The Bridge

One of the center pieces of this part of the project was the construction of this bridge:

The old one was washed away during the strome this last winter. Pretty much all of the expedition was involved in this construction (more than on the photo)!

The Bridge

Frosty Spring in Patagonia

Back from Lago Steffen and the Estancia Baguales, the expedition moved camp to the trail leading up to Refugio Frey, in the Cathedral group of the Andes close to Bariloche. Teaming up with the guides from the refugio, the group spent 12 days working on the trail, rebuilding bridges, painting signs, redirecting waterways and clearing trees from the past winter.

Starting on a warm and sunny day (see photo above), the group soon found themselves in a cold spell of Patagonia spring. With up to hip high fresh snow, white-outs and strong winds that had the wind chill drop below -20*C, it felt more like a winter expedition

all of a sudden (see photo left and below). The tent camp was closed and the group moved to the refugio to seek shelter in the well heated mountain hut.

After the storm had passed, they set out with tents once more to camp closer to the work on the trail. With a lot of sweat and hard work the guys rebuilt one of the main bridges that was washed away during the winter and completed the planned work on the trails.

With great support from Hernan, Diego, Allen and Nahuel from Refugio Frey, and everybody's combined knowledge about backcountry engineering, the project was a great success!

Frosty Spring in Patagonia

Expedition week 3 & 4

After a very successful regional condor census with a new record number of over 220 condors counted during an evening census, the group spent the last week on Isla Victoria, right in the heart of Nahuel Huapi Lake.

Camping on the shores of the spectacular Piedras Blancas bay, the groups headed out on day trips into the reserve to complete another set of wild boar and deer transects. After the transects, the group also spent some time working in the plant nursery and assisted the park rangers with some projects.

The spring took a break and the group returned from the island in a snow storm and high winds. Back on the mainland, the expedition was split into two groups.

One group headed out to lago Steffen, south of Bariloche to complete some more boar transects in this area. Camping in the forest close to the lake (photo above), they will work on the transects and survey the laguna for waterfowl and mink. With its low elevation, the snow was not too much of a problem for them.

The second group returned to our base camp La Lipela for three nights to sit out the high winds and snow before heading to a private estancia on the northern side of Nauel Huapi lake to survey the forest for nests of the carpintero gigante (Campephilus magellanicus, photo right). They are working with a PhD student from the Universidad de Comahue.

Expedition week 3 & 4

Back for the Spring Expedition

We are back! With 14 volunteers for these first five weeks, the expedition is now in its second week.
Starting with the training week in our base camp La Lipela, the new voluneer team was introduced to the science projects, run through medical training and brushed up their skills with navigation and compass use. With many other lessons on the schedule, the days were long, but it was a great time getting to know each other.
The two day trek into the high ridges behind the camp gave everybody a chance to take the lessons into the backcountry and also get a feel for the heavy backpacks for the first time (photo: GPS practice overlooking the Rio Limay valley).


The group is currently out in the transition zone between the Andes and the steppe, conducting a regional condor census. In small groups of 3-4 people, we are monitoring six condoreras (condor resting locations) for two nights. This is the 23rd regional census that GVI Patagonia is conducting for our projects partner.

On Monday night, the groups will be back in La Lipela for the end of training asado!

Back for the Spring Expedition

Banff Mountain Film Festival in Argentina!

Celebrated as the best festival for adventure films, the world tour of the Banff Film Festival is currently stopping in Argentina!

The shows in Bariloche were a blast and you should definately go and see it if you happen to be in Buenos Aires - some of you guys joining us this October might actually be around! Apart from amazing international adventure films, they also show locally filmed material, featuring some of the Argentine guides that have guided our treks and our Snow School courses. A special guest in Bariloche was Mercedes Sahores, the first Argentine woman to summit Mt. Everest! In May of this year, the 34 year old local from Bariloche and her team returned form a successfull summit attempt.

The dates for Buenos Aires are September 21, 22 and 23, and the location is the Cine Hoyts (Dot Baires Shopping.Verdia 3632. Ciudad de Buenos Aires).

Enjoy the show!

Banff Mountain Film Festival in Argentina!

Expedition Science Report

The science report for the Patagonian summer expedition (January-March) 2009 is ready to download!
For a copy, click on the link on the left hand side on this blog and download your copy or write us an email to patagonia@gvi.co.uk and we'll email you a copy.

It is almost time for our next expedition, the preparations for the spring are going smoothly. The next team will head out starting October 2nd.
Continuing with our data collection, we will return to work mainly in Nahuel Huapi and Lanin National Park.

Expedition number 12 in Patagonia coming up!

Expedition Science Report

Games in the snow

The ski season in Bariloche has been off to a late and slow start this year - but with plenty of snow fall this week, conditions are pretty good right now.
With crowds of tourists and locals enjoying the long week-end, the setting was perfect for this year's rugby 7's and polo competitions, held right at the base of the Cathedral ski resort.


With teams from all corners of Argentina, the action was on in the snow.




As usual for any proper Argentine gathering of people, there was of course also plenty of meat on the asado!

Games in the snow