8 Tips for Backpacking the W-Trek
The W-trek is a great introductory trail for any first-time backpacker. The scenery is breath-taking, and the trail is clearly marked. It was my introduction to multi-day backpacking, and to say that I was a backpacking rookie beforehand was an understatement. Previous to the W-Trek, my experience consisted of out and back hikes taking less than 2 hours in tropical locations. I’m sharing 8 tips for the W-Trek that I wish I had known in advance.
1. Bring trekking poles
You’ll thank me later. If you’re young and in shape, you’ll question why you should even bother with sticks your grandparents would use. That may be the case, but your knees take a beating on the trail. When people warn about the Patagonian wind and how the weather can change on a dime, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Gusts would start blowing, and I thought it would pick me up and spit me out on the other side of the park. Poles are immensely helpful for powering through windy spots and keeping my balance. When my leg muscles were fatigued, poles helped to push off and propel me forward. For anyone with short legs, they give extra stability when traversing over rivers.
2. Skip the baseball cap
The wind is so strong that you’ll spend more time holding your hat to your head than blocking the sun. I looped my ponytail through my hat and tightened it to where it bordered on hurting, and I still felt like it would lift off my head at any moment. A headband or buff to keep the hair out of your face would be used 90% of the time. If you do the trek from west to east and if it’s particularly sunny, you may find a brimmed hat helpful on your last day from Refugio Chileno to Refugio Torres Central. The trail is exposed with limited trees.
3. Lather on the sunscreen
When I first heard there was a hole in the ozone layer over Patagonia, I was in disbelief. Then, I experienced the unreal power of the sun over Patagonia and ended up with sunburns even after lathering on the sunscreen. Even on cloudy days, you definitely need to slather on the sunscreen and reapply often. Don’t forget the spots easily forgotten like your hands, wrists, ears, and nose. Nothing is more unwanted than your skin scaling and the discomfort that comes along with sunburns.
4. Wear sunglasses
Sunglasses have two purposes. First, they are essential for protecting your eyes from the harmful damage of the sun. Secondly, the intense Pagatonian wind can also kick up dust and water off the lakes. Sunglasses came in handy and serve as a barrier between the elements and your eyes. Pro tip: use a lanyard to stay connect your sunglasses. The last thing you want is to drop those suckers on the trail. At the end of the day, you want to be able to see the beauty of the national park and not have to deal with a scratched cornea.
5. Ditch the pack covers
If it isn’t obvious already, the wind is intense and the weather can change at any moment. Ditch your pack covers and line your packs with garbage bags instead. There’s nothing more annoying than hearing your pack cover flap in the wind. Trust me, no one in your group wants to hear it either. Many packs come with covers with elastic, much like a shower cap. However, these can easily blow off in the wind, and we wouldn’t want the pristine landscape littered with pack covers.
6. Opt for a smaller-sized water bottle
There’s no shortage of drinking water on the W-Trek, and it’s some of the best water you’ll ever taste. Everyone has their preference on carrying their water. I prefer a Nalgene 8 ounce bottle since it’s easy to pull in and out of my pack, and the right amount of water. Make sure that you fill up your water bottle over a spot of fast moving water, like over a rock.
7. Bring a portable battery charger
Depending on the number of electronics you need to power, you’ll want to make sure you have ample wattage to last you through the trek. As a newbie to backpacking, I was amazed by the simple hack of putting your phone and battery pack in your sleeping bag overnight. When you’re trekking near Glacier Grey where the temperature is bound to feel cooler, the cold air zaps your battery power. I hadn’t accounted for this on our ice hike and didn’t have any battery left on our camera towards the end of the hike where the most epic photo ops were.
8. Prepare to pack in, pack out
Yes, the refugios have great amenities, and the natural beauty of the park is mesmerizing. However, it’s not an easy feat to transport food and supplies. Depending on the location of the refugio, food and supplies arrive via boat, horse, or porters. Bring a couple of ziplock bags to collect your granola bar wrappers, contact lens cases if you wear daily disposables like me, and other trash. When those majestic horses carrying liters of soda and beer pass you on the trail, you’ll definitely not want to add to their load.
Are you ready to backpack the W-Trek? Adventure with us in Patagonia for the trip of a lifetime. You’ll receive an extensive packing list that covers all the bases, and we’ll periodically check-in with you leading up to your adventure so that you feel prepared for your Patagonian adventure. Can’t wait for you to join us at the end of the world!