13. Mirador Madness

30th Nov 2013

     This was to be our last day in Puerto Natales so we endeavored to make the most of it by heading down to our favorite place by the waterfront for coffee. After Andrew was sufficiently caffeinated we found another bike hire shop where once again they spoke no English and funnily enough we still couldn't speak any Spanish and hired bikes for about $12. This was after an extended negotiation regarding passports, no we were not going to leave our passports with her under any circumstances, and ended up just leaving the card of the hostel we were staying at. The bikes were ok but were provided with no pump or spare tube. We headed 7km out of town to a private property where we could climb up to a lookout ( mirador ) with panoramic views of the surrounding area. There we met the lovely property owner who spoke no English but kept up a steady stream of Spanish that seemed important so we just nodded and smiled. I got enough to understand that we should follow the red markers ( red like her shirt ) and after giving her the $20 entry fee off we went into a slowly increasing wind. 

Entry to the mirador

Heading up to the mirador sheltered by trees

Time for some macros, this guy looks like we just caught him in the nuddy.

Signs of stronger winds than we were currently experiencing

     As we approached the top from the more sheltered side of the mountain we could hear a strange noise a bit like 5 jet airplanes revving their engines at the same time. Turns out the wind had really picked up and as we emerged from the trees we were greeted by snapped off power poles and a satalite dish that had been torn from its footings and up ended. We enjoyed the panoramic views but this was no place to linger for a rest or snacks as the wind was getting more intense by the minute, so off back down the mountain we went to be invited in for biscuits, tea and Spanish conversation at the farm house at the entry. We begged off quickly,  luckily there was a couple waiting for a taxi who spoke English and Spanish who were able to interpret for us, we needed to get back to town to get packed for an early departure in the morning.

Looking down over Putero Natales

Andrew battling the winds to stay upright

Looking down towards the entry point

    

     The ride back proved to be a challenge with the wind buffeting us from all sides, it was like being passed by a constant stream of B-doubles going in both directions. In the last 2 km which included some nice long gravel downhill sections I got a slow leak in the back tyre and if you remember we had no tube so all I could do was hope for the best and rode more gingerly than usual. Back in town we returned the bikes, re-caffeinated Andrew, had an early dinner at Baguales and then finished up our packing before hoping into bed, sad to be leaving Puerto Natales but looking forward to the next chapter in our Patagonian adventure.

 A welcome wind shelter on the way back

Hmmmm...maybe it got blown here