Day 10 - An easy day of hiking - Saturday, 3/4/23

Kristi and me having a little fun on our last Patagonia hike.

Day 10 of our Patagonia adventure had us in our cozy domes in the EcoCamp. We enjoyed our final day of glamping with amenities and our last hike. Mariana described this last hike as ‘easy peasy’. This described it perfectly. It felt like a cool-down jog after finishing a marathon.

We started our day with hot coffee and a wonderful array of breakfast dishes in the dining dome. Our bodies ached but we were thrilled to see sunshine and know that we only had a four-mile hike ahead of us. The day did not disappoint as the sun continued to shine with no need for rain gear throughout the entire day. This would be the only day we didn’t wear rain gear. Loading up our backpacks and wearing lighter layers, we boarded our van for our final Patagonian adventure.

The van dropped us off at our start and would drive to our stop on the other side of the hike. With a light breeze, the trail was scenic with mountainous backdrops and the feeling of a stroll through the countryside. Herds of guanacos grazed leisurely in the grasslands, similar to deer in Durango where this wildlife is civilized with humans. Although we saw no puma, we saw their aftermath in the bones left behind of their guanaco prey.

Daniel and Mariana were relaxed, sharing with us their knowledge of the terrain and the rich history of the Indigenous people of Patagonia. We were in no hurry, reaching the petroglyphs on the central rock formation. Settling in we enjoyed our lunch and the vast scenery. Some took in the petroglyphs. Others relaxed and snapped photos. Garrett was ready to keep moving. His impatient side had kicked in as well as his tendency to want to lead the group.

Ready to get the party moving and keep hiking, Garrett restlessly put on his backpack and started for the trail. As Mariana sat beside me and Judy, she noticed Garrett.

“Where are you going, Garrett?”

No more words were necessary. Garrett waited patiently despite his nature.

In charge, Mariana took out her map, spreading it out in front of us. She pointed out areas of interest, descriptions of habitat, and the history of the land.

Where our past days were ones of endurance, this day became one of education. Mariana was our educator and leader. Danial was her co-pilot and our entertaining supporter. A great team. It was nice to have this day at a relaxed pace asking our various questions and sharing observations from the week.

Loaded back in the van, the group agreed to check out a couple of more spots to pass the afternoon. We saw the beauty of the Big Falls of Laguna Amarga and the Blue Lagoon. With bumpy roads and some cloud cover, we headed back to EcoCamp for our final dinner and group farewell.

Enjoying hot showers and some downtime at the beautiful EcoCamp complex, we met in the community dome for our final recap.

Mariana started with a few words and a group ‘salute’. As we sat in a circle she instructed us to each name our favorite part of the week. The answers ranged from the pumas and the avalanche to the comradery and the guides. As sidebar conversations ensued, I pulled Mariana and Daniel aside to share quotes that I had picked out for each of them. I thought each quote was a perfect representation of the gift they shared with us during our week together.

To Mariana: “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it.” - Winston Churchill

To Daniel: “Great things are done when men and mountains meet.” - William Blake

At dinner, we mixed it up. Having two designated tables for our group of eleven, typically Kristi, Tom, Garrett, and I are at one table. With the Victorias and the J family at the other, only the guides had been switching it up. This time, we broke up our parties. Our table had Jeffrey at my left and Judy and Joey across from Garrett and me. I spent most of the night talking to Jeffrey about his life and interests back in Florida. Amazed at how well he integrated with this group of 50-somethings (being a mere 33 years old) he never missed a beat enjoying every step on the hike from the wonder-filled eyes of a city boy. He loved the trip. And extra credit for both hiking the tough second leg with not only a hangover but with an amazingly great attitude.

Joey, Judy, and Garrett share a mutual love for cycling. Joey owns a bike repair business. Our table never lost words as we shared stories of favorite rides, bikes, and past trips. We will always have our connection of successfully completing the W Trek together, but the life connections were much deeper.

Kristi told me later about running into Judy while brushing their teeth in the bathroom. They were reflecting on the week with both sharing one word to describe the trip.

Kristi’s was ‘experience’. Judy’s was ‘extraordinary’.

I think my word is ‘adaptability’.

Actually, I am going with a phrase: ‘adaptability instead of expectation’.

People are drawn to expectations. Either in setting them too high and then becoming unsettled when they aren’t met or setting them too low and then not wanting to try something new. Reflecting on the favorite moments everyone shared; not a single one was expected.

Patagonia, through the great guidance of Mariana and Daniel, showed us that an attitude of adaptability has a much greater reward than one filled with expectations.