Capturing Patagonia: an analog film adventure

Related Articles


Without a doubt, tackling Torres del Paine is a rigorous and fully rewarding adventure in and of itself. So much so, that you could let it live solely in your mind’s eye and feel satisfied. For many though, a big part of the journey is finding creative and tangible ways to take the experience home with you. It could be jotting down field notes, snapping polaroids, doodling in a sketchbook, or even recording little audio notes to yourself. On my recent Torres del Paine — Full Circuit Trek, I chose to capture it all on the grainy goodness of film.

Naturally, the photos show the iconic landscapes you’d expect but also the serenity, camaraderie, and deep fulfillment found in quiet moments. They also tell the story of letting things run their course; the park is 181,000 hectares large and monitored by a mere 50 park rangers. The mountains, valleys, forests have long lived before us and will live long after we are gone. It’s humbling to stand in the presence of life in its fullest and a reminder that the same joy can be found in the monotony and mundaneness of life. I woke up everyday as clear as I ever have with the daily objective of moving one leg after the other to get to my destination.

Here are a few of my favourite memories from my 11-day itinerary:

the W towers, shaped by the harsh environment the park presents
patagonia pic
en route to our campsite, a wide green valley opens ahead
patagonia pic
already making fast friends and enjoying the sweeping views at dinner
patagonia pic
taking in the stillness of lake and mountain landscapes from our campsite
patagonia pic
a massive valley, nature in a panoramic view on the way to Seron campsite
patagonia pic 1
trusty porters leading the way as we walk alongside rivers in the valley
patagonia pic
enjoying the quiet company of a giant condor and surrounding peaks
patagonia pic
glacial ice running off into milky green lagoons
patagonia pic
porters earning a well-earned rest and sleeping under mountains at Camp Dickson
patagonia pic
a challenging day through John Garner Pass but a huge reward in Grey Glacier views
patagonia pic
switching it up to b+w film, ascending and descending literal mountains is humbling work
patagonia pic
the fatigue is real but the feeling of accomplishment reigns supreme
patagonia pic 1
final views of Torres del Paine before the return to Puerto Natales

Getting there

Ready to capture memories of a Patagonia trek in your own special way? Here are some tours to consider:

Torres del Paine — Full Circuit Trek
Torres del Paine — The W Trek
Hike Patagonia in Depth

More on this topic

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Popular stories