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Welcome to The Ascend Archives Tuesday Tale, a weekly newsletter where I share a story about a transformation, revelation, or change in thinking that has helped improve an aspect of my life.

Today’s newsletter is different. Instead of retelling a story, I’m going back to my exact thoughts during the story.

Below is a combination of journal entries and some added commentary for context of my solo trip to Patagonia in December 2022.

This was a pivotal trip in many unexpected ways.

Day 1 - Santiago, Chile

My first meal in Santiago has been a struggle.

Nobody speaks English. It’s been 10 years since I took Spanish and the few weeks of Duolingo leading up to the trip isn’t helping. I was scared to place my order in Spanish and sound dumb but I went for it.

Day 2 - Puerto Natales, Chile

We just finished our debrief. Turns out I’m completing the 5 day hike with 12 strangers.

The company is dropping us off in Torre Del Paine National Park, giving us a map with directions where to go, and its up to us to figure out the rest. As someone that has only been to one national park in my life (and I went glamping), I’m a bit intimidated.

Ricci, the tour company owner, shared with us his love for Torre Del Paine and the W-Trek we are about to embark on.

Here are a few of my takeaways from his talk:

• “Respect your limits” … Take your time on the hikes and don’t push yourself too far

• Get ready to experience all four seasons in one day

• Get to know the other people in the group. This is not just an experience to see cool views, but a chance to bond and learn from those around you.

Day 3 - Torre Del Paine, Base Towers

Thoughts from the summit of my first hike

I think hiking is a new hobby of mine.

There were moments today that felt boring or were tough cuz my shoulder hurt from carrying my bag. It was cold and windy but sitting here at the top makes it all worth it.

Moments like seeing the rare Chilean dear and drinking pure water from the stream. Those are the memorable moments where I feel present. It’s why I came thousands of miles from home, alone.

Today I bonded with folks. Becca also invests in real estate. Maybe I can push her to buy that four unit property. Tim and Joanna are really nice people from Wilmington. Sounds like a cool little beach town to live a nice simple life. North Carolina is a good real estate market. Could be a potential future destination.

Got some cool pics but really didn’t come here for the pictures. I’ll make a collage or something to hang up on the wall but ultimately I’m here for the experience.

Great first day! Excited to get back and grab a beer with the squad.

Day 4 - Torre Del Paine, Los Cuernos

5:50 AM

Slept in a bit today. Feeling sore and it’s cold.

But had to get outside to take in the quiet and stillness. Today is gonna be a long day but then the next two days are pretty chill.

Gonna stay hydrated, take my time today and I’ll be good.

2 PM

This is an amazing stretch of stillness.

Haven’t seen anyone on the trail for about 30 minutes. Just feel at peace. Can hear the wind, the birds chirping, the waves crashing against the shores.

I’m just in a flow state where I don’t feel the pain in my quads or my shoulders.

I’m just going.

This is what being present is all about. I’m doing this to be active and feel alive. Not just sitting around waiting to die.

I’m taking chances and getting to enjoy what is out here.

Day 5 - Torre Del Paine, The French Valley

The hiking has been a great combination of time alone and time with the group.

I’ve only known these people for 2 days but after 16 hour days hiking and sharing all our meals together, I feel like I know them better than all my friends in Austin. There is something about being on the other side of the world, hiking in nature with other like minded people that just allows you to open up.

I’ve particularly bonded with the Tim and Joanna from North Carolina. They remind me of the relationship I have with my older cousins.

Tim is giving me inspiration for all my future hiking adventures and tips on the best whiskeys. Joanna shared her story moving to Wrightsville Beach and meeting Tim. Next thing I know, I’m sharing my journey moving from Chicago to Austin after a breakup and what led me to Patagonia (a guy that has never been on actual hiking trip in his life to fly across the world alone to hike 45 miles in 5 days).

Definitely not what I expected but I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Day 9 - Santiago, Chile

Finishing off the trip with goal setting. Treated myself to a few nights at the Ritz to decompress from hiking. Got a massage and spent time reflecting on the year ahead.

Just watched a David Osborn masterclass on goal setting and taking action right away. I have a ton of ideas and things I want to accomplish. Now it’s about categorizing them, making them easy and obvious to achieve.

Final Thoughts

I thought this trip was about being on my own.

Taking time to get away from work. To distract myself from my Ex’s Christmas traditions. To go to a beautiful place and take in the views.

And yes it was all of those things but it became more.

Ricci was right. What made this trip special was the people I met along the way.

The random kid from Wyoming that saw my Michigan hat in the bus station. We went on to share stories for 6 hours as we traveled from Puntas Arenas to Puerto Natales together.

The other Andrew in my hiking group that invited me to go scuba diving in Honduras a few months after our trip.

Zimmy, a fellow solo traveler. NYC law student and immigrant from China.

The Canadian digital nomads that made us Eggnog on Christmas.

Tim and Joanna who I recently met up with in Italy on a whim and am still close with today.

Yes, solo travel can be intimidating and there is a lot of time when you are on your own. But I have found that I was never really all alone.

Since that trip, I have continued my solo travels. I have met dozen of people from all over the world who look out for other strangers, who want to share stories, and who care about making the most of these life experiences.

Most of the time, I’ll have a few beers, share a few stories with these people then never see them again.

But the memories will always be there and you never know when you’ll find the friends like Tim and Joanna who you can spontaneously meet up with in Italy.