by Katie Adase, of West Virginia University

6:30am: the stars were still bright as Team Chucao tore down our tents at Camping Aquasol for the last time. Though we embraced our friends in Cochrane for the final guaranteed time, the energy surrounding me was one of omniscient awareness that this would not be the last of our adventures. Driving north along the Carretera Austral, and journeying east on Ruta CH-265, we reclaimed our nomad roots, chasing the heels of the sun into the Reserve Nacional Lago Jeinimeni.

Trailhead in Reserve Nacional Lago Jeinimeni.

Here, we would walk through the Patagón wilderness together one last time. As we traversed the cobbled riverbeds, taking in the grandeur of the variegated lenga forests, I began to reflect upon all the places where my feet have imprinted upon this Earth. The last three months have challenged my body, mind, and soul in ways that no amount of studying, planning, or researching could have prepared me for. After over a year of lists, saving pennies, and juggling logistic bowling pins on fire, I made it to the Punta Arenas Airport, my yodeling pickle in tow, and said to Adam, “Yeah, I pretty much live in a constant state of chaos.” Finally, back to the place that started my journey into the world of conservation, Patagonia proved to be, once again, a place that never fails to deliver winds to shake my core.

Backpacking through Patagonian Autumn.

So here we are, in Jeinimeni Sector of the Patagonia National Park, our final days together as Team Chucao – a rag-tag band of misfits navigating through bogs, scrambling atop alpine scree, and breathing the freshest air that any of us have ever, and will ever know. This group of 8 students and 2-9 instructors have seen each other laugh, cry, laugh until we cry, fall, bleed, metamorphose, and thrive in landscapes that have led all of us to consider that God(s) may exist.

Taking a break on trail to soak up the sunshine.

Trekking 16km through the valley, we found ourselves at Valle Hermoso for two nights. No scientific agenda, we were left to sing, laugh, tell and retell our favorite stories from the semester, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

It was a “pants-off for safety” kind of river crossing in the Jeinimeni Reserve.

I entered this program unsure of who I was, unsure of where I belonged (if anywhere), but most of all, frustrated about my uncertainties. Though I have not found the answers to these qualms, and I surely understand even less of the world than I thought, I have realized my emotional struggles through this time to be a sort of emotional growing pains. Only being in the field of conservation for ~2 years, I often found myself to be overly ready to share my experiences and knowledge; my afterthoughts always pounding in my head, “You are not special, what are you contributing?” I wanted so badly to be humble but could not break from asserting myself. Then, somewhere between the glacially carved fjords and vast Patagonian steppe I realized: I am no longer a newborn in this world. I do not have to try to prove my skill set to my colleagues through verbal anecdotes. I am here because I am a conservationist- ready and able to make a difference.

Team Chucao shares memories and mate at the Fogón of Valle Hermoso- Jeinimeni National Reserve.

It was now time to prove my growth. Could I allow myself to take a chance, out of control, outside of my plans to follow my passion and sense of adventure?

I accepted an offer to stay in Patagonia after this semester, working as an intern at Puesto Ñandu throughout the Chacabuco Valley winter. Follow your heart. Be spontaneous. Be grateful, humble, and always learning.

For this, I would like to give a toast to Patagonia-

Whose mountains impressed upon us their glory the first moment that the sun crested their summits

Whose rivers flow with all of the strength and pride of the communities they satisfy

Whose glaciers carve their legacy through rock as ancient as the star light that reflects in their pools

Whose fjords form a labyrinth of mist and mystery, sending our quest for understanding into the ether

Whose creatures sent us crawling through thickets of thorns, just to catch a glimpse of their shadows

Whose winds take our breathes away just long enough to feel the exhilaration of being alive

It was you, Patagonia, who gave us a home

But it was you, my friends, who made this a family

Muchísimas gracias

 

Shay; Adam; Gabe; Diana; Valeria; Mateo; Feña; Doug; Frank

Baillie; Sam; Siena; Erica; Laura; Lyndsey; Nate

Orfelina; Ignacia; Mauricio

Daniel y Bella; Cristián; Patricia; Macka, Esteban, Isabel y Javi

Y mi Benja

Team Chucao