Only 10 hours after arriving into the town on two-wheels, we were stood in total darkness at 3am at the start of the Huemul Circuit, a 4 day trekking route that is regarded as the toughest in Patagonia. Our goal, to become the first people to complete the trail in under 24 hours. What lay ahead was the toughest day of our lives. Our strategy was fairly simple, we would run wherever possible to make up time, and take it steady during treacherous sections. The last thing we wanted was an injury, as that coul escalate into something serious. The mountains in Patagonia are not like the French alps, and there is no army of mountain rescue with helicopters and dogs, you are pretty much on your own until a handful of rangers may come looking for you. We would avoid any lengthy breaks, and would fuel ourselves as we travelled, with one 10 minute break for lunch at the midway point.
