First semester reflections

This is a long one, we we’re so busy living life, learning, walking, experiencing that we let our posts take the very back seat. These are the words of the four incredible young men that now have 4+ months of life in Patagonia under their belts. We could not be more proud of them nor proud to be a part of their team.

Zach

This semester has taught me a lot. In terms of the external- culture, language, lifestyle- as well as the internal- myself. The intensity of the setting has served as a perfect domain of hard self-reflection. When you watch somebody roughly your own age single handedly seize a furious cow by the horns and muscle it to the ground, it really puts your own ability in perspective. I’ve had a lot of times like that, in which cultural contrast has forced me to look into myself, to honestly analyze what qualities of mine fall short. Being without has forced me to identify what I really need and what is just extra weight in my backpack, literally and metaphorically.

Above all, Patagonia has given me a frame of understanding the world that is more rooted in objective reality. Being such an experience rich in self reflection, this semester has essentially given me the base knowledge to understand how little I know and how much work I need to do on myself in order to become a man. 

It’s a strange concept, having to be taught that you don’t know anything, but some things require a certain level of base understanding in order to comprehend the bigger picture. To illustrate this idea, imagine a man who doesn’t know how to swim training for a triathlon. In order to comprehend the difficulty and passion necessary to complete the swimming portion of the race, the man must first learn to swim. Before he does that he cannot possibly understand how much work he must do to achieve this goal. He has to arrive at a certain base level of understanding, before he can visualize the bigger picture. 

This semester has taught me to swim. When I arrived here, I was entirely oblivious to the difficulty and passion necessary to become the kind of man I want to be. I had no understanding of how much work there is to do in order to achieve this goal. This semester has guided me to arrive at a base level of understanding in order to visualize the bigger picture of the life I want to live.

Noah 

Being back in guadal with everyone feels like a big city after living on the trail and at the ranch for so long. Good memories here in the land of plenty, as we’ve come to call the town. Reliving the last 4 months with friends that feel like family. So much has changed for all of us since we arrived, mentally and physically. The first semester of this program is coming to an end, and now I find it necessary to sit back and reflect on the meaning of this trip. What have I learned? Where to begin with that question? I’ve learned how to start fires without fire starter, work in a ranch, cook on the trail and in a kitchen, and speak (some) Spanish. I’ve learned the importance of awareness and being present, and how I can help people without being asked first. I’ve learned that I have a group of friends that have my back through the most intense of situations. From the chaos of chasing down farm animals to the mental struggles we all face, this group of brothers has helped me through it all. This trip has been anything but easy, it has challenged me in more ways than I can count. But returning to the meaning of this journey, has it been worth it? Has it been worth the 5 hour treks in lashing rain? Has it been worth giving up all the material comforts I enjoy at home? Has it been worth waking up at 5 in the morning to start the fire so me and my friends can have breakfast and hot matè? Yes, I can definitively say that it has been worth all that and more.

Jacob

In 4 months in patagonia one blog can’t even begin to describe what us as individuals and as a group have learned. We have been through bad times and a lot of good times together and have come out better people on the other side. We have met so many amazing people and formed amazing relationships, we have grown physically and a lot mentally. An example of coming far physically would be turning a walk that took us 6 hours the first time, and making it in 2 and a half hours most recently. Our mental capacities have grown and we are able to absorb much more and be really present mentally. We are only halfway to the end of the program but the strides the group has made already is staggering. With new members now joining it is our hope to keep being present and absorb knowledge as well as help this next group make the transition as we did.

Jack

It seems as though everything has changed since our arrival in September. I can remember the fields barren. The mountains encapsulated in snow. The rivers winding their way around the rocks on the bottoms of the river beds.

Now the sun burns bright in the sky until 10 pm. The grassess have grown tall. Bending with the breeze, not to return to their upright position until the winds grow quiet with the night. The rivers run with strength, eating away at the earth, pulling branches and trees with their current. 

Our first semester here in Patagonia has come to a close. The boys and I are about to begin our personal travels. We have lived here for four months now. In these four months we have lived a variety of places and situations. From Sol de mayo ranch, to the backcountry, to various gaucho families and ranchers. Here my brothers and I have reflected our environment. Growing together with the seasons the rivers and the grasses. Growing because it's what we search for and what makes sense with fulfilment. Each of us doing it with the humility that runs in the rivers, the humility that grows in the fields, and the confidence that breeds the mountains. Growing with our new families and friends, learning everyday from each other. 

We have gained countless skills and new capabilities. These capabilities and skills now allow us to live and thrive in any environment. But what speaks most to me are the relationships we have built here. The new relationships with ourselves and those with others. To me the most important are those with ourselves. 

My relationship with myself has changed dramatically this semester. Earlier in the semester I encountered a threshold concept. Living with the boys and being a mentor was difficult at first but I began to figure out the dynamics enough to do it well. What I was lacking however was perspective. I lacked an honest perspective of myself and my role. Living and teaching the boys made me realize how little I really know. I did not understood the amount of questions I had but really began to ask them. This lead me to understand and accept that I know nothing, or at least I know much less than I originally thought. My newfound perspective hit me hard. In this place it really rocked my world. It was a very hard thing to swallow for me. Knocking my ego down to the ground. It wasn't until I began to act and live upon this new idea that I felt I could lead and mentor. Live and be a friend. Once I passed this perspective check I began to live and learn happier. More proactively and with more humility. I saw a real change in my relationships and how I viewed them. I thank my friends for inadvertently showing my this way of looking at things and really loving it. 

So, here we are ending our first semester. Looking back, focusing on the most profound movements and trying to give body and shape. Doing my best here with words. Sharing the pieces I can. I don't know much but what I do know is wherever we are going next we will go there well and do it well. We understand. I understand what I need to do and I will take these ideas and perspectives forward to share with as many people as I can. 

At the back of a long dirt road are the surprises we search

What we get packed into one single day

Every day we wake up in Patagonia, whether in Sol or Guadal there is always a new experience awaiting the group. Day-to-day we all learn new things, about construction, about ourselves, others around us or even just housekeeping. The lessons we have already learned and continue to learn amaze all of us. From Zach learning to work a chainsaw to cut firewood, the group learning to make bread, and even build a house. For example, when we left Sol we packed out our necessities and walked out to the notorious Unimog. We made it to Don Everisto’s ranch and stopped in. he exemplified what amazes me here, how welcoming people are as he invited us in to talk and drink mate. This turned what could have been painful wait for Dan and Gringo’s arrival to show us the warmest homecoming. After Dan and Gringo arrived we talked for a little bit and unpacked their supplies and we hit the road to the Balsa. Halfway there I got a chance to drive the Mog, which was an amazing experience. To be manning a machine equivalent to a tank was an amazing sensation and definitely something I will never forget. Once arriving at the Balsa we were shocked to see that it was closed, without much lag we turned back to go to the newly built bridge but knowing the Mog couldn't cross. We needed to get over a ridge to get cell phone reception where Jonathan could call for someone to pick us up. Once we got reception Jonathan confirmed the pickup and we had a plan to get to Guadal. Arriving at the bridge a passing big rig stopped and had informed us that we could cross, which we proceeded to do, and finally we had crossed Rio Baker. We got to our first turn and saw a man had broken down, we stopped and all pushed the Chevy off to the side. After chatting for a few minutes, Juan, the man jonathan had called to pick us up pulled in. Jonathan paid off Juan and the man who had broken down now had a ride to get to Cochrane. It amazed me to see a form of organized chaos work out so well and how things are meant to happen for a reason. The lessons learned from this one day travelling out from Sol to Guadal showed all of us that even when things don't work out as planned, you cannot panic, nor give up, you work through it and figure out another plan and sometimes it works out a lot better than what you had initially set out to do. Besides lessons, that experience was really exciting and fun to just wing it and go. I can't imagine what lies ahead if we can learn all this in just one day. 

 - Jacob Sweeney

Todos los días nos levantamos en la Patagonia, ya sea en Sol o Guadal, siempre hay una nueva experiencia esperando al grupo. Día a día, todos aprendemos cosas nuevas, sobre construcción, sobre nosotros mismos, otras personas que nos rodean o incluso solo sobre la limpieza. Las lecciones que ya hemos aprendido y que seguimos aprendiendo nos sorprenden a todos. Desde Zach aprendiendo a trabajar con una motosierra para cortar leña, el grupo aprendiendo a hacer pan e incluso a construir una casa. Por ejemplo, cuando dejamos Sol empacamos nuestras necesidades y salimos al famoso Unimog. Llegamos al rancho de Don Everisto y nos detuvimos. Él ejemplificó lo que me sorprende aquí, lo acogedora que es la gente cuando nos invitó a hablar y tomar mate. Esto resultó en lo que pudo haber sido doloroso esperar a la llegada de Dan y Gringo para mostrarnos la bienvenida más cálida. Después de que Dan y Gringo llegaron, hablamos un poco, desempacamos sus suministros y nos pusimos en camino hacia Balsa. A mitad de camino tuve la oportunidad de conducir el Mog, que fue una experiencia increíble. Manejar una máquina equivalente a un tanque fue una sensación increíble y definitivamente algo que nunca olvidaré. Una vez que llegamos a Balsa, nos sorprendimos al ver que estaba cerrado, sin mucho retraso nos volvimos para ir al puente recién construido pero sabiendo que el Mog no podía cruzar. Necesitábamos superar una cresta para recibir la recepción del teléfono celular donde Jonathan podía llamar a alguien para que nos recogiera. Una vez que recibimos la recepción, Jonathan confirmó la recogida y teníamos un plan para llegar a Guadal. Al llegar al puente, una gran plataforma que pasaba se detuvo y nos informó que podíamos cruzar, lo cual procedimos a hacer, y finalmente habíamos cruzado Río Baker. Llegamos a nuestro primer giro y vimos que un hombre se había derrumbado, nos detuvimos y todos empujamos al Chevy a un lado. Después de conversar durante unos minutos, Juan, el hombre que Jonathan había llamado para que nos recogiera se detuvo. Jonathan pagó a Juan y el hombre que se había averiado ahora tenía que ir a Cochrane. Me sorprendió ver que una forma de caos organizado funciona tan bien y cómo se supone que las cosas sucedan por alguna razón. Las lecciones aprendidas de este viaje de un día desde Sol a Guadal nos mostraron a todos que, incluso cuando las cosas no funcionan según lo planeado, no se puede entrar en pánico, ni darse por vencido, se trabaja y se da cuenta de otro plan y a veces funciona. mucho mejor de lo que inicialmente te propusiste hacer. Además de las lecciones, esa experiencia fue realmente emocionante y divertida, simplemente volarla e ir. No puedo imaginar lo que nos espera si podemos aprender todo esto en un solo día.

Jacob Sweeney

Natural Inspiration - Inspiración Natural

What is it about nature that inspires such wonder and reflection in the minds of humans? Is it the indescribable beauty that we constantly try to describe through writing, art, and photos? Is it the incomprehensible vastness that we attempt to comprehend with modern science and ancient spirituality? Is it the absence of humanity’s ever-growing footprint on the natural world, which through our own presence in nature we expand even further? Whatever the cause, no one who has spent considerable time in nature can deny the profound effect that it has on the human psyche. The 16th century scholar, geographer, and philosopher Alexander Von Humboldt sought to explain the connection between nature and our minds in his book Cosmos. Von Humboldt writes “The earnest and solemn thoughts awakened by a communion with nature intuitively arise from a presentiment of the order and harmony pervading the whole universe”. In my opinion this is the most complete answer to the question of why nature provokes such strong feelings in humans. So many religions and philosophies are rooted in a desire to understand the world and our role in it. What many of these ignore is the fact that us humans are only a miniscule part of the world. We are but one tiny piece in the massive puzzle of the universe, a puzzle that is amazing both in its scale and its organization. Being in a purely natural environment reminds us of this “order and harmony pervading the universe”. It assures us that whatever spirituality or philosophy we subscribe to, we are a part of something greater than ourselves. I write this while sitting on a fallen tree beside the river that flows from the glacial Lago Claro. Smooth rocks beneath my feet, warm sun on my back, a slight breeze blowing through my hair. The only sounds are those of nature: flowing water, wind rustling the trees, birds singing. Snow-capped mountains loom on all sides, standing out against the deep blue sky. On the opposite bank the layers of sediment tell the story of this land, there are no concrete roads or buildings here, no footprints even. Everything here, from the trees to the mountains to the people is vividly alive. I believe that this is a direct result of the communion with nature that Von Humboldt spoke of. This morning was spent doing hard work, and this afternoon will hold more of the same, but the fact that I can look around at this stunning panorama at any point fills me with energy both mentally and physically. This is the nature of nature, to inspire us to look up at the mountains and stars, down at the rocks, and continue our daily routines with a little extra awareness of our own existence.

Noah Kirby

¿Qué tiene la naturaleza que inspira tanta maravilla y reflexión en la mente de los humanos? ¿Es la belleza indescriptible que constantemente tratamos de describir a través de la escritura, el arte y las fotos? ¿Es la inmensidad incomprensible que intentamos comprender con la ciencia moderna y la espiritualidad antigua? ¿Es la ausencia de la huella cada vez mayor de la humanidad en el mundo natural, que a través de nuestra propia presencia en la naturaleza nos expandimos aún más? Cualquiera sea la causa, nadie que haya pasado un tiempo considerable en la naturaleza puede negar el profundo efecto que tiene sobre la psique humana. El erudito, geógrafo y filósofo del siglo XVI Alexander Von Humboldt intentó explicar la conexión entre la naturaleza y nuestras mentes en su libro Cosmos. Von Humboldt escribe: "Los pensamientos serios y solemnes despertados por una comunión con la naturaleza surgen intuitivamente de un presentimiento del orden y la armonía que impregna todo el universo". En mi opinión, esta es la respuesta más completa a la pregunta de por qué la naturaleza provoca sentimientos tan fuertes en los humanos. Muchas religiones y filosofías tienen sus raíces en el deseo de comprender el mundo y nuestro papel en él. Lo que muchos de estos ignoran es el hecho de que nosotros los humanos somos solo una parte minúscula del mundo. No somos más que una pequeña pieza en el enorme rompecabezas del universo, un rompecabezas que es sorprendente tanto en su escala como en su organización. Estar en un entorno puramente natural nos recuerda este "orden y armonía que impregna el universo". Nos asegura que cualquier espiritualidad o filosofía a la que nos suscribamos, somos parte de algo más grande que nosotros mismos. Escribo esto sentado en un árbol caído al lado del río que fluye del glacial Lago Claro. Rocas lisas bajo mis pies, sol cálido en mi espalda, una ligera brisa que soplaba en mi cabello. Los únicos sonidos son los de la naturaleza: agua corriente, viento que susurra los árboles, pájaros cantando. Las montañas cubiertas de nieve se ciernen por todos lados, sobresaliendo contra el cielo azul profundo. En la orilla opuesta, las capas de sedimentos cuentan la historia de esta tierra, no hay caminos o edificios de concreto aquí, ni huellas ni siquiera. Todo aquí, desde los árboles hasta las montañas y la gente, está vívidamente vivo. Creo que este es un resultado directo de la comunión con la naturaleza de la que habló Von Humboldt. Esta mañana la pasé haciendo un trabajo arduo, y esta tarde tendrá más de lo mismo, pero el hecho de que pueda mirar este impresionante panorama en cualquier momento me llena de energía tanto mental como física. Esta es la naturaleza de la naturaleza, para inspirarnos a mirar a las montañas y las estrellas, a las rocas, y continuar nuestras rutinas diarias con un poco más de conciencia de nuestra propia existencia.

Noah Kirby

Full cycle thinking

    On Sol De Mayo, every action is an act of creation. Every task we undertake generates something new in one way or another. However, here in the camp, our most powerful and significant creation emerges from its own antithesis, destruction.

    When we destroy something, we create something new, and I am not referring to the mess we create in the process of destroying. I mean that in the wake of destroying, we are also creating. This can be understood in a very literal or very metaphorical sense, but regardless it rings true. Allow me to illustrate this thought.

    In the literal sense, we destroy trees with axes, and create a fence with the harvested wood in order to protect our crops. We destroy a chicken, and from it create food in order to feed ourselves. Jacob destroys the tips of his fingers playing guitar and creates a beautiful portrait on a sonic canvass for us to enjoy. In each example, total annihilation begets an entirely new concept. The amount of things we physically destroy in a day in the pursuit of creation is nearly immeasurable. However, some of the most profound moments of the trip thus far have stemmed not from physical destruction, but mental destruction.

    The metaphorical sense is not as cut and dry. It is, unfortunately, not as simple to explain as is destroying firewood to create heat. Nonetheless, it follows the same formula of destroying to create, though rather than destroying firewood, we destroy mental barriers. Rather than creating heat, we create new skills and ideas within our minds. We destroy our sense of homely comfort by exposing ourselves to a radically new and changing environment, and in turn create a more resilient and disciplined mind. We destroy our deeply rooted understanding and expectations of human society by immersing ourselves in a culture phenomenally different than our own, and harvest a mind that is more open to what it does not immediately understand. We destroy barriers of language and culture by laughing and dancing with invigorating people, and create exciting and meaningful new relationships.

    Despite all of the things that I have helped to destroy on Sol De Mayo, my ultimate goal is the destruction of myself. I mean this beyond the literal sense, such as destroying my hands digging garden beds to create callus on my hands. I mean to destroy all the meaningless labels that I use to define myself, and to destroy the dogmas and judgements that grip me. I hope that by destroying who I believe myself to be, I can create a raw and authentic new self, one that is not chained to superficiality and conformity. And, every day, with the help of my friends and mentors, I get a little bit better at destroying myself. 

En Sol De Mayo, cada acción es un acto de creación. Cada tarea que emprendemos genera algo nuevo de una forma u otra. Sin embargo, aquí en el campamento, nuestra creación más poderosa y significativa emerge de su propia antítesis; la destrucción.

    Cuando destruimos algo creamos algo nuevo, y no me refiero al desorden que creamos en el proceso de destrucción, sino que realmente estamos creando algo nuevo. Esto puede entenderse en un sentido muy literal o muy metafórico, pero independientemente de lo que parezca cierto permítanme ilustrar este pensamiento.

    En el sentido literal destruimos árboles con hachas y creamos una cerca con la madera cosechada para proteger nuestros cultivos. Destruimos un pollo y, a partir de él, creamos alimentos para alimentarnos. Jacob destruye las puntas de sus dedos tocando la guitarra y crea un hermoso retrato en un lienzo sónico para que lo disfrutemos. En cada ejemplo, la aniquilación total engendra un concepto completamente nuevo. La cantidad de cosas que destruimos físicamente en un día en la búsqueda de la creación es casi inconmensurable. Sin embargo, algunos de los momentos más profundos del viaje hasta el momento no provienen de la destrucción física, sino de la destrucción mental.

    El sentido metafórico no es tan cortado y seco. Desafortunadamente no es tan simple de explicar como destruir leña para generar calor, pero se sigue la misma fórmula de destruir para crear, aunque en lugar de destruir leña, destruimos las barreras mentales. En lugar de crear calor, creamos nuevas habilidades e ideas dentro de nuestras mentes. Destruimos nuestra sensación de comodidad hogareña al exponernos a un entorno radicalmente nuevo y cambiante, y a su vez creamos una mente más resistente y disciplinada. Destruimos nuestra comprensión y expectativas profundamente arraigadas de la sociedad humana al sumergirnos en una cultura fenomenalmente diferente a la nuestra y cosechamos una mente que está más abierta a lo que no comprende de inmediato. Destruimos las barreras del idioma y la cultura riéndonos y bailando con personas vigorizantes, y creamos nuevas relaciones emocionantes y significativas.

    A pesar de todas las cosas que he ayudado a destruir en Sol De Mayo, mi objetivo final es destruirme a mí mismo. Me refiero a esto más allá del sentido literal, no como destruir mis manos cavando camas de jardín para crear callos en mis manos. Me refiero a destruir todas las etiquetas sin sentido que uso para definirme, y para destruir los dogmas y juicios que me atrapan. Espero que al destruir quién creo que soy, pueda crear un nuevo yo crudo y auténtico, uno que no esté encadenado a la superficialidad y la conformidad. Y, todos los días, con la ayuda de mis amigos y mentores, me vuelvo un poco mejor al destruirme.

 Zach Childs

The capacity of wonder - La capacidad de asombro

Yesterday we hauled logs in the intense sun of Chilean Patagonia. Sweat ran down my back and soaked my shirt. All I could think of was a jump in the glacial fed Claro river that runs alongside Sol De Mayo. As soon as we finished our work, I walked to the river with my towel, dropped my clothes and jumped in. Immediately my breath was stripped from my lungs, I jumped out of the water gasping for air and cursing the cold. I made for the beach, grabbed my towel and wrapped myself tight. I dried off and sat there next to the river absorbing the sun's rays. Satisfaction and happiness.

    Now I sit and write, reflecting on this experience I shared with the sun, rocks, sand, and water. I fixate on the relationship between comfort and discomfort. The two are apart from one another, but could not exist without the other. I realize if I were to sit in the shade, let the wind erect the hairs on my body while watching my friends haul logs in the heat, I could not share their satisfaction and happiness after a dip in the river. I could not appreciate the heat, nor could I appreciate the cold.

    This year I see an understanding in my friends and in myself. We see our pain and discomfort. We see it manifest and thrive for a moment or for a few, but after time for reflection we see it breed growth and understanding for a lifetime.

    It seems funny to leave a state of comfort. Our brains operate on motivation fueled by discomfort to seek comfort. What we have done is leave our homes, our comforts and moved on to an unknown. Moved to Patagonia. Moved away from old comforts and discomforts to new ones. I believe we are accepting the nature of growth. Motivated by the prospect of developing our human experience. Surely for ourselves, but also for others so we can all grow and do better in this world. I have seen my friends, my teammates, taking on the human experience. Taking on comfort and discomfort now with a renewed sense of mindfulness.

We have all come a long way since leaving home, yet still have an eternity to go. Each individual: John Hurst, Jacob Sweeney, Noah Kirby, Zach Childs, and myself, Jack Stroman in a different, unique way. However, we move forward to the same common goal together as a team. I am updating after a month of life in town and on the ranch. In both places we have found warm sun and cold water. Humbled more every time, with a new key to a new door inside ourselves. Behind each door is an unknown, but we enter sure in our ability to react and bridle.

Ayer arrastramos troncos bajo el intenso sol de la Patagonia chilena. El sudor corría por mi espalda y empapaba mi camisa. Todo lo que se me ocurrió fue un salto en el río Claro alimentado por glaciares que corre junto a Sol De Mayo. Tan pronto como terminamos nuestro trabajo, caminé hacia el río con mi toalla, dejé caer mi ropa y salté. Inmediatamente me quitaron el aliento de los pulmones, salté del agua jadeando por aire y maldiciendo el frío. Me dirigí a la playa, agarré mi toalla y me envolví con fuerza. Me sequé y me senté al lado del río, absorbiendo los rayos del sol. Satisfacción y felicidad.

    Ahora me siento y escribo, reflexionando sobre esta experiencia que compartí con el sol, las rocas, la arena y el agua. Me obsesiono con la relación entre comodidad e incomodidad. Los dos están separados el uno del otro, pero no podrían existir sin el otro. Me doy cuenta de que si me sentara a la sombra, dejara que el viento erija los vellos de mi cuerpo mientras veo a mis amigos arrastrar troncos al calor, no podría compartir su satisfacción y felicidad después de un chapuzón en el río. No pude apreciar el calor, ni pude apreciar el frío.

    Este año veo un entendimiento en mis amigos y en mí mismo. Vemos nuestro dolor e incomodidad. Lo vemos manifestarse y prosperar por un momento o por unos pocos, pero después de un tiempo de reflexión, vemos que genera crecimiento y comprensión para toda la vida.

    Parece divertido dejar un estado de confort. Nuestros cerebros operan con motivación alimentada por la incomodidad de buscar consuelo. Lo que hemos hecho es abandonar nuestros hogares, nuestras comodidades y pasar a lo desconocido. Se mudó a la Patagonia. Alejado de las viejas comodidades e incomodidades a las nuevas. Creo que estamos aceptando la naturaleza del crecimiento. Motivado por la perspectiva de desarrollar nuestra experiencia humana. Surley para nosotros, pero también para los demás, para que todos podamos crecer y mejorar en este mundo. He visto a mis amigos, mis compañeros de equipo, asumir la experiencia humana. Asumiendo comodidad e incomodidad ahora con un renovado sentido de atención plena.

    Todos hemos recorrido un largo camino desde que salimos de casa, pero aún nos queda una eternidad. Cada individuo: John Hurst, Jacob Sweeney, Noah Kirby, Zach Childs y yo, Jack Stroman, de una manera diferente y única. Sin embargo, avanzamos juntos hacia el mismo objetivo común como equipo. Estoy actualizando después de un mes de vida en la ciudad y en el rancho. En ambos lugares hemos encontrado sol cálido y agua fría. Humillado cada vez más, con una nueva llave para una nueva puerta dentro de nosotros mismos. Detrás de cada puerta hay un desconocido, pero entramos seguros en nuestra capacidad de reaccionar y frenar.

Patagonia Gap Year

Confidence...Bilingual baby books and blackberry jam…..

Pardon our long silence from the blog, well really “our” is recent, I just incorporate in a couple of months ago.  We had intention of publishing this a couple weeks ago, but we let time escape.

We have received our first group of Gap Year students and many folks have asked to know more about this part of our project, so I will share a beautiful story with you, one principally of coincidence and adventure. 

This story begins approximately 25 years ago for Jonathan and about 11 for me, when each of us installed ourselves in Patagonia motivated by a great care for this land and a spark (or Molotov) of adventure.  During the following years this care for place we live grew; more challenges in Nature and Culture; greater frustrations in human relationships that lead to finding more incredible people and places. 

Jonathan with his Expedition Company tried to close the gap with more education and I through my law work tried to install more local pride rather than accumulate more money.  This is how we forged our paths and through this constant strive and struggle we gained the confidences of many friends.  It’s gratifying to hear someone local say that thanks to Jonathan, who gave them their first job, they become a guide and now a successful small business owner.  In my case this gratification comes from hearing friends repeat how I have helped unconditionally in every instance of territorial planning a sustainable future. 

By the good luck of fortune, we ended up together, joined in a common family goal that transcends mentality, intellect and the physical.  We are continually talking in depth about goals, projects and how to leave our world a little better.  In one of these talks I confided my desire to work more in depth with volunteers on a cultural project that I had tried but alas was unsuccessful in gaining traction.  He in turn told me of his desire to build a year-round education program that mixed expeditions, life on the frontier and cultural geography.  In these conversations we found a very natural fusion of our dreams and the start of our Gap Year Program.  The reality of the Gap Year comes to be with the essential inclusion of Alexas and Jack, mother and son power from Newburyport Massachusetts who invest total confidence in this dream and capacity of ours and decide to have Jack come and live with us for 8-months.  Adding to this confidence is our team here who are all extraordinary in their own right and more so in a team: Andrés, Dan, Coto, Gringo all we super important to the success of Jack’s Gap and to the program today. 

This Confidence doesn’t end, but rather impresses how it multiplies; the confidence we have in ourselves, each other to share dreams and make them happen; A mother and Son; in a team who’s lassos are care and friendship; and now we have the confidence of 5 students and their families (3 more in January!) to impart together our first formal Gap Year, which has the best of us and our place: A huge cultural experience, adventure and education on the frontier of humanity, where human existence ends and the natural kingdom reigns supreme on the edge of the Patagonian Ice Fields.  This is where fads end and the noise of consumption is quieted by the neighborly acts of gauchos with mates and jokes flowing freely. This is where math class ends, and the teachings come via the infamous winds of Patagonia. An experience that reflects the creativity that we see in our surroundings when working with our hands and heart with the land, a reflection of dynamic equilibrium of the ecosystem and those who choose life here, joined by a sense of place.  

I am not going to detail the formal program, as I said it is a beautiful history.  It is the full cycle of elements, like the water falling from clouds to be stored in the mountains and to end up in the Ocean, only to repeat.  Here there is a personal experience that adds to the collective experience revolving around care for a place that should be seen through the multiple lenses of beauty, which is the challenge: a concept of beauty deeper than the esthetic or the visual. 

So why the bilingual baby books and blackberry jam?  Well, because all of these confidences manifested again with these two beautiful gifts sent by the families for us along with a thoughtful card reflecting that is not the typical experience or service but rather much deeper.  These two gifts give me the opportunity to sit and reflect, now that our baby is finally sleeping and while Jonathan writes other mails and write this initial Gap Year Blog.  I remember that today these young adults who share with us this experience also share a quality that is fundamental with us, a deep desire to search for something of their own in life.  Even if they don’t admit it always, their drive to learn emanates from them and this is not just inspiring but also give hope that this wheel or full cycle of confidence is intact and possible to continue to transform lives, give that grain of sand to the whole which makes for better people or at least people with better tools to confront the true challenges of life. 

Confianza….Libros bilingues de niño y mermelada de mora.

Perdón por el largo silencio en nuestro blog… bueno el nuestro es reciente, yo sólo me incorpore hace unos meses. Teníamos la intención de publicar esto hace unas semanas, pero el tiempo logro escapar de nosotros.

Estamos recibiendo nuestro primer grupo Gap Year estos días y la gente tiene curiosidad por saber mas, así que compartiré con ustedes una linda historia, una historia principalmente llena de coincidencias y aventuras.

Este programa se gestó hace aproximadamente 25 años por cuenta de Jonh y hace 11 por cuenta mi, cuando cada uno se instaló en la Patagonia motivados por el cariño a esta tierra y una chispa de aventura. Durante todos esos años en cada uno se imprimió más y más cariño por el lugar que habitamos; mas desafíos en torno a la naturaleza y cultura; mayores frustaciones en términos de relaciones humanas y muchos lugares recorridos como amigos

Jonh con su empresa de expediciones intentaba acercarse mas a la educación que a la aventura y yo con mi labor de abogacía intentaba imprimir orgullo local antes que ganar plata. Así nos fuimos forjando y terminamos ganando la confianza de muchos amigo. Es gratificante escuchar a alguien decir que su primer trabajo como guía fue gracias a Jonh hace mas de 20 años y hoy es un operador local con su empresa propia, también para mi es lindo escuchar a un amigo decirme gracias por siempre estar ayudando incondicionalmente en cada instancia de planificación de territorio por un plan mas sostenible.

Luego, por azares del destino, terminamos juntos y siempre habían conversas llenas de proyectos y amor por esta tierra. Fue en una de esas conversas donde yo le confié mis ganas de trabajar de forma más profunda el ámbito del voluntariado con un proyecto cultural que anteriormente no pudo concretarse, y el me confiaba su idea de armar un programa para jóvenes que mezclara educación y expediciones. En esas conversaciones empezó a armarse este programa de Gap Yer, luego fue esencial la figura de Alexa y Jack, madre e hijo que confiaron en Jonh para venir a realizar una experiencia de voluntariado por 8 meses, a estas personas se suma la confianza enorme que existe en el equipo: Andres, Dan, Coto y Gringo fueron claves en la experiencia de Jack y su rol seguirá existiendo en el resto de os estudiantes.

Y la confianza no se acaba, es impresionante como se multiplica; de la confianza en nosotros mismos; en el uno y el otro para compartir nuestros sueños; en una madre y su hijo; en un equipo que tiene lazos de cariño y amistad ; recibimos hoy la confianza de 5 jóvenes y sus familias para partir con la primera experiencia formal Gap Year, que tiene lo mejor de lo nuestro: Una experiencia cultural, de aventura y educativa en la frontera de la humanidad, donde termina la vida del hombre y empieza el reino de la naturaleza al borde de los campos de hielo… donde se acaba la moda y tópicos actuales y empieza la vecindad de un gaucho, con mate y bromas incluidas… donde se acaban las clases de matemáticas y empiezan las enseñanzas que el viento patagon tiene. Una experiencia que es un reflejo de la creatividad que puedes ver a tu alrededor cuando trabajas con las manos y el corazón en un campo, un reflejo del equilibrio dinámico de los ecosistemas a los que la vida se une por estos lugares.

No detallare el programa formal, como les dije esta es una linda historia. Es el circulo completo de los elementos, como el agua que nace en la montaña y termina en el mar, aquí hay una experiencia personal que se colectivisa en torno al cariño por un lugar que debe verse con los anteojos de la belleza que significa todo desafío: un concepto de belleza mas profundo que la hermosura escénica o visual.

Por qué libros de guagua y mermelada de mora? Bueno, porque toda esa confianza termino en dos bellos regalos enviados por las familias para nosotros, además de una linda carta… algo que no es usual cuando contratas un servicio. Esos dos regalos me hacen sentarme hoy mientras mi hijo por fin se durmió y Jonh responde otros correos para escribir este post pendiente, para volver a recordarme que estos jóvenes que hoy comparten con nosotros tienen mucho de jonh y de mi hace muchos años: son jóvenes que buscan algo… incluso aunque no lo sepan las ganas de aprender que tienen lo demuestra y eso no solo es inspirador, también es esperanzador, así que sigamos la rueda de la confianza para transformarla en esperanza y aportar un granito al mundo generarndo experiencias que hagan mejores personas, o al menos personas con herramientas suficientes para afrontar los versaderos desafíos de la vida…

Rio Claro Exploration

We had a wonderful start to the season with Jeff, our resident physicist and Patagonian Afficionado, who on his 4th trip with us explored the upper reaches of the Rio Claro Valley. This watershed is the source of the Sol de Mayo Ranch water, what we drink, wash with, bath in, irrigate and give to our animals. It’s sanctity goes beyond the direct benefits we receive from it but into the realm of giving us the vision of what purity is, what purity looks like, sounds like and is and why it is so important to share properly while maintaining it’s holistic health. This trip was an exploration of our newest 30+ kilometers of trails we have built over the last couple years and the incredible amount of alpine territory it accesses. Our group was a perfect mix of a typical PAEX team, Local Gaucho Mountain Guides, US Gap year student, Finish Cartographer, Chilean Veteranarian Mountain Guide, Local Rancher, and our Master Physicist. With all this said what most strikes a cord with me is not just the beauty of the place or the postcard shots, not the individuals and their extraordinary history but rather how we all get along, share, inspire and delve into the depths of the impacts this kind of untouched nature has on us. Thanks Patagonia, Thanks Team, thanks for the opportunity to share it so gracefully and wholly enjoyable.

Jeff - hiking above Lago Claro with his huge smile.

Jack studying the reflections of self and environment, Lago Reflejo. This is my Gap Year…..

The headwaters of the Rio Claro, our water source for the Sol de Mayo Ranch

The Team at Sol de Mayo leaving everyone and everything better than before.

Cerro Puño

Anyone who has ever been to Sol de Mayo will remember Cerro Puño, an arresting and imposing peak that looms above our home base. To round off the 2017 season, the PAEX team decided to make an attempt at the first ascent of this magnificent mountain. While we didn't reach the summit, we found an astonishing world of ice and rock at the top, and enjoyed spectacular views of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Cerro San Lorenzo, and, in the distance, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. See below for photos of the expedition. 

The trail to Puño basecamp is now cleared and ready for visitors, and offers stunning views just one day from Sol de Mayo. 

The Season's First Summit

On a spectacular spring morning last week, a PAEX team - including a 67-year-old client - summited a sub-peak of the beautiful Cerro Aislado, and were granted a breathtaking view over the Northern Patagonian Ice Field. The ascent began the day prior with a climb through thick forest, behind Camp 4 of the AGT. We climbed steadily, pausing often to enjoy the views of the Colonia Glacier stretched out below us. Slowly, the deep lenga forest turned to knotted, dwarf trees, making for some difficult going. We camped that night at the forest's edge, hoping that a light afternoon rain would clear by dawn. It did, and we continued the climb the next day over a short talus slope and then onto hard morning snow. Perfect stillness greeted us at the summit, and we lingered taking in the view and comparing our maps with the landscape in front of us. As mid-day turned to mid-afternoon, we began our descent, pausing for a lunch of fruit and cheese on the talus slope, overlooking turquoise tarns and deep green forest, and then reaching camp in early evening, where all parties enjoyed a much needed siesta. Enjoy some photos from our trip, below:

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                                      Headed up the South Slope, with a view of the Lago CaChet 2, the Colonia Glacier, and Lugana Corazón Incognito behind us. 

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A View Over Lago Cachet 1

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Celebrating on the Summit

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Looking North

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Beginning the Descent

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A Scenic Resting Point

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Pausing for Photos

                                                                                                PAEX guide luis "Chino" toro leads the final stretch of the ascent

A New Season Is Upon Us!

A new season of expeditions is nearly here, which means it's time for the PAEX team to begin stocking the AGT's camps with durable foods, chopping firewood, clearing downed trees, and performing repairs on our rustic bathrooms. Enjoy some photos from our time preparing the trail, and come join us this season!

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Colonia Glacier GPS Rescue

PAEX maintains several glacier monitoring systems that have been installed by the University of Colorado, the University of Nevada, and the University of Utah. These devices measure the rate of flow of the Colonia glacier and broadcast that data directly to satellites, allowing scientists around the world to observe patterns and change on the ice field. For the past few weeks, though, a few of the monitors have failed to transmit their signal. The problem could be as simple as a need for new batteries. Or it could be something more complicated. Given the harsh winter conditions on the ice, there are many possibilities of what could have gone wrong.

It takes about two days to reach the monitors. First, we cross Lago Colonia in PAEX’s motorized dinghy – about a one hour journey over frigid water. Then we hike up to Camp Five of the AGT – known as the Condor’s Nest for its stunning views over the surrounding valleys. We are traveling light and moving quickly, though wet and icy rock sometimes makes our path slick.

When we do arrive, we’re surprised to see that the problem is not just a simple battery failure. The whole transmitter has been devoured by a wave of ice – most of it is frozen below the ground. Every now and then this happens, and it’s not all that surprising given that the Colonia glacier advances at a rate of nearly a meter per day!

Chipping away slowly at the ice with our crampons, we manage to excavate the device and then reset it on a nearby bluff. The project isn't finished yet - we'll need to be in touch with colleagues in the United States to know if the data has resumed transmitting - but we know this is a big step towards getting the machine back on line. 

With the transmitters back upright, and hopefully stable for many months to come, we head back to Sol de Mayo, where we're greeted by a welcoming committee of eager dogs. 

Winter Life at Sol de Mayo

Daily rhythms change in the Patagonian winter. Here at Sol de Mayo Ranch, at the top of the Colonia Valley, winter is a chance to catch up on projects that’d been put aside during a hectic summer on the ice. And also to cook, to read, to linger over sunsets, and to re-center ourselves for the coming season. Enjoy some photos from winter life at Sol de Mayo below:

Winter Sunset over Colonia Valley

Milling Wood for Construction

The Frame of Our New Guest Tent

Crossing the Colonia River

Dusk over Cerro Puño

A Kingfisher Comes to Visit

Buddy & Jon on the Water