By Johannah Frisby, College of Saint Benedict’s
On Wednesday October 10th, Round River and 30 students from Cochrane’s elementary school took a day-long field trip to visit our neighboring glacier. Neither group had been to the Cayuqueo Glacier before and excitement filled the chilly morning air. It was a day described as being filled with amistad – friendship, respeto – respect, naturaleza – nature, and so much more.
We were lucky to have such a warm day with a clear blue sky where we could clearly see and enjoy all the wonders of the Cayuqueo that surrounded us. Before our short hike down the morena – moraine, we got into our groups for the day. There were lots of giggles as we all tried to work past the language barrier between us. After a few minutes, and group names assigned, we were all fast friends.
4th grade students from Cochrane spilled out of their school busses and swarmed an overlook to the Cayuquello Glacier, as we broke into groups and tried to make order of the chaotic excitement. Photo by Adam Spencer
Fernando lead us all down the trail, two kids to one adult or Round River student. At first, we were all a little nervous traversing down loose rocks, and for some it was their first time going on a hike. We all made it down safe and sound, holding hands the whole way.
Round River students led 4th graders from Cochrane’s elementary school down and over the rocky moraine, holding hands with the 9 and 10 year olds to help them keep their footing. Photo by Adam Spencer
Once we got to the base of the hike, we had a little lesson on glaciers. We learned why the water was milky and how the glacier had receded leaving deep cuts in the land that then filled with water of the lake around us. Most importantly, we learned that we are like the glacier, filled with water and part of the Earth.
Drew Corrigan (UVM) helps his team find the species listed on the Natural History Bingo search. Photo by Johannah Frisby
After our lesson, we got back into our groups for Bingo. We ran around the Ñirre and Coigue trees, jumped over rocks covered with lichen, excitedly pointed to the sky when we saw four Andean Condors flying above us and some even claimed to have seen the elusive Huemul. We drew Las Gemelas and the glacier valley, and fifteen minutes later raced back to turn in our Bingo sheets. More activities ensued and conversation between the two groups of students flowed.
Students search for plants and birds to win Bingo! Photo by Johannah Frisby
While taking a student to rinse her hands off in the river, we noticed how beautiful the rocks were, and found leeches and little crustaceans crawling on them. Then we noticed a little island filled with a bunch of cool rocks just a short jump away and all the other students came to join us too. Rocks of all different colors, shapes and sizes; shiny, sparkly, and lined, we found them all. Some threw bigger rocks into the lake to make big splashes, some held on to the little tiny rocks until they fell through the cracks of their fingers. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves until it was time for lunch.
Walking along the rocky morraine, we kept together to assure some of the students who were less confident that they could make it – and to assure some of those who were very confident that they didn’t fall off! Photo by Johannah Frisby
Chile Program Coordinator Fernando Iglesias Letelier leads the Cochraninos up the hill after teaching them about glaciology, climate change, and how we are all elementally and spiritually connected to the glaciers and nature. Photo by Adam Spencer
After hiking back up the morena, much more comfortable with the land beneath our feet than before, we ate our Gringo Soup and Sandwiches and played around the rocks. Cochrane and Round River kids laughed and joked together and even took a few selfies. It was a good day to be a kid enjoying the Patagonian wilderness.
What a playground! Kids jumped around the rocks after lunch. Photo by Johannah Frisby
Once all the sandwiches were gone, bellies filled and rocks jumped on, we had our farewell activity. We shared words that described the day: friendship, respect, nature, and more. We inhaled the air of the beautiful glacial land around us and exhaled a deep love for our Earth. As Fernando said, when we look at the glacier and the world around us we are looking in a mirror. We are all made up of the same water and a part of the same life. What a beautiful place that is.
Round River staff and students with kids and teachers from the Cochrane elementary school on their first trip to Glacier Cayuqueo. Photo by Adam Spencer