Kyle Berg

Anyone who knows me will find my travel plans incongruent with my past mannerisms or interests. I’m going trekking! (Something will have to keep my mind off the fact I’m missing the NCAA Tournament back home in the US–my favorite sporting event of the year! Ok…I’m not going to think about that any more or I just may hop on the next plane to Minneapolis). Rather than spending money on hotels, tour guides, and other tourist traps, I’ve been reading online and invested in a backpack, -10°C sleeping bag, hiking boots, 2 person tent, and other essentials. These things will last a long time and will serve me at Machu Picchu and who knows where else.

On Sunday, I fly to El Calafate in Southern Argentina. I plan to trek for 3-5 days around El Chaltén, visit the Perito Moreno glacier, and do whatever else seems of interest. Afterwards, I’ll take a 5 hour bus ride to Puerto Natales, Chile and then venture on to Torres del Paine to attempt the 8 or 9 day Paine Circuit. If this is too much, there’s the shorter 5 day “W” Circuit as well. Afterwards, if I still have desire to keep going and don’t miss Vanesa too much, it’s on to the Lakes Region of Bariloche. There one can hike volcanoes, take a dip in freezing yet tranquil lakes, raft, ride horse, and just about anything else you can think of.

I look at the pictures of the places I will be visiting and cannot imagine the beauty of the landscape. That I’ve been compelled to do this should tell you something about the breathtaking nature of this region. Seeing it in person should be an indescribable experience.

I’ll try to blog when I can, but Internet access will be infrequent, so I can make no promises. I’ll do my best.