On my first attempt, it was about 16°C with a mild wind when I started the hike. The first 10 kilometers were already tough for me. When I finally saw the sign that said “1 km to Laguna de los Tres,” I felt so relieved. I thought the hardest part was over.

Wrong…………….

That last kilometer is something else. You gain about 1300 ft. of elevation in just 1 kilometer. The trail tilts sharply upward, with large rocks, loose stones, and very strong and sudden gusts that make you feel small. It can take another 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. It took everything out of me.

Disheartened and intimidated by the steep ascent, I turned back.

I felt defeated, especially because one of the main reasons I came to Patagonia was to complete this hike. I did not want to begin 2026 with a feeling of defeat and fear.

Pasado mañana — the day after tomorrow — after taking a few ibuprofen and gathering my courage, I resumed my journey to Laguna de los Tres. I was determined to conquer my fear of that last kilometer.

The wind was even stronger — and without proper hiking boots — I climbed the final kilometer without looking back. Step by step.

When I reached the top, the view was cloudy. Fitz Roy was partly hidden. But strangely, it didn’t matter. The real victory wasn’t the view. It was proving to myself that fear doesn’t get the final word.

Maybe life is like that. Steep. Windy. Uncomfortable. Sometimes overwhelming. And yes, you will make mistakes along the way. You might turn back. You might doubt yourself. You might feel scared.

But if you gather the courage to push through, you eventually reach your own Laguna de los Tres.

Cerro Fitz Roy

Laguna Capri and Laguna de los Tres (Total Distance: 22 KMS with 3,445 feet elevation gain)

It is often said that the summit of Mount Fitz Roy wears a “cap cloud” — a cloud that appears almost stationary while fierce winds roar through the mountain. Anyone who has hiked to Laguna de los Tres can relate to what I am describing.

And that makes it worth it!!