While You’re Here, Don’t Forget This
Torres del Paine National Park with Jackie Nourse
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The Why
“A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for" - John A. Shedd
"For the benefit and enjoyment of the people."
These words hang on the Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone National Park. On March 1, 1872, Congress set aside over 3,400 square miles of land between Wyoming and Montana as a public park.
Thus began the era of National Parks. Today, there are over 6,000 national parks or equivalent preserves across 100 different nations. From Costa Rice to Croatia, these vast swaths of land are bastions of harmony between humans and the natural world.
Some, like the Ulura-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia, are sacred. Others, like the Galápagos National Park in Ecuador, aren't meant for human interference.
Then there are parks that are raw and wild, like Torres del Paine. Covering close to 700 square miles and a stone's throw from Antarctica, Torres del Paine National Park is one of the last untamed places on Earth.
Turquoise lakes butt against ancient mountains. Glaciers groan, and the winds howl. The stars, unencumbered by natural light, coat the night sky.
“You're getting an original experience there, and I think that's why I connected with it from the beginning,” explains Jackie Nourse. “I went to Patagonia for the first time in 2015 after I exited a big relationship. I felt like I was in a raw and wild place, and what I saw in front of me reflected how I felt inside. It was uncharted territory. I was on my own again. The whole place spoke to me on a soul level. Part of who I am now began in Patagonia."
At 18, Jackie chose to pursue travel as a lifestyle. She studied abroad in Costa Rice, Italy, and Brazil. She speaks five languages, operates a successful travel blog, and hosts one of the longest-running independent female-hosted travel podcasts.
More recently, she's launched JUMP Adventures, a one-of-a-kind adventure travel company. From bikepacking in the Swiss Alps to traversing New Zealand's Fjords, JUMP embodies the values Jackie developed over two decades of exploring the corners of the globe.
Patagonia has a way of bringing out the best in you. The noise of the everyday fades, leaving room for the important things. Chasing this quiet is why Jackie is drawn to places like Patagonia. It’s also why she’s now leading trips to the edge of the world.
Two main treks weave their way through Torres del Paine. The shorter of the two is the W trek. This four to five-day self-guided hike is a Patagonia highlight reel, bringing you some of the Park's most mesmerizing features, like Glacier Grey, the famous towers, and the French Valley.
The W's older brother, the O circuit, encompasses the W trek plus the much more remote backside of the park. "Only 5% of Torres del Paine National Park travelers attempt the O circuit, so you're in a rare group of people as you start on the O," explains Jackie. You can hike in only one direction and must have a permit. It's extremely remote, so rescues are difficult."
This eight-day excursion will bring you face-to-face with Patagonia's unrefined beauty. Roaring mountains contrast with tranquil waters. Ice cracking from glaciers will be your soundtrack. Condors, pumas, and wild horses will be your traveling companions.
To experience Patagonia is to understand that you were not put on this Earth to be a spectator. "Don't forget to live while you're here," says Jackie. "Don't stay within your four walls. Get out and do things. See what your potential is. Push yourself. Accomplish things and be rewarded. Be scared, but do it all anyway."
The Training
Hiking in Patagonia isn’t a Sunday stroll. The O circuit requires adequate preparation. You’re walking through unpredictable weather and over technical terrain for at least eight days, all while carrying your pack. Taking the time to prepare your body means you won’t have to dig as deep mentally.
The physical comes first, then the mental
“I love giving somebody a goal to train for,” explains Jackie. You don’t sign up for a trip thinking I’m going to get in shape on the trip. You sign up for a trip and then train to get ready for that experience.
Preparing for something like the O circuit comes down to time on feet. Start by hiking on the weekend, increasing the mileage and weight in your back as you go. Couple your hikes with strength sessions targeting your aerobic capacity and lower body.
Messages from the quiet
Ensuring your body is fit for the journey means you’ll be ready to embrace the quiet. “If your body is set up to support your heart and mind, who knows what’s going to come from that?” says Jackie. “Finding the quiet on the trail is where the magic happens. That’s where my best ideas come from.”
When in doubt, use a mantra
The quiet you experience on the trail has a dark side, though. Linger there too long, and negative thoughts can creep in like weeds. “I love coming up with mantras,” laughs Jackie. “It’s one of the tools I use. If something is bothering me, I’ll use a mantra to get out of it. I don’t need to think about negative stuff while trying to be present for my group.”
The Food
If you’re going out for a day or less, you can eat almost anything. But the longer and more remote your adventure gets, the more critical your nutrition strategy becomes. Giving your body what it needs sets you up to enjoy your experience.
Drink before you’re thirsty
If you’re thirsty, you’re already two to three percent dehydrated. Knock back 14 to 22 ounces of water two hours before your hike. Aim to drink six to 12 ounces of water or sports drink every 15 to 20 minutes during the trek.
“One cool thing about Patagonia is that you can drink straight from the streams and rivers. So, a 24-ounce water bottle is all you need,” explains Jackie.
Don’t forget your protein
Carbs are the crux of your hiking nutrition strategy. They’re your body’s preferred energy source and will ensure you can last for the duration of your hike. But don’t forget to balance that with some protein. Protein is great after a long day on the trail because it helps with recovery.
“If you have a favorite protein, we recommend people bring it,” says Jackie. “If you’re exerting yourself all day, you must replenish.”
The Gear
Jackie's gear kit
Merino wool mid-layer from Smartwool
Performance fleece from Patagonia
Marmot Starfire (waterproof rain jacket)
This is a snippet of Jackie’s full gear kit. You can learn more about what she packs here.
Lessons Learned
Jackie, on baby steps
“If you know a place, you love a place, and you want to protect it. And sometimes, that place is right where you are. You don’t have to go across the world for that. You can start small, way smaller than what we’ve been talking about. It doesn’t have to be big epic things. You can start on a small scale. You have to start somewhere. Everybody does.”
My $0.02
You are not a spectator.
You were not put on this earth to scroll through life. You're here to participate in it.
So, do something out of the ordinary. Learn a new skill. Talk to a stranger. Take a different route home. Run. Sprint, even. Listen to music a little too loud. Dance.
Have a beer at lunch. Call a friend. Better yet, write them a letter.
Better still, pursue something challenging.
Physical challenges give you a purpose, a north star. Their effect ripples throughout other areas of your life.
And they're fun.
These pursuits show us how to participate in life.
Awesome to meet you the other day, Jake! :) Patagonia is very high on my list of places to visit. Thanks for giving me some more information on it!