By: Noah Besemann, College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University
When we arrived in Cochrane, we were graciously accompanied by ‘just a little bit’ of rain. Thus, our introduction to Aquasol was rather abbreviated. Amidst the start of an atmospheric river, we rushed to construct ‘Tent City’, taking turns holding tarps above each person as they pitched their tent, then flocking to the quincho for dinner. Fortunately for us, we managed to stay mostly dry on that first night.
Just two kilometers from the center of town, Camping Aquasol is the primary host of the Round River Conservation Studies Patagonia program. Located on the bank of the Rio (River) Cochrane, Aquasol also operates as a family ranch and homestead, with the sheep and chickens grazing through our campsite on rotation.
The quincho is central to our time in the Patagonian front country. Our first days in Aquasol were spent mostly inside, gathered around the wood stove and hoping to see what the clouds were hiding outside the window.
Each day, the quincho hosts breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Between meals it transforms into a classroom, conference room for trip prep, or whatever configuration we need for the day. (Fun fact: The tables and benches in the quincho were milled from Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio), one of the dominant canopy tree species in the area.)
Packing upwards of twelve people into the quincho made things cozy, but with some warm food and heated discourse, we were slowly turning this place into a home.
Under threat from even more intense rain, the biggest quincho on the property served as a bunkhouse and shelter from the Storm of the Decade (Cochrane received 15cm of rain in 3 days, the most in almost 20 years). Since then, we have lovingly known it as ‘The Palace’ for its size and relative grandeur. It makes a great classroom space on warmer days. Others prefer to call it the ‘Fortress of Solitude’ when in need of a quiet spot.
Though the weather didn’t stop us from swimming in the river, we were all eager to spend more time outside. Assuming the weather permits in this arid region, we enjoy playing frisbee, hackey-sack, or volleyball during our spare time.
Each day at Aquasol, we hope to see the rays of Austral Spring cresting Tamango, helping us understand why the name is so fitting for our place in Patagonia.
