Time to snack load before the hike

Monday, November 7th: Puerto Natales, Chile

• After several back-to-back days of hiking in El Chalten, we took it easy and got ready for the W. We went into town to pick up a rain cover for the backpack and almost bought a soft, thick fleece coat by the Chilean brand Falcone. 

• We walked along the lake that smelled of the connecting ocean, passing by the graffiti painted skate ramp, hotels, shops and restaurants. We wandered into a local restaurant for lunch - La Cocina Criolla - and enjoyed the Chilean version of empanadas, which were deep fried and stuffed with bites of steak and onion in an almost stew-like goop. We also shared el pastel de choclo - a corn meal base with hidden treasures inside: steak, chicken, onion, blueberries, olives and hard boiled egg all cooked inside a clay bowl. 

• We had a low key afternoon and packed our bags for the W. Even without the tent, pillows or sleeping pads, there was more stuff than we anticipated and the bags were heavy. We ran to the grocery store for one more load of snacks: Tubos, Milka chocolate, Cheetos, a knock off version of Pringles and more ravioli for dinner. Matt made the sauce this time and it had a better consistency. 

• Accommodations: AirB&B, Puerto Natales, Chile