Capturing Patagonia: an analog film adventure

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:

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