Last Week of Patagonia Exchange

It’s hard to believe, but we’re heading into the last 10 days of the Patagonia Exchange program. Wow, that went quickly! We’ve had some incredible adventures and cultural exchange opportunities since my last check in.

We spent a full week backpacking and volunteering in the San Lorenzo Valley with the beautiful glaciars of Cerro San Lorenzo as our backdrop. We spent many mornings drinking tea with our hosts Luci and Luis Soto, practicing Spanish and learning about Cerro San Lorenzo’s vast mountaineering history. Students planned a beautiful sun rise hike as a closing experience.

We then spent the next week in Cerro Castillo, with our wonderful hosts Yolanda, Myriam, and Karen Sandoval. Throughout the week, students took Spanish lessons in the morning and used the vocabulary they learned during cultural exchange activities, such as a traditional leather working, pottery, and music classes. Yolanda and Myriam hosted students in their home with home cooked meals and plenty of conversation.

This past week, we’ve been based in the Futaleufu Valley, where we’ve completed our swiftwater rescue course, spent 5 days rafting the Futaleufu River and explored the surrounding mountains on day hikes.

We’re gearing up for our final river trip down the Rio Palena to the coastal marine reserve, Reserva Añihue and are feeling so grateful for this tremendous Patagonia Exchange adventure.