by Hayden Childs, University of Vermont
We all met at the baggage claim. Our fully equipped backpacks made it easy to identify one another. Bits of nervous small talk filled the awkward silences as the reality of the trip we had all been anticipating began to set in.
Team Ñandú takes in the views on the Carreterra Austral. Photo by Adam Spencer
Squeezed between gear and new companions, we then drove towards Coyhaique with the beauty of an unfamiliar landscape inspiring conversations and curiosities. Our first two days together we immediately grew closer and the silences grew shorter. Sharing yerba mate and stories, we reached an unspoken understanding of the positive experiences these next three months would have in store.
After being comforted by the luxuries of the town – delicious restaurants and comfortable beds, we set out for the more rugged outdoors we would make our home. With frequent stops to take in the views and stand in awe at the snow peaked mountains and the turquoise waters, we each began to feel an urge to more thoroughly understand the life around us. The 8 hours we spent on the gravel Carreterra Austral made us realize the expansive beauty that had attracted us and many others to Patagonia.
Hayden beholds the confluence of the Baker and Neff Rivers. Photo by Adam Spencer
Rae and Camille survey the falls of the Baker River. Photo by Hayden Childs
After setting our tents up at our basecamp, we enjoyed a welcoming meal prepared by our host family as we sat in the warmth of the woodstove. The next morning we would wake ourselves up with more mate and a swim in the frigid Cochrane River next to our campsite. Following our first class, Natural History of Patagonia, we prepared for our first backpacking trip. Half of the team planned out meals while the other half ensured we would have working stoves to cook on.
The following morning we drove to the trailhead with the same nervous excitement we had at the airport. We hiked across valleys of Coigue forests and mountains of scrubland with snowcapped peaks on either side and a ribbon of crystal clear water below us. Learning new species as we moved through the changing habitats, we began to feel closer to the land around us. With steep drops to our right, we placed our feet carefully while still gazing at the exposed peaks. That first night spent in the Tamango Reserve provided a mere glimpse of the beauty that we were yet to see. We awoke the next morning to the sound of the wind coming off of the lake and whipping against our tents and continued upwards towards our next campsite.
Matt leads the group into the Tamango Reserve. Photo by Adam Spencer
We hiked along the Cochrane River, where flyfishermen caught a couple of nice rainbow trout while we ate lunch. Photo by Adam Spencer
A day in the wild seemed to be enough to teach us to identify basic plant and bird species on our own, with many more to be quickly learned. That night we had class in our sleeping bags as we discussed what environments in our lives had inspired us to become conservationists. With memories of home, tired legs, and a yearning for more adventure we slept well that night, despite the freezing temperatures and the hail that pummeled our tents. The next morning, we descended from the cold valley and eventually returned to the dryer and warmer climate where we began. Having completed our first backpacking trip as a group, we became excited for the many more to come.
We hiked back down to Cochrane on a clear morning with a view of the surrounding mountains. Photo by Hayden Childs.