Patagonia's Torres Del Paine

Hi Secluded Glenders,

It is time to take our journey to Torres Del Paine Mountains in Chilean Patagonia.


Patagonia - The Land Of Myths and Exploration
Even though Magellan trekked these mountains and native tribes roamed these lands, it is today a vast area shrouded in mystery.

For those brave enough to make the journey and healthy enough to trek into this beautiful region, you will be rewarded with a world of unique exploration.

Torres Del Paine translates to The Towers Of Paine.  It is not named after some person named Paine.  Paine is an ancient indigenous word for the color blue. 

How To Get There
Torres Del Paine is located in Chile which means you will most likely take a flight into the country.  It is nestled in Chile's Patagonia National Park.  The closest place to stay is at Puerto Natales.  As you head into the city you will see statues of what appears to be a sloth. It is actually a picture of the Mylodon, an extinct giant sloth.  The first remains were found in a cave approximately 25 miles from Puerto Natales and is now the symbol of the city.

Puerto Natales - That is a Milodon (Extinct Giant Sloth) statue

Milodon Cave - Cueva Del Milodon
Besides visiting Torres Del Paine, there is a very interesting place called the Cueva del Milodon, which means the Milodon Cave.  It is a cave named after an ancient extinct species of giant sloth.  There is a statue of the Milodon in the cave. 

Milodon Cave

The Cave has a very unique sharp oval entrance.  After you enter the cave and look back at the entrance.  It looks like a giant eyeball looking at you with the light shining in from the outside.

Fun Fact:  The entrance is 29 meters high by 121 meters wide.  The cave itself is approximately 200 meters in length and descends approximately 20 meters from the entrance.

The Milodon was approximately 10 feet long and over 2,200 pounds!  It was a grazing herbivore.

The species was named by Richard Owen based on a nearly complete lower jaw discovered by Charles Darwin off a cliff at Bahia Blanca during his journey on the HMS Beagle.

View From The Inside Of Milodon Cave

Cuemos Del Paine
If you look at the the top pillars of the mountain range you can see the Cuernos Del Paine, which translates to the Horns of Paine.

Cuemos Del Paine aka The Horns Of Paine

Blue Glacier
If you can, visit the other side of Torres Del Paine national park and see the surreal blue glacier.  A glacier is like a giant river of ice.  If you could see time elapsed videos you the ice will appear to flow and move either coming forward or retreating depending on weather.

Blue Glacier

Summary
Torres Del Paine is a peaceful and serene landscape.  It truly fits in as a secluded "glen" and we hope you fellow Secluded Glenders will visit one day.