Trans Patagonia Expedition

Summary

The expedition aims to packraft the geographic limits of Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia. Packrafting involves trekking with a lightweight inflatable kayak thus having much more options route-wise over land trails and complemented by the use of the kayak on rivers, lakes and coastal routes.This way it’s felt that areas much more off the beaten track can be accessed and explored for the purposes of this expedition.

Aim of the Expedition

Tourism through Patagonia follows some common routes like the Carretera Austral in Chile and the Ruta 40 (Route 40) through Argentina and then specifically some very popular national parks like Torres del Paine for example. The route of the expedition will generally be outside of these popular routes promoting “Conservation through Tourism” for preserving and promoting local customs, cultures in addition to the environment. Thus encouraging tourism further afield and more authentic whilst potentially also lessening the impact in very touristy parts.

Route

The route starts from Ensenada on the shores of Lake Llanquihue (Los Lagos Region, Chile) via the Lake Todos Los Santos and further south. Sections like from Aysén will entail kayaking through and down the fjords in the area known as the Campo Hielo Norte (Northern Ice Field). Staying on the Chilean side of the border right up to Tierra del Fuego where the route enters Argentina followed by a kayak section along the Megellan Strait to Puerto Williams, the southernmost town/ establishment of Chile (the route will have already passed the southern tip of the South American continent as Cabo Frago).

From Puerto Williams, the route goes north up into Argentina along the Andes and across the pampas to the Argentinian coast. The mouth of the Colorado River marks where the route goes WNW to the north-west corner of Neuquén Province and the Barrancas River; both rivers forming the geographic northern limit of the Argentinian Patagonia Region. South from Neuquén the route will follow the Andes mountains again to just north of the village of La Angostura and cross the border back into Chile via the Puyehue National Park and a trail past the lakes south to finish the circuit at Ensenada again. Total route: 8,027km

Before the Expedition

Visit and explore sections of the route and see how the weather conditions influence the route. For example: kayaking lakes during summer may be very difficult due to extremely strong winds although this may be avoided by very early morning departures. During this time in Patagonia (now in 2018 and early 2019), I will start an intensive physical training programme including on kayak training and practice with time also spent with survival experts in the ice fields along the Chilean coast. Some more ice and snow trekking also to be done in both Chile and Argentina.

Training and Exploratory Phase

I am now (June 2018)in northern Chilean Patagonia in Ensenada where the expedition will start off. Getting solid into winter now, it’s ideal to see how the route will be through certain parts during this and winter season as well. In order to do this though, I already require that some gear be of good quality to deal with potential snow situations (not uncommon during winter) and the heavy rain days. (note this is not top of the range gear at all)

Minimum required gear for going further south:

✔️ Tent for snow and heavy rain conditions (most important for now)
- 2-man tent priced at Doite (Chilean outdoor supplier), as the most economical and suitable for this at c. US$ 250.00. ***purchased with inflatable sleeping mat from @doitechile

✔️ Sleeping bag -18 degrees Celsius (most important for now)
- priced at Doite (Chilean outdoor supplier) as the most economical yet suitable for this at c. US$ 250.00.
***purchased from @doitechile as well as 2prs wool trekking socks and two waterproof backpack covers. 

NB!!
1. Lightweight hard shell jacket.
- sold by various outdoor outlets and vary from US$ 240-300.
*>*>As everyone knows it's very important in the weather and temperatures in Patagonia. 

2. Thermal inner layer gloves. Vary between US$20-30. 

3. Reliable solar charger for mobile and laptop (see 13 July update) to keep people updated when away from towns and villages for a long time.

4. Lightweight fishing rod. With fishing allowed in fjords, lakes and rivers, this is potentially a big source of food. 

5. Lightweight fold-up snow spade. In deeper snow this is something very important in addition being a tool that facilitates sheltering when in snow in a remote area. 

Expenses on the Go

Obviously along the way finances are needed for everyday things like food, gas/fuel for cooking and at times, accommodation at campsites and/or hostels.

Food generally can calculated to $5-8/day (less when out camping) and then accommodation prices for camping are generally in the range of US$ 7-10 (camping) and US$ 15-18 (hostel dorms).
In this regard, I will be happy to work with a sponsor/supporter providing promotional and marketing work in return for the expenses on the go.

Later in the training phase

- Packraft - inflatable kayak with sprayskirt and attachments for tying down gear - prices vary from US$ 1,400 to some brands down to US$ 900

- Dry suit for kayaking on icy water and for rain/wind conditions - c. US$ 8-900
- adding booties and gloves will add another US$ 300

Garmin InReach SE - Satellite emergency communication and navigation.
 - requires subscription too for communication.
- US$ 450 with Garmin InReach without subscription

(Note: at the moment using a Garmin GPS for navigation without facilities of emergency contact. Excursions are thus shorter and less extreme to minimise the risk of requiring evacuation/ extraction)

**my laptop, an Apple Macbook Pro 2007/8 is finally starting to give in too. On 11 July 2018 opened it to work and the keyboard is not working anymore. The trackpad seems to be on the way out too.  For this I've upped the total...costing less is better. 

3. Camera DSLR with 1-2 basic lenses. (mine was stolen during a burglary in Peru in 2017 with 3 lenses, my passport, phone etc).

4. Small drone would facilitate promotion and updates for sponsors and supporters. (could be acquired just before the actual expedition if not before)

**Raising the visibility of communities for sustainable tourism in spectacular natural surroundings will benefit these communities who sometimes only hear of tourism but get no benefits - even though their land is sometimes crossed by tourists. 
This will include capacity building for guides and establishing small businesses. 

** Funds will be used for the essential kit required for exploratory period during winter, food, cooking fuel, basic accommodation. All as listed above.

**Initial funds for exploratory period, food, fuel and accommodation are required in 2018 with further funds required for the later training phase in 2019

The support will be hugely appreciated and serve many more people in rural and remote communities that otherwise may not have access to tourism and hospitality know-how. 
It also means that with a good tent and sleeping bag for example, long treks/rowing into remote areas is safer as well. 
I will also publicly thank each and every donor/sponsor - anonymous or named, and take your name out there with me on these remote treks. 

My website will also be updated as I go along www.expedevacexpeditions.com

Current tent I have which is not up to the winter rain and snow.