Trekking the "O" circuit with 9 friends, new and old over 9 challenging, awe-inspiring magical days was the adventure of a lifetime made possible by Jump's planning to fit the capabilities of the group and especially local lead guide Christian, veteran 30-year Patagonian Anne (both are revered among the guiding community, and known as Leyendas - the Legends) along with the advance work of good humored right-hand porter Miguel. Several of our group are accomplished through-trekkers and mountaineers, but for myself and two others, this was our first multi-day hike, and first using hiking sticks and carrying 20-25lbs. packs prior to the few months of training before this trip. The coordination and thoughtful planning from the moment we were met at tiny Puerto Natales airport revealed itself more fully as our odyssey unfolded. Day 1 we were eased into Patagonia seeing guanacos (think giant llamas) and falcons along the road to Torres del Paine National Park with a stop at a thundering waterfall. Staying in the national park lodge the before a short but somewhat strenuous 'out-and back' hike to The Towers for which the park is named. Parting with everything we would not be carrying on our backs for the next 7 days, we disconnected from 'the grid' and could have left our phones behind too were they not our cameras. The overall plan followed a 'hard day' of 9+ hours hiking across more difficult or 'undulating' terrain alternating with a lighter day of flatter/shorter 6 hours or less of hiking. Following each morning's briefing of our up and down route our group adopted the team name The Undulators :) We also progressed from the luxury of a hotel complete wine list and omelette station to pre-set platform tents (including pads and sleeping bags we gratefully needn't carry nor pitch throughout the trek), on to remote rustic campsites at refugios with limited electricity hours and occasional hot water. Late summer at this high latitude meant sunsets after 9:30pm. Pristine glacial streams every mile or two meant never needing to carry more than 20oz. of drinking water. The biggest day starting in pre-dawn darkness from primitive refugio Los Perros, to the high windy John Garner Pass to connect to a major glacier and multiple hours of steep descent was the deepest point into our journey. My most treasured quiet moment was sharing a yerba máte (South American tea-like ritual) entirely in quiet Spanish with Miguel and Christian in the pre-dawn dark before our team assembled to set out for the high pass. Rest day taking a boat on the glacial lake and fitted with ice-climbing gear with BigFoot glacier guide service to explore crevasses from the top of Grey Glacier (actually the most mystical blue I have ever seen) surpassed all expectations. Christian and Anne quietly imbued us all with their love, wonder and true sense of place of Magellanic Patagonia, its geologic and first peoples history, recent wildfires and glacier recession, unique fauna, wild orchids and breathtaking weather and mountainscapes. We became inconsequential specks of nature amid occasional 60 mph winds and UFO-like lenticular clouds while traversing other-worldly moraine fields, beneath towering avalanching rock spires and unspoiled lakes absent any trace of humanity other than the reassuring orange blazes marking the Circuit that only 3% of park visitors are privileged to experience. Christian's reassuring confidence tending to blistered toes plus special surprises like a mid-hike whiskey toast over an iceberg fragment or pre-dinner 'cocktails' charcuterie board at remote refugios added to the rich vistas of this truly wild place. Words can't describe. Not everyone will opt for, nor could many of my friends and family even complete the physical demands and mental toughness of trekking the 90 miles of the Circuit, but for me it set a new bar for what adventure travel can be. Thank you Jackie, Christian, Anne and Miguel!

This trip had everything! The mountain biking was absolutely thrilling. Playing face to face with sea lion pups, OMG. Kayaking in the most amazing turquoise waters. And the people! Our group bonded immediately. We have created new life long frienships. And our guides were the best. They not only kept us safe on all of our adventures, but taught us about the environment, the culture, and salsa moves. And they too are now friends. And the food good not have been better. The only downside of the entire trip was having to leave Baja and my new friends.

BAJA SUR - This trip had it all - Mountains - Crystal Blue Water - Adventure - Gorgeous Sunrises and Sunsets - Farm to Table Meals that were so delicious - Mountain Biking - Hiking - Mule & Horse Riding - Swimming with Sea Lions - Snorkeling - Kayaking - And just the best group of people to travel alongside - This was our first trip with Jackie and Jump Adventures and I can't wait to travel on another trip planned by Jackie. She found the best guides, the best locations and the accommodations were so unique and beautiful. This trip will always hold a special place in my heart and memory for all the fun, special moments, special people and special experiences we had.