Fran's Backpack - Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes (Walking) [Paperback]

Fran's Backpack brings to you various products on travel, adventure, flying and photography.

They could be books, ebooks, videos, or gear. Check each one out as it's highlighted on the day.

Today's item in the Backpack is Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes (Walking) [Paperback].

Just over a year ago now, I was trekking in the Patagonian Andes - Torres del Paine, in Chile, and Fitzroy National Park, in Argentina. Spectacular rocky outcrops, wildflowers, wildlife and lakes. This was another one to cross off my bucket list.

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Product Description
Lonely Planet knows the Patagonian Andes

This vast, varied region is home to some of the world's great treks, with trails that take you through pristine forests to the rims of glaciers, under granite monoliths and over rickety suspension bridges, well beyond the crowds. Our expert author has chosen the best of Patagonia's trekking, from the luxuriant rainforests of the Lakes District to the spectacular wildernesses of Tierra del Fuego. Whether you are an experienced trekker or a first-timer, you're sure to find the ultimate trekking experience here.

In This Guide:

Everything you need to know to get prepared
Comprehensive listings for sleeping, eating and facilities along the way
Advice on equipment, health and safety.

When is a Hat not a Hat? When it's a Bucket

When travelling, it's good to be very sun smart and wear a hat to protect the face and neck. My choice is an Akubra hat, being an Aussie. Our beautiful sunshine does have a sting to it though, so it pays to be protected, particularly in the Outback. Here's my first Akubra on Tasmania's Overland Track (it's in the DVD too).

As a photographer, there's an added bonus. I take the hat off and hold it over the camera to get rid of sun glare when taking photos - very versatile.

It's versatile in other ways too. In the Outback, sometimes stockmen fill the hat with water and let their horses drink from it.


As long as the water's not kept too long in the hat and it's given a chance to dry out, the hat will be OK. I'm so glad I remembered that fact.

Last year I took my trusty hat with me on the Torres del Paine trek in Chile, South America. It shielded me from the sun and the rain and everything was going smoothly until we had almost reached the refugio (refuge/hostel) at Grey Lake. A few of us started feeling a bit queazy and then ended up being sick in the bushes (oh, that felt better, for a while only though). We'd probably caught an airborne tummy bug.

By the time we arrived at the refugio and sorted out our upstairs rooms and bunks we started feeling sick again. The guide gave us each a big black plastic garbage bag but I never managed to use mine.

The vomiting came on so suddenly that the first thing I grabbed was my Akubra, turned it upside down and used it as a bucket. When I felt a bit better I gingerly crept down the stairs to the bathroom and tipped the contents of the hat in the toilet, thoroughly rinsed it out and dried it as best I could.

I dragged myself up the stairs and lay down on the bunk again. The guide kindly brought us some rice tea to settle the stomach but that didn't last long. Once more I made a grab for my still damp hat and used it as my felt bucket. (I don't know about you but writing about this is making me feel a bit queazy)

I did the same as before and emptied my hat in the bathroom down stairs and fortunately the vomiting stopped. The anti-gastro pills worked wonders - never leave home without them. (There's more to the tale but believe me you don't want to read about it)

So, the moral of this story is
(a) no matter how hygienic you are the bugs are still going to get you and
(b) on your bucket list make sure you have an Akubra hat which can double as a bucket!

P.S. I did wear it the rest of the trip but because the hat was wet for too long (and smelt a bit) I've had to buy another Akubra.

Walkabout on Tasmania's Overland Track

Walking on Tasmania's Overland Track you discover a few quirky little things. Like this "loo with a view" near the historic Du Cane Hut.


People in the bush are very inventive. In order to preserve the wilderness near this hut, an ingenious open air toilet has been fashioned out of a remnant tree trunk.




It's all very mod con, with a hollow for the loo, two lids and a flag system to let others know that the loo is occupied.

This truly is a "loo with a view", not only for the user but also for anything wandering around in the bush nearby!

Oh, the joys of trekking!

Another "loo with a view" http://franwest2.blogspot.com/2010/08/flyabout-to-preservation-island-bass.html

Trekking Adventure in Nepal with Fran West

The Annapurna - Dhaulagiri Trek in Nepal was a real adventure for me.
It was a challenge more than just a simple reward for my big birthday.


I'm not only afraid of heights (even though I'm a pilot), but I'm also an asthmatic. My aim was to reach the Holy Lake, with its snow covered shoreline, and return without having an asthma attack or needing to use my inhaler due to the altitude.


The hardest physical and mental challenge I have ever had – climbing along steep rocky paths, crossing over bridges, walking through waterfalls, inching my way across slippery landslides and eventually reaching the lake at 4,600 metres.

After setting off early in the morning in the dark, the group returned in the twilight eleven hours later with a herd of yaks accompanying it.

No asthma attack though. Amazing what being determined can achieve!