Refugio Lago Grey

The Lago excursion boat is primarily a 3 hour tour boat that takes tourists up the lake to view Glacier Grey up close.   One time a day, this boat stops an hour in, to let backpackers off via a zodiac on the shores just before the glacier into seemingly nowhere.  In our case, it was the 6pm ferry and we were the only two getting off.  As the boat neared the glacier, the engines were cut and the zodiac we had been pulling (again only due to the kindness of strangers during our time in need) was retrieved.  While most on board probably thought we were stopping for better pictures, we eased ourselves and packs into the small boat to head to shore.  I can only imagine what they thought if they happened to glance towards land, seeing two dark figures dropped off on the shore via a personal escort with packs full of gear… I felt like spies being dropped off just outside a forbidden location, with an important mission and just the right amount of guts, skills and supplies to succeed.   My mood was starting to improve obviously.

Walking to the boat...we were on our way!

Lago Grey; what stood between us and a bed for the night

Looking good and smiling!

Glacier Grey

We walked the 15 minutes to Refugio Grey and were greeted with a smile and a “we have been waiting for you.”   They had clearly been contacted by the boat operators and were informed of our predicament and late arrival.  The lodge was perfect – clean, spacious, and yet quaint with a lodge-like sitting area and massive dinner.   Unwilling to lug our camping gear to yet another continent, Martin and I opted for the deluxe package…each night we were provided dinner and a bed and the following morning a full breakfast and sack lunch for our daily hike to the next Lodge.  Not quite glamping, it was the perfect way to experience the trails.

 
After the stress of the afternoon, we went to bed early in hopes of getting a better start to the following day.