't wait to see Torres Del Paine. Sounds amazing.
Elizabeth S, yes I am taking the Mare Australis. So great to see the photos of the ship, the "zodiaks," and the natural wonders. I have my sea sick patch for the Cape Horn part of the trip. Hope I'm lucky like you and get good weather.
Was there a lot of hiking involved?
Thought I would just take my gore-tex hiking boots since I'll need them for the land portion of my "adventure". Think I'll need rubber boots too? I had figured I would need rain pants - you just confirmed it. Do you remember it being really cold? Of course, you're from Canada and I'm from Oklahoma - cold is a relative term.
Loved all the food photos and restaurant recommendation. I'm a "foodie" too and especially love sea food.
How great that you got to spend so much time in South America!

Elizabeth_S

Hi NAS

Re your queztions - there wasn't a lot of hiking per se - but when we went to the Cape Horn station there are a fair number of stairs....nothing that anybody on the cruise couldn't navigate with a bit of time.

Hope you have the same weather at the Cape we did - it was a real treat.

Regarding shoes - the goretex ones you mention will be great - otherwise they have lots of "Wellingtons" (english name for rubber boots) on board - we used them, so long as you don't mind wearing shoes someone else has worn!!!

So we purchased the rain pants (not a bad deal) and with our weather proof jackets and fleecies underneath were quite comfortable......the trick is layers. And good waterproof gloves...and a hat.

No - it wasn't too cold - at least in February, but I admit you're right......my Canadian perspective might be different from yourz!

Have a great time! And be sure to go to La Luna in Punta Arenas

woodie

Greetings N A S:

My wide and I were in Ushuaia about 12 years ago and only remember that we had a great time. Good catamaran tour in the Beagle Channel and great seafood at Tante something?? That was a long time ago.

This Jauary we were in Punta Arenas. Wonderful seafood at La Luna and they open for dinner earler than most of the places in Chile and Argentina. Good food and reasonable.

If you want to see penguin, get a day tour to Isla Magdelena. Ths little island, not on a map, is close to Punta Arenas and can easily be seen on a day trip from there.

It is a preserve with one light house manned by a research team. You can walk among the birds but must stay on the path. The penguin will be as close as half a metre from you. Take lots of film. Many thousands of birds there.

Shop around for a tour. The big local tour company, Runner, were not so hot. I do not think I would use them again. Ask at your hotel. We stayed at the Hotel Rey Jorge and they treated us very well.

Have a good one.

Woodie

N_A_S

Hi Woodie,
I now have 3 recommendations for La Luna in Punta Arenas. It must be "the place." Can't wait for all the wonderful seafood I'm hearing about. I made arrangements with Adventure Life Journeys for an 11 day trip, and they have booked hotels etc for me. I will let you know how it all resolves. I am scheduled to go to Magdalena to see the penguins on the way to Punta Arenas. Thanks for your response.