Our fifrth day was our earliest start.  We were up at 6:30am and out on the trail by 8:30am.  We took a trail that climbed high above the stream and was really swampy but could have been worse.  We were again grateful there hadn´t been much rain.  This trail had us weaving in and out of the stunted trees until we hit tree line where it turned into more of a glacial valey.  We commented on how strange it was to meet tree line at just over 2,000 feet.

The valley had lots of water and rocks and multipe water cascades down the mountain side.  The valley was lined with hanging glaciers (relatively small in comparison to others we had seen and were going to see) between Perros and the pass.  We were out in the open and it was pretty windy - temperatures were colder, especially as we climbed the John Gardner pass.  In total we climbed nearly 680m to the top of the pass.  At the top we were blessed once again by extraordinary weather.  We had a rare combination of clear skies and mild, mild winds.  It was 48 degrees but we were able to stay on top for over 30 minutes taking panoramics of the view most people would kill for.  The mountains were incredible but even more so was the enormous glacier that ran the entire length and width of the valley.  PLUS the glaciers that came down the mountain side to feed Glacier Grey.  It was stunning. The glacier is beyond description.  For us to see something like this again you´d have to go to one of the Poles or the Himalayas.

We spent the next 3 hours going straight down hill.  The steepest descent we´ve EVER seen.  We could understand how frightening and slow it could be in heavy rain.  There were hand rails, 2 foot stairs, ropes and tree banisters to aid your descent.  We pitied the people we saw heading up it.  The lenga forest was short and stunted - probably due to the wind and cold.

We continued past Campo Paso to Campamento Guardas.  The trail to Guardas was also pretty sketchy as we crossed two very steep ravines.  Both of which had massive and super steep ladders.  Katie was afraid she would fall backwards off it with her 45 pound back.  We thought again how awful those climbs and descents would be in the rain.

We really liked Guardas.  It was simple, less crowded and sheltered.  Plus, there was an incredible Mirador looking up both the Glacier and Lago Grey.  Arguably the best views we saw of both the lake and the glacier.  Our timing was serendipitous as the weather was perfect.  There was sun across the entire lake, the mountains were in pretty clear view and the glacier was lit up.  Again, beyond description.  Hopefully once we get Lee´s pictures processed we´ll be able to give you an idea of what it looked like.

We also caught a bit of sunset from the same point- the only one we saw our entire trip (no sunrises either).  Our bodies were feeling the 5 days and 50 miles.  We hoped our knees would hold out for the next 30.  Looking back - this was without question our best day.