By Kennedy McCarthy from the University of Vermont
During our time with Round River, we went on seven expeditions across Patagonia. We have traveled to many national parks, different remote areas, stayed with Chileans and more. When we’re not gallivanting around, we reside at our beloved Base Camp—Aqua Sol. Aqua Sol is about 3 km from the town square of Cochrane. Sheep, dogs, bandurrias, chickens and the occasional llama frequently meander around the grounds. There are Ñirre trees (Nothofagus antarctica), Darwin’s Bread (Cyttaria darwinii) and Discaria Chacaye scattered throughout the camp. Tiny pink Phlox (Phlox subulata) and blue Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica) are sprinkled throughout the grass, adding some color to an otherwise monochrome environment.
My tent is placed beside the rushing Rio Cochrane, the water is clearer than any I have seen back home.
The river is so clear, cool, and clean that some drink directly from it. Behind Rio Cochrane is the magnificent mountain of Tamango to the north, it catches the sun perfectly at sunset, which doesn’t happen until 9pm now in December.
The camp belongs to the Pizarro family. The Pizarro’s help if any of the amenities go awry. There are two sets of quinchos (which are enclosed wooden rooms) where we cook, partake in class, recreate etc. The two Round River groups; the Abejorros and Hued-Hueds each have their own quinchos on their own side of camp.
Group members tend to set up their tents with their fellow group mates near their respective quinchos. We do, however, frequently make shared dinners, watch movies projected onto a wooden wall, and play games all together.
In addition to the two quinchos, there are three showers, three bathrooms and a bodega available. The bodega is home to all of our personal gear, camp gear, food and other miscellaneous goods. There is also a grand quincho where we occasionally hold group meals or meetings, and a greenhouse.
After time in the field, base camp seems increasingly more luxurious. The warm showers, our personal tents, running water, our food, and clothes that we could not bring in the field with us—things that seem mundane back home, are greeted with excitement and gratitude.
As a campground full of environmentalists, we try to be as energy efficient as possible. Every bag purchased for tortillas or jar for peanut butter is repurposed and used again. We buy as much in bulk as possible including bread, dried apples, oatmeal etc. Food rarely goes to waste—if it is not eaten by us it is eaten by the chickens through our compost. The small quincho has a solar panel attached for electricity use and the heat comes solely through wood burning stoves. The wood comes from a separate Pizarro property that is brought back to Aqua Sol.
Aqua Sol has been our home for the last three months and still there is much to explore on the property. Aqua Sol is also a community center for Cochrane, it holds many local school events, birthday parties, and is a place for Chileans from around the country to come get in touch with nature.