Torres Del Paine
Torres del Paine is a wonderful national park. Our trip did have a major problem. Several weeks before we were to leave, an irresponsible camper started a fire that burned nearly 70 square miles of forest and land. Authorities eventually charged a 23-year-old Israeli tourist for negligently starting the blaze by burning his group’s toilet paper. Charges were eventually dropped when the “camper” paid a $10,000 fine and two years community service in Israel. Hardly a punishment that fit the crime, although an accident.
Please practice Leave No Trace Principles!
Luckily the park re-opened the day before we started into the park. We could not see any part of the fire because the last leg of the “W” route was closed because of the fire. We never got a chance to finish the “W” because of this and didn’t get to see the Grey Glacier.