Who are the porters?
The porters are people who will help us with the logistics of transporting luggage during our trip. They will be in charge of carrying items such as: tents, sleeping bags, mats/insulators and dry bags*. They will transport these items from EcoCamp or the camps occupied during the trek, to our next stops, making sure to arrive on time so that we can find these items at our disposal once we arrive at the camps/refugios.
*Dry bags: Dry bags are waterproof bags in which we can store the items that we will not need during the walks and keep them dry and insulated while the porters transport them. The dry bag limit (regulated based on the weight that is healthy for porters to carry) is 15 Lt. and 5 Kg/11 Lb. each (in case there is more than one dry bag on your trip).
These bags will be labeled with your name so that they are not confused with those of other members of your group.
Dry bag logistics for the 5 Days W Trek
Upon arrival at EcoCamp, the guides will give a briefing to explain in detail the logistics of the dry bags and the next day's activity.
On the 5-day W trek, you will have 1 dry bag. You must fill this dry bag with your belongings on day 1 of your itinerary. On day 2, while you walk towards Paine Grande, the porters will transport this dry bag to the Paine Grande Camping and Refugio, so that you have it on the afternoon of day 2.
Tips for assembling dry bags
- In dry bags, store items that you will only need during the nights in refugios, for example: change of clothes (underwear, pants, t-shirts, first layers, socks).
- Sleeping bags and insulators/mats are NOT stored in the dry bags; these will be transported separately by the porters.
- Do not store items that you will need every night such as personal hygiene items or medications; we recommend that you carry these items in your daily backpack.
- Do not store items that are too large or heavy. Remember these must be transported by the porters and have a limit of 5 Kg / 11 Lb.
- Do not store flammable or too delicate items that could cause accidents for those transporting the dry bags.
- Avoid storing food in dry bags, as it can ruin the bag and also spoil the food.