Love of Water Trek, Patagonia

In less than two weeks, I’ll embark on my Love of Water Trek in Patagonia wilderness. I’ll travel to Chile to realize a dream I've been building on for years, to be immersed in pristine wilderness and South American culture. For six months I'll live mostly out of my backpack and tent, volunteering and exploring Patagonia. 

My first destination is Conservacion Patagonica, the new 650k acre park nestled in Chacabuco Valley. The park is an inspirational conservation project, supported by  grassroots and multinational efforts, individuals, businesses and organizations over many years.
( http://www.conservacionpatagonica.org/home.htm)
I will learn from the land, water, and people protecting the commons by supporting conservation efforts, like ecosystem restoration and monitoring, herding, gardening and farming. I love playing outdoors and will hike, backpack, trail run and ride, climb, fly fish and raft free rivers, etc. with locals and fellow international travelers. 

I'll get to the southern hemisphere in time to enjoy the last summer days, experience autumn transform the landscape, and hopefully brave a southern winter. When I return to Santiago, I will reunite with Chileno friends and share my photos and stories of the Conservation. Considering my textbook and restaurant (gringa) spanish, and that Chileans speak mostly in slang, I anticipate a steep learning curve. Judging by the Chileno friends I made, there are plenty of patient teachers in my future. ¡Que bueno!

In 2009, I traveled to Nicaragua with members of Rotary International (the largest humanitarian organization in the world) and was taken aback by generosity and hospitality of Latin people. Immediately I learned that the common thread of true problems globally is water and education. Inspired by goodwill into action, I quit my sales job to finish college. I was a dedicated and enthusiastic student of sociology and environmental studies. Recently I graduated with honors, and presented my senior paper on Intergenerational Inequity and Environmental Degradation at a sociology conference. Rotary and my undergraduate studies exposed me to our precarious environmental situation, locally and globally; and to the capacity of humans to generate positive change. The future is unwritten and young and unborn have everything to lose or gain; how we move onward with the living systems that remain is a choice. 

This journey is essential to me as an environmental guardian. It feels amazing to finally be free to experience Patagonia's fields of glaciers feeding boundless free rivers, jagged mountainous spires, wetlands, grasslands, ocean and wild creatures. The support of my tribe is invaluable and humbling; crowd sourcing funds and equipment empowers me to delve deeper into volunteering and experiencing true wilderness. Gear I lack or am upgrading is necessary for safety and comfort while traveling and working amongst polar elements. Fortunately, I was employed by the outstanding outdoor apparel company, Patagonia (a major supporter of Conservacion Patagonica), and I built up a sweet adventure kit full of warm layers. To pay my student debt and basic living expenses for six months, I am selling possessions of monetary value (car, bicycle, spare gear and clothing, etc).  All contributions are welcome and greatly appreciated. 

Here is a breakdown of my $3,800 goal:
$1600 Passport/travel documents and services, entry fees, and documentary equipment
$1200 Airfare and other transportation in Chile
$800 Alpine gear
$300 to pay Go Fund Me cost

Muchas gracias, amigos. We are better together and I hope to make you proud. Toward the light we go. 

Peace/paz.

Cheney