"We're hiking in the Fuegan Andes, guys! I can't believe we're hiking in the Fuegan Andes!"
(This actually sounds really funny when you say it out loud [Fuegan is pronounced fweg-in])
Even though the forecast was for 3 days of rain with only one morning of potential sun, we were determined to start hiking and we set of for the Valdivieso Circuit as waterproofed as we could make ourselves.
Thankfully, the weather held out and we enjoyed dry weather and great visibility for most of the hike.
The 'trail' was actually more of a rough route, but for the most part we were above the treeline and could easily see where we wanted to go. The first day took us up over the Beban pass, which offered incredible views of the jagged and snow-covered peaks that surrounded us. We took advantage of the long summer day (2 days after summer solstice) and hiked until 9pm and cooked dinner as we watched the sun cast its last light on the impressive rock faces that surrounded our campsite.
The next day, we climbed up over two passes (Mariposa and Valdivieso), which both overlooked beautiful alpine lakes surrounded by incredible peaks and beautiful snowfields. This was Christmas eve and we camped near a small waterfall and celebrated with hot mulled wine as our bed-time drink.
Christmas morning, we awoke to pouring rain but it had more or less cleared by the time we we ready to head out. The final day of the hike took us down a long valley that was mostly skeg and Jodie and I laughed at the fact that we were tromping through ankle deep moss for fun when we get paid for it all summer.
We made it back to the road and hitched a ride back to our hostel with enough time to make our Christmas phone calls and cook up a makeshift Christmas dinner. All in all, it was a beautiful hike and definitely got us excited for more!
Christine
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