Start: Hotel Las Torres
The race begins in beautiful Torres del Paine at the Hosteria Lago Grey, set against the backdrop of the famous three towers.
PC 1: Hosteria Lago Grey
After 60 km of mountain biking, the teams arrive on the far western end of Torres del Paine at Lago Grey. Here they begin kayaking and navigating through the massive icebergs that have recently calved from Glacier Grey.
PC 2: Monte Balmaceda
After kayaking down the Grey and Serrano rivers for 47 km, the teams leave their kayaks at the base of the massive Monte Balmaceda for the first section of trekking.
PC 3: Tempanos
A beachside checkpoint named for the icebergs that fill the Lago Balmaceda. The teams arrive here after 19 km of hiking through dense forest and wetlands. The lake offers spectacular views of the southern ice field and the massive mountains surrounding it.
PC 4: Rio Azul
Another beachside checkpoint at the mouth of the river connecting Lago Azul and the Fiordo Ultima Esperanza. Here the teams leave the low elevation forests and lakes and begin moving toward the mountain pass.
PC 5: Paso Profundo
After another 12 km of gradual elevation gain, the teams arrive at the Paso Profundo, named for the deep canyon that provides passage from the mountain pass to the valley floor. Here they receive panoramic views of the Southern Icefield and the ocean fjords surrounding the area.
PC 6: Fiordo Worsley
The teams descend to the valley floor from the high mountain pass to another fjord, Fiordo Worsley. It is along this fjord they will follow the lay of the mountains and make for the next pass.
PC 7: Puente de Roca
This rocky point at the head of the inlet marks the seventh checkpoint and the location where teams will begin to climb and cross another high mountain pass.
PC 8: Fiordo de las Montanas
Checkpoint 8 is the start of the second kayaking portion of the 2011 race. Set between Cordillera Sarmindiento de Gamboa and Cordillera Riesco, racers will view awesome mountain vistas as they paddle a total of 58 km.
PC 9: Bahia Caribe
Situated on a beautiful, white sandy beach, checkpoint 9, aptly named Bahia Caribe, marks the start of the longest trekking leg in WPER race history – a total of 191 km. With mountains, river crossings, and vast stretch of wetlands, this will prove to be one of the most challenging sections for racers.
PC 10: Mirador Fiordos
Located 67 km beyond checkpoint 9 and high above the glacial sculpted valley, checkpoint 10 offers views of Fiordo Obstruccion, Seno Skyring, and a number of lakes. Racers will be awed.
PC 11: Fiordo Obstruccion
Located 10 km to the east of Mirador Fiordos is checkpoint 11. This marks the beginning of another very demanding and very long stretch of mountains, rivers, and wetlands. Racers: Beware the terrible beat pog at the end of the 68 km section!
PC 12: Rio Blanco
Racers follow the Rio Blanco to its headwaters and beyond, starting the final 46 km trekking section at checkpoint 12. Bosque Furiouso and a mountain crossing will test racers’ strength and navigational skills.
PC 13: Puesto las Nieves
At checkpoint 13, racers gear up for the final mountain bike portion of the race. This 188 km stretch of biking marks an important environmental transition from wet, super saturated land to a drier, more desert like environment. Racers rejoice!
Finish: Pali Aike
Pali-Aike is a Tehuelche name that means Desolate Place. Created in 1970, the park draws its name from a prominent volcanic cone known as the Pali Aike Crater.
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