The longest walk, the biggest reward

Today, we walked further and harder than I have ever walked. At least as far as I can remember. Despite the aching knees, the stiff leg muscles, and the enormous fatigue, it was worth it for two reasons:

Firstly, the "Mirador Base Torres del Paines", really is a golden viewing point. Beautiful, commanding, mysteriously shaped peaks, and a turquoise lake of glacial water.

Second, we walked 49,000 steps, or approximately 23km, and climbed 800m. Compare that with last year on the same day, when I could only walk around 100 steps, and Max had to push me in a wheelchair. I struggled up and down 3 stairs. The change proves to me that my rehabilitation really has worked and that I can relax a bit more.

Enough about me! What an effort from all the others! Oscar, Nora Skye, Lola, Lennox, and Flo. The conditions were tough, hard stony paths, and at the end, a steep climb over boulders, where each step was 20 to 30cm upwards. It's tough enough for someone of 187cm, tougher still for the little kids, and my vertically challenged partner. Whilst the weather was mostly good for walking at 17C (t-shirt), at the top, it was bitterly cold (add two sweaters and a coat). On the way down, too, it was rather chilly.Read more