I went for the scenery, but it was our caring guides, the hospitality of everyone from drivers to innkeepers, and having all the details taken care of, that made this the trip of a lifetime.
All of our guides went above and beyond the rules of guiding (such as "a guide always goes last"), and what might get an extra tip. Just to single out one example from everyone: Cem Inal, our Tour Guide, always stayed well behind me on the W-trek, making sure I never felt pressured to hurry. Baru, our extra W-trek guide, decided to simply hold me down in one bad wind rather than make me leave the wonderful view--I'm still unsure if this was he thought I'd blow away or if I was going to do something stupid! Viktor, our "lead" W-trek guide, not only lightened my load, but came rushing out to greet me at the end of the days--especially I remember at Refugio Paine Grande. Cecilia and Paula, our local guides in Argentina, shared so much, not letting on that that we must have been the hundredth time each had given the same information or taken the same hike. The guides Camille and Simon who took us on the "add-on" glacier walk on Grey Glacier were similarly caring, careful, and welcoming.
Although I was assured by Tash (Active Adventures chat) that "The majority of our customers on any of our given trips are in their 60's - 70's," at 69 I was the oldest in my group, with 6 long-legged, very fit, and much younger trekkers (one age 29, four in their 50's, and one in mid/early 60's.) I am especially grateful to the W-trek guides Baru and Viktor, and Cem (truly a "gem") for making me feel welcomed, appreciated, and never, ever, as I trailed all the others, suggesting that I take fewer pictures, hurry the pace, or not stop to chat with other trekkers.

| January 1970