Kimbrell --- On Saturday we set out to see Roberto Roman, a solar energy professional. His house used only solar to heat his water and power his lights. He showed us a series of rotating mirrors which we rotated in different angles so they would concentrate the sun to one spot on a peice of wood in an atempt to set fire to the wood. This however did nothing more than make a hot and bright spot on the wood. Shortly after Roberto Roman showed us a massive rotating dome lined with mirrors in which he tilted so that it faced the sun. He then held out a 2 x 4 between the sun and the mirrored dome which instantly ignited the wood. Roberto explained that this was used by the Romans as a battle tactic to light their enemies on fire.
Katie --- Yesterday morning, over a breakfast of instant coffee, toast, sweetened condensed milk, and a fruity, unidentified orange-colored jam, we lamented having not made the time to watch Bear Grylls navigate the wilderness of southern Chile on Man vs. Wild: Patagonia before our spring break departure. Instead, from the urban comforts of Santiago, we were left to our own devices to imagine brilliant wilderness accoutrements to enhance our much anticipated river trip.
The circuitous route from hostel to airport - what was a series of subway transfers and a crowded bus - proved relatively easy to manage, as our inner-urban-Bear Grylls came to the fore. But it was clear upon arrival at the airport in Balmeceda, the gateway to our Patagonia travels, that our collective comfort zone lies soundly in a more rural, more alpine, and more temperate locale. The landscape as we traversed from Balmeceda to Coyhaique was a beautiful mix between African savannah and Swiss Alps, illuminated by crepuscular rays.
Cleo --- Last night, three local activists joined us for dinner. It was incredible to hear from those who live, work, and love the Aysen region, instead of the talking heads we met in Santiago. They were passionate about protecting the land and water of Patagonia, and we could feel this with every word. It was re-freshing to hear and focus on the humanistic side of this major project instead of the technicalities and numbers.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Patagonia
Today's entry was brought to you by Sophie Kornick ---
Today Emma, Skye, and Riley, joined by Jeff, Daniel, Weston and Susan, were lucky enough to get to wake up at five in the morning. Though they were not quite awake, the city of Santiago was in full swing! They made their way to the airport by bus, and boarded their flight to Coyhaique. While they were in transit, Nicole, Mollie, Cleo, Sophie, Alex, and Katie woke up at around 8 to get to the airport for a flight leaving in the late morning. This group got to the airport by Trains x2 and a bus. We checked our bags and got our tickets with translation help from Lipe-dog and Podmore. We boarded our flights and arrived at the hostel at about 6 o'clock. Both groups made trips to the town surrounding the hostel. Riley, Emma, and Skye went earlier bringing back matte, hats and braclets. Cleo, Mollie, Nicole, Sophie, and Katie went later and bought chocolate that they shared while looking at the beautiful views. Alex went on a run. When we were all back at the hostel, we gattered for a meeting with locals from the community. In this meeting we talked about the effect that the dam would have on the surrounding communites. We talked about the ways that the executives of Hidro Aysen (the dam builders) were influencing the locals to gain their support for the project. They talked about how, when doing the enviormental impact assesment, the government officials did not listen to the worries of the people, therefore making the Hidro Aysen people not responsible for much of the problems they felt building a dam would create. I (Sophie) found the fact that these people had seemingly not done their jobs correctly really frustrating. The meeting covered the social problems that bringing 5-6000 construction men would create for the town. This is somthing Nicole thought was an important point. She said it was an idea she had not thought of before, and helped to round out her concerns about the dam project. Cleo said "I realized that the 'not in my backyard syndrome' did not apply because the energy would not be going to the Aysen region. If they need energy in the futurr it has to be developed in a way that respects the land."
ps Hi MOM!! Hi DAD!
Today Emma, Skye, and Riley, joined by Jeff, Daniel, Weston and Susan, were lucky enough to get to wake up at five in the morning. Though they were not quite awake, the city of Santiago was in full swing! They made their way to the airport by bus, and boarded their flight to Coyhaique. While they were in transit, Nicole, Mollie, Cleo, Sophie, Alex, and Katie woke up at around 8 to get to the airport for a flight leaving in the late morning. This group got to the airport by Trains x2 and a bus. We checked our bags and got our tickets with translation help from Lipe-dog and Podmore. We boarded our flights and arrived at the hostel at about 6 o'clock. Both groups made trips to the town surrounding the hostel. Riley, Emma, and Skye went earlier bringing back matte, hats and braclets. Cleo, Mollie, Nicole, Sophie, and Katie went later and bought chocolate that they shared while looking at the beautiful views. Alex went on a run. When we were all back at the hostel, we gattered for a meeting with locals from the community. In this meeting we talked about the effect that the dam would have on the surrounding communites. We talked about the ways that the executives of Hidro Aysen (the dam builders) were influencing the locals to gain their support for the project. They talked about how, when doing the enviormental impact assesment, the government officials did not listen to the worries of the people, therefore making the Hidro Aysen people not responsible for much of the problems they felt building a dam would create. I (Sophie) found the fact that these people had seemingly not done their jobs correctly really frustrating. The meeting covered the social problems that bringing 5-6000 construction men would create for the town. This is somthing Nicole thought was an important point. She said it was an idea she had not thought of before, and helped to round out her concerns about the dam project. Cleo said "I realized that the 'not in my backyard syndrome' did not apply because the energy would not be going to the Aysen region. If they need energy in the futurr it has to be developed in a way that respects the land."
ps Hi MOM!! Hi DAD!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Coyhaique bound!
On Wednesday morning, we left Carbondale and began our journey to the Southern Hemisphere. Roughly 24 hours later, having followed the tan spine of the Andes from their northern-most point toward their southern terminus, we arrived in Chile. After customs, money exchange, and baggage claim, we were greeted by Daniel's Santagino sister and brother-in-law who kindly accompanied us to the bus stop and transported some of our luggage into the city to our hostel. Pushing through our jet-lag, we dropped our bags off at our hostel and promptly found ourselves indulging in a lunch of Peruvian sandwiches. Mollie charged through the ordering process, demonstrating her nuanced and elegant understanding and command of Spanish. After lunch, the group met with Weston and Susan, our Rios to Rivers companions, gurus, videographers, etc., and headed to the headquarters of HidroAysen for our first meeting of the trip. We were lucky to meet with the CEO of HidroAysen, Daniel Fernandez, and hear his explanation for the impetus and necessity for the five mega dams planned for the Baker and Pascua Rivers. Riley posed a few incisive questions regarding projected issues of sedimentation in reservoirs above the proposed dams as well as the potential for loss of electricity along the transmission lines that would span from Patagonia to Santiago (over 2,000 KM).
After the meeting, we returned to the hostel and went grocery shopping to sustain ourselves while in Santiago. Sophie, Mollie, and Alex cooked up a delicious, fresh meal, after which, the students retreated to their rooms for some much-needed, much-appreciated sleep.
On Friday, we crisscrossed Santiago to meet with several outspoken pro and anti-dam voices. We began the day at the Chilean Congress with Senator Horvath from Aysen, followed shortly thereafter by a meeting with Sara Larraine who articulated some of the ecological, social, and economical concerns posed by the dams. To round out the day, we met with Hugh Rudnick, one of Chile's preeminent, pro-hydro engineers. Cleo inquired about the flood zone that would be created by dam projects.
As I write this, Cleo informs me that the parents don't necessarily want to hear about these meetings, and that I should move on to more interesting anecdotes. First off, the group is collectively addicted to Mo's Gellato just caddy corner to our hostel; we've officially become 'regulars' as we've sampled all of their fresh fruit smoothie flavors. Skye has been dominating at the pool table, though Kimbrell is certainly giving Skye a run for his money. Nicole is donning her new Chilean national football team jersey, and Emma might be the team's new number one fan! As they fans say: "Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le... CHILE!"
It's getting late, and we'll be up early tomorrow to head to the airport - hoping to get a chance to share some pictures before we get on the river Wednesday. For now, check out Susan and Weston's Twitter (@riostorivers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RiosToRivers). Ciao!
Happy in Santiago
Just stepped into an internet cafe for a brief moment to send word from Santiago! The CRMS group awoke to another hot day and is looking forward to smoothies and fresh juice (what has already become a daily routine!) before heading out of the city for an interview with a solar energy engineer. Looking forward to providing a more detailed update later in the day, but for now, all is well! Ciao!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Chile Itinerary
CRMS trip 2013
March 20th – TRAVEL DAY
Depart CRMS at 8:30 am
AMERICAN AIRLINES 20MAR GRAND JUNCT CO DALLAS TX 1245P 345P AA 2838
AMERICAN AIRLINES 20MAR DALLAS TX SANTIAGO 925P 805A AA 945
March 21st –
SANTIAGO
AM arrival to Santiago.
-3:30pm Meeting at HidroAysén offices with HidroAysén CEO Daniel Fernandez
AM arrival to Santiago.
-3:30pm Meeting at HidroAysén offices with HidroAysén CEO Daniel Fernandez
March 22nd –
SANTIAGO
-Get to know Santiago!
-Get to know Santiago!
-10:30am Meeting with Senator Horvath at Chilean
Congress
-After meeting with Horvath meeting with Sara Larrain
-5:30pm meeting with Hugh Rudneck (ProDam)
-After meeting with Horvath meeting with Sara Larrain
-5:30pm meeting with Hugh Rudneck (ProDam)
March 23rd -
SANTIAGO
-Meeting with Roberto Román
-Touring Santiago
-Meeting with Roberto Román
-Touring Santiago
March 24th
– TRAVEL DAY
-Travel from Santiago to Coyhaique
-Staying in Hostel
March 25th –
TRAVEL DAY
-Bus from Coyhaique to Cochrane
-Dinner: With host families in Cochrane.
March 26th – COCHRANE (TRIP PREP)
-Breakfast with host families
-Lunch all together at Roberto’s House
-Bus from Coyhaique to Cochrane
-Dinner: With host families in Cochrane.
March 26th – COCHRANE (TRIP PREP)
-Breakfast with host families
-Lunch all together at Roberto’s House
- Paddle Rio Cochrane through town
-All students dinner with host families.
-All students dinner with host families.
March 27th –
BAKER RIVER
6:00am wake up
-Early breakfast with host families
-On bus to Balsa put in no later than 8:00am
-Load boats
-11:00am launch
-Lunch on banks in Valle Grande. Spend time paddling through estuaries in Valle Grande seeing aquatic life.
-Arrive to Balsa Colonia and set up camp at Refugio Colonia.
-Dinner (Fire ring here)
6:00am wake up
-Early breakfast with host families
-On bus to Balsa put in no later than 8:00am
-Load boats
-11:00am launch
-Lunch on banks in Valle Grande. Spend time paddling through estuaries in Valle Grande seeing aquatic life.
-Arrive to Balsa Colonia and set up camp at Refugio Colonia.
-Dinner (Fire ring here)
March 28th –
BAKER RIVER
-6:00am wake up
-Pack up camp.
-Hike up Colonia valley, GLOF studies with Brian Reid
-Down river to Auturo Quinto’s house. (By Nadis valley)
-Set up camp.
-Dinner with Auturo Quinto.
-6:00am wake up
-Pack up camp.
-Hike up Colonia valley, GLOF studies with Brian Reid
-Down river to Auturo Quinto’s house. (By Nadis valley)
-Set up camp.
-Dinner with Auturo Quinto.
March 29th –
BAKER RIVER
-6:00am wake up
-9:00am on river
-10:00am to Portage (El Salton)
-Hike up to tunnels above el Salton
-3:00pm done with portage & Hike
-Arrive at Rene Muñoz’s estancia.
-Asado (Roasted Lamb Dinner) with Rene Muñoz
-6:00am wake up
-9:00am on river
-10:00am to Portage (El Salton)
-Hike up to tunnels above el Salton
-3:00pm done with portage & Hike
-Arrive at Rene Muñoz’s estancia.
-Asado (Roasted Lamb Dinner) with Rene Muñoz
March 30th –
BAKER RIVER
-6:00am wake up
-Spend some time with Rene Muñoz & Family in morning.
-Lunch and noon depart for Rio Vargas/Lalo Sandoval
-Arrive to Vargas and dinner with Sandoval family
-6:00am wake up
-Spend some time with Rene Muñoz & Family in morning.
-Lunch and noon depart for Rio Vargas/Lalo Sandoval
-Arrive to Vargas and dinner with Sandoval family
March 31st –
BAKER RIVER
-6:00am wake up.
-9:00am Depart for Tortel.
-1:00pm arrive to Tortel
-Meet Tortel host families dry gear/ change into new gear.
- Dinner with host families.
-6:00am wake up.
-9:00am Depart for Tortel.
-1:00pm arrive to Tortel
-Meet Tortel host families dry gear/ change into new gear.
- Dinner with host families.
April 1st
– TORTEL to PASCUA
-Breakfast with host Families
-Load on bus to head to Hernan Gualet’s on the Pascua
-Make dinner at Hernan Gualet’s
-Breakfast with host Families
-Load on bus to head to Hernan Gualet’s on the Pascua
-Make dinner at Hernan Gualet’s
April 2nd –
PASCUA
-Day with Hernan Gualet, hike to see parts of Pascua and test tunnels that have been made by HidroAysén
-Day with Hernan Gualet, hike to see parts of Pascua and test tunnels that have been made by HidroAysén
April 3rd
– PASCUA to COCHRANE
-Depart from Heran Gualet’s (with timing of Mitchell Fjord Ferry)
Arrive Cochrane PM to eat dinner and stay with host families
-Depart from Heran Gualet’s (with timing of Mitchell Fjord Ferry)
Arrive Cochrane PM to eat dinner and stay with host families
April 4th –
COCHRANE
-Sleep in
-Party/Asado in afternoon. Slide Show presentation at the Library that eve open to the public.
-Sleep in
-Party/Asado in afternoon. Slide Show presentation at the Library that eve open to the public.
April 5th –
TRAVEL DAY
-9:00am Bus from Cochrane to Coyhaique
-Stay at Hostel in Coyhaique, make meal in Hostel.
-9:00am Bus from Cochrane to Coyhaique
-Stay at Hostel in Coyhaique, make meal in Hostel.
April 6th/7th
– TRAVEL DAYS
-Coyhaique to Santiago; Santiago to US
AMERICAN AIRLINES 06APR SANTIAGO DALLAS TX 850P 615A AA 940
AMERICAN AIRLINES 07APR DALLAS TX GRAND JUNCT CO 1055A 1205P AA 3449
-Coyhaique to Santiago; Santiago to US
AMERICAN AIRLINES 06APR SANTIAGO DALLAS TX 850P 615A AA 940
AMERICAN AIRLINES 07APR DALLAS TX GRAND JUNCT CO 1055A 1205P AA 3449
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