Torres del Paine is located in Southern Patagonia and is one of the numerous spectacular national parks in Chile. It was created in 1959 and UNESCO has listed the location as a Biosphere Reserve since 1978. This place is a wonderland for nature enthusiasts from all over the world.
Waterfalls and rivers, Magellanic sub-polar forests, pampas, mountains covered with permanent ice, granite peaks, meadows and glacier fed lakes await the outdoor adventurers to discover the wild and unique nature of Patagonia. The world wide known Towers, or else called Torres, are three incredible granite spikes.
Among these, the highest of all stands at 9514ft/2900m high, being all part of the Cordillera del Paine. In order to approach the Towers, there are minibuses at Laguna Amarga, that will take you to Estancia Paine from where you can start your hike. Follow the trail that takes you to the Torres Del Paine base camp, continue towards the Rio Ascensio Valley and up on the left the Ascensio Glacier’s moraine. The route starts from the “In the Eye of the Hurricane” route and climbs on the left side, around the biggest roof and up to the summit.
The first ascent was achieved in 2004 by three Polish climbers. They named the route “Self Right to Suicide”, because as they said they wanted to reflect the attitude one needs to climb such a thing. Once you reach the top, the view of the nature around you is overwhelming with outstanding ecosystems, different landscapes and rare flora and fauna, found nowhere else on the planet. In every step you take, the views of this dramatic land take your breath away.
The best time to climb the Self Right to Suicide route is between October through February. Be very well prepared in regards with gear, food and clothing because the weather is changeable and unpredictable with high winds, rain showers, long hot days during summer, snow and everything else you may think of. Wind proof layers are the key.
