Torres de Paine National Park has been on my bucket list since my children were in high school, and empty nest was looming on the horizon. I decided I wouldn’t go quietly into that empty nest and started dreaming about epic trekking destinations around the world. However, over the past six years, I gave priority to other treks fearing the fickle Patagonian weather. But even more so, dreading the shared shower facilities. In all of our previous treks, I was able to book us private ensuite rooms. Yet, from all I’ve read, it seemed that part of the Torres del Paine glory was its campsites set in storybook-beautiful locations. Well, this year, I finally decided it was time to put on my big girl pants and do it.
Patagonia is equally renowned for its profound natural beauty and for the schlep to get there. We were lucky, the weather was serendipitous for our trek, and we got to see all that we’d traveled to Torres del Paine to see. Visiting Torres del Paine was just as breathtaking as the pictures we saw on National Geographic. I was afraid that after my extensive planning and looking at pictures over the past 18 months, I would be disappointed to see it all in person. But the pictures don’t do it justice. The park is stunning beyond description: the scenery is unbelievable, the mountains majestic, the rivers and lakes are absolutely beautiful, and the glaciers so powerful. The added bonus was the wildlife in this magical part of the world: herds of guanacos, flamingos on the lake, Andean condors, and the rarest and best sight of all – we got to see Rupestre, a mother puma and her four cubs. Nothing can compare to seeing nature with your own eyes.
Before I go on to talk about my lessons learned, I have to admit that I was sitting in front of the blinking cursor for a long time trying to figure out how to put into words this emotional experience of trekking through Torres del Paine without coming off as an arrogant know-it-all. But I believe that much like life, trekking is a journey with problems to solve and lessons to learn. It is about the constant expansion of skills, the sharpening of the mind, and the strengthening of body and soul. As I was walking for 4 days, three valuable life lessons were further crystallized during my time on the W trek; nuggets of insights not unlike the ice crystals in a glacier, which can grow to form a thick mass of ice. Spending time in nature certainly gives perspective to daily lives.
Lesson # 1 The Abundance in Having Less
Hikers have a saying when packing for a trek: “ounces make pounds, and pounds make pain.” Going on this trek, as I was struggling to meet the strict weight limit of my dry bag, I’ve discovered a different kind of more and the beauty of having less stuff. I had only the “essentials” but was lacking for nothing. The more I travel, the more I learn to live on less, bringing only what is absolutely necessary for a safe and comfortable trip. It forces me to be super-efficient. There’s comfort in knowing exactly what I’d wear every day and what’s in my backpack. It frees me to truly focus on what is important and appreciate nature and people when I am down to the bare minimum.
I believe that the concept of shedding the extra things we carry is true in life and in business. When we work on too many projects, carrying too many responsibilities, we can cause a certain type of pain. When we carry a heavy load on the trail, we might suffer joint inflammation and stress fractures. When we carry a huge load at work, we create physical and psychological strain known as job stress. This is a core concept to remember – less gets you more.
Lesson # 2 The strength in Being Vulnerable
Traveling and trekking involves venturing into the unknown. It forces you to adapt to new places, cultures, and people and engage in new experiences. The thing about trekking is that no matter how much you plan for it, when you are on the ground, things will always unfold in unexpected ways – the weather might turn, you’d accidentally choose the more difficult trail, someone would get injured, etc. In our struggles, we find the strength to forge ahead. As the one who planned this trip, I knew all the details of what I was about to encounter. Yet, I signed up for it not knowing how I would fare with camp showers. I have a public showers anxiety. I personally choose to never shower at the gym or yoga studio and go straight home to my sparkling clean bathroom and oh-so-loved shower. So, when I went in and encountered the poorly maintained facilities, I froze. Being vulnerable and admitting I feared taking a shower, opened the door to my friends to help me in a significant way - going with me to the shower, holding my stuff, and talking me through the experience. It meant the world to me. It confirmed the goodness and strength that can come to us in the form of situations and people. We do not have to do everything on our own. One of my best memories of the trek is the camaraderie and the hysterical laughter at the communal showers. I am here to tell you it was all worth it.
And I’ve learned that often the best way forward is to stop resisting. Sometimes, in life and in business, we feel we must power through, muscling our way trying to force things. But as I was taking a daily shower at each campsite after a day of hiking along streams, rivers, and glaciers, I’ve realized the strength in vulnerability, in ceasing to resist and beginning to go with flow. Like water. When there’s an obstacle, instead of muscling through, just let it flow and accept the kindness of others.
Lesson # 3 The Interconnection When Disconnecting
Pre-trek, I sometimes struggled making it through dinner without checking my phone. Torres del Paine gave me the gift of disconnecting, the ability to totally immerse myself in the experience and feel the interconnected nature of everything. There’s a saying in Patagonia that roughly translates to “if you are rushing in Patagonia, you are wasting time.” Our guides had to remind us of this truth on our first day when we were all gung-ho to race to the top. The beauty of the experience is enjoying what is in front of you. It was such a bliss to completely disconnect from screen life and the daily demands of hectic work and responsibilities. It deepened my awareness of the beauty around me and the joy of spending time with friends. We all took a risk going on this challenging trek. But we were rewarded with the space to reconnect with our inner child and remember how wonderful it was to be care-free, to entertain ourselves without having smartphones as a crutch. Elton John’s “laughing like children” kept playing in my head. Children see magic because they look for it. And without our phones, so could we. We had four glorious days away from technology, and we could return to childhood: to simplicity, to meandering peacefully through mind-blowing landscapes, and laughing without a care in the world. Trekking camaraderie is a truly priceless gift. So, no matter what you do and how demanding your job is, please give yourself the gift of getting away from your desk and technological devices, disconnect and make meaningful connections.
In sum, the W Trek was a bucket list completed, a dream come true. I feel tired (the good kind of tired that comes from pushing the body to its limits), elated, and wanting more. Can’t wait for all the future adventures to come!
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