“Patagonia, of course”, I answered without hesitation—a region I hold close to my heart. This isolated area at the southernmost tip of South America, shared by Chile and Argentina, is one of the last true wildernesses on Earth. Its ash-spitting volcanoes, vast glaciers, snow-capped peaks, emerald lakes, fjords, lush green forests, and resilient locals who endure this harsh environment have always drawn explorers, climbers, hikers, and nature lovers. Even the name—Patagonia—has become a metaphor for remoteness and extremity.

A few years ago, during my first visit to South America, I stumbled upon The Greater Patagonian Trail, an incredible long-distance route network in the southern Andes that stretches from the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, to the southernmost parts of Patagonia. It was designed, mapped, and walked by Jan Dudeck and like-minded people for over a decade, and we were grateful for all his efforts in maintaining and updating the GPS coordinates and information.

‘I'm up for it, let’s do it!’ my father agreed after a few weeks of discussion. The plan was set. Over four months, we aimed to explore much of the Main Route, starting in Parque Nacional Siete Tazas near Talca, Chile, and hopefully ending in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in El Chaltén, the hiker’s mecca in Argentina. Our goal was never to thru-hike the entire trail but to immerse ourselves in this wild, beautiful, remote corner of the Earth, connect with its people, and create memories that will stay with us forever.

After completing our Patagonian journey in April 2022, I can confidently say that it was everything we hoped for and more. The landscapes, the challenges, the people we met along the way—it all left an indelible mark on both of us. We’ve returned with our hearts full and our minds brimming with stories that will last a lifetime. The journey may be over, but the memories and the bond we strengthened during this adventure will endure.