The hikers have returned!

What a relief to get this email today!!

Just a quick email to let you know we just got back from Torres del Paine. It is 5:00 and have not eaten lunch, no clean clothes, and the boy is very hungry, so we are going to go eat, but I knew you would be worried and I wanted to send you this first. I will call you tonight. We stayed longer than expected in T. del Paine (PAIN) for my feet, we hiked a good bit and I think we did it well.

This evening, Guillermo did call me and he sounded very upbeat! He said their plan was to only spend 3 night in Torres del Paine, but they ended up spending 4 nights. Each night was spent in some place that was expensive, but provided no linens, no soap and the room had to be shared with 3 or 4 other people. Guillermo talked excitedly about the hiking they did each day, usually hikes of 8 - 9 hours in length. He said the trails were mostly deep with snow, rocky, incredibly steep or very icy, which led to several falls, some of which cut their hand or fingers. Despite all that, he seemed happy about their hikes, and a lot of it has to do with the beauty of what they were seeing. But some of it also has to do with how well he felt, unlike when he hiked in Peru and felt so out of breath and had continuous coughing. He realizes now that it was more the altitude in Peru than anything else, and that is a relief for him. He is grateful (and proud) that he was able to keep up with Fernando with no problem.

I think I'll be able to sleep a little bit better tonight!!