Global Community Project

Get involved with GCP!

2008-02-07T15:47:00.011-07:00

We're back from a great trip! Much was accomplished and new friendships forged! It was definitely an amazing experience for all involved!

the group in the park

To get a day-by-day play of what when on during the trip, check out the participants' blogs in the: Patagonia Journals. If you don't understand Spanish, keep scrolling. They're mixed in English and Spanish.

and check out our friends at Alternative Apparel who helped us make the GCP shirts. Earth friendly and comfortable!

GCP has some exciting events in store for this year. Check back for our soon to be installed Speaker Series. We'll let you know the date the boys will give a slide-show presentation about their trip.

Trip Description:
The participants traveled to the Chilean Patagonia and did home stays with local teens from the town of Puerto Natales. The whole group traveled to Torres del Paine National Park. In the park they participated in a Huemul Census, rehabilitated trails, explored the park. Then spent time on a working Patagonian sheep and cattle ranch for two nights.

Check out more pictures from our trip!

Donate:
It's that time again. Our annual Old Bill's Fundraising Push
Please donate! Your help is much appreciated and we couldn't do it with out you! Please make your check out to the Jackson Hole Community Foundation with Global Community Project in the memo line. With Old Bill's your donation will be matched up to 40%!

Please mail your check to:

Global Community Project
PO Box 12286
Jackson, WY 83002

Thanks for checking in! We'll see you on the blogspot soon!

Chilean Patagonia 2008

2008-01-09T13:25:00.003-07:00

4-15-08
Bueno. Hoy es el 5to dia en el parque. Hoy fuimos a la base de las torres. Aunque no alcanzamos llegar pero fue una buena caminata, una de las mas largas que hemos hecho y una de las mas cansadoras en lo personal por tener mucha subidas pero todo esfuerzo tiene su recompenza y las de esta caminata fue ver las Torres mas cerca de lo que las habia visto antes. Ademas de que a la vuelta solo habia bajadas.
Este viaje asido muy bueno, porque econosido mas gente y en algunos casos epodido hacer buenos amigos. Ademas epodido conocer un poco mas las cultura de los estado unidences. Es muy bueno compartir con gente nueva.
Bueno manaña volvemos a Natales y creo que este asido un viaje inolvidable para todos nosotoros.
-Mathias

4-14-08
Well today was on of the better days in the park. We slept in till 7:30 am. Eduardo and I where the leaders of the day. As leaders we were charged with waking everyone up and cleaning up the cabins we stayed in. After a large tasty breakfast we got ready for the hike back to the hostel. On the way we stopped periodically to do some trail maintenance. This entailed throwing big rocks off the trail and make it easier to walk. Also we would rock off sections of trail so they could become refurbished back to their original state. We continued this process for about a mile; the results was absolutely spectacular. After that we started the long hike back, not measured in kilometers, but hours. Personally I have no idea how this is used, but anyways it is a 4 hour hike. We hiked the predicted hike in just under 5 hours. Once we arrived at the hostel we hopped in a van and went to watch guanacos, then as a synopsis to the day we played duck, duck, goose and hung out in the refugio. All in all, it was a hard, long, but fun day.
-Will

4-13-08
Today was the earliest we have had to get up the entire trip. We had to arise at 6:30 well before the rising sun shines it´s radiance on the towers of paine. We had the unique opportunity to ride a zodiac across a section of the lake near our rustic shanty near the base of the towers. The reason for our pre-sun awakening was to utilize the convience of the zodiac before the raging winds render it useless. By the time the second zodiac wave was on it´s way the wind was picking up and the plastic zodiac seats were unforgiving on the hienders of the unsuspecting passengers. We ended up being dropped off at the extent of our hike the previous day. From there we headed down the trail to the next set of cabins that happen to be Christian´s favorite in this particular national park. We arrived after the first group and Matt, Luke, and Frazer took a break. They all sat on different rocks gazing at the view consisting of a beautiful lake, ominous mountain, foreboding rock wall, and Japanese like trees. Frazer considers this place to be the most stunning place he has ever been due to the diversity and scale of the surrounding environments. From there Matt, Frazer, Luke, and Greg ran up a ridge hoping to tread upon the flat platue directly below the immense rock wall. The three didn´t make it because wind gusts rating a 11.7 out of 10 blew them off the trail. After the whole group hiked to the entrance of the French Valley and watched ice-a-lanches tumble down the slopes. After the long trek back the group settled into their wee cabins and slumbered for the night.
-Frazer

4-13-08
Bueno el dia que me toco ser el lider del grupo me toco dispertar al grupo o a mis compañeros a las 6:30 para ir al Refugio los Cuernos. El dia estuvo muy bueno y fue oles de el principio al fin. Y al que al final del dia Frazer nos enseño un juego muy bueno y cuando mi compañero RP y yo nos dirigiamos al nuestra cabaña encontramos un raton al cual intentamos a matar. Duespes me fui a dormir con mis otros compañeros y tubimos una buena conversacion sobre la vida y otras cosas.
A todos mis compañeros tanto chilenos como estado unidenses les digo que fue una bonita experiencia estar este tiempo con ustedes y conocerlos mejor. Les juro que no los voy a olvidar y que espero volver a verlos pronto en espicial a los estados unidences tambien agradecerles por su amistad y otras cosas. Tambien voy a extrañar al Christian, Laura, y GREEK (Greg).

4-12-08
Today, we were unable to travel in a boat due to conditions. So in replacement of traveling we went climbing. This was a new experience for the local Chileans. We demonstrated how to properly climb and assemble your climbing equipment. We spent several hours climbing. After climbing we spent several hours playing hide and go seek. First the American version and then the Chilean version. Tomorrow we will have an even better day because we are traveling in a zodiac, a boat, to a whole different part of the park. We are having so much fun and can´t wait for the next day.
Chao
-
Eric, Luke, Marcos

4-11-08
After what seemed like ages of flying, we finally made it to Puerto Natales. Puerto Natales is a town in the far south of Chile. It is freezing at night but still extremely beautiful. All the Chileans I have met so far have been extremely nice and try their hardest to make us not feel out of place. However, no matter how hard they try we cannot deny the fact that Chile is extremely different then the U.S. For example, the first day I met my host-family we had the biggest lunch of my life. It had three courses including a gigantic bowl of soup that I could barely eat. We spent three days with our families and then went into the park with the group. Today was our first day in the park and was probably my favorite day of the trip. The whole day we tried to see and count the huemul, but were not successful, however my group did see scat. Anyway Eric, Matt, Frazer, Will, Luke, Rody, Laura, Greg, Christian, Alonzo, Marcos, Mattius, and Eduardo are having SO much fun on this trip and can´t wait for tomorrow.
-Luke

A Terrible Loss

2007-11-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Chris Horne, a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Global Community Project. Chris and Mandy Horne (also a board member) were traveling in Baja Mexico over the Thanksgiving Holidays when their car was struck head-on by another car. Chris was killed instantly and two people in the other car were also killed. Mandy received severe injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.

Chris was a good friend, passionate outdoor athlete and gifted teacher. He put his heart and soul into teaching kids about the world and the people and animals that inhabit it. He was also one of the kindest, gentlest, most sincere people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. In the spring of 2006 Chris, Mandy and I traveled to Chilean Patagonia to scout out future projects for the GCP. Throughout our journey I was impressed by Chris' vision for the GCP and the Journeys School, where he was teaching at the time. He was invaluable at developing programs for kids that would combine his love of the outdoors and creating educational opportunities for kids. Chris wanted to open kid's eyes to the myriad possibilities to follow their own dreams and create a better world. He felt strongly, as we do at the GCP, that a single person, with hard work and passion, can create positive change. What was also apparent to me was his love for, and dedication to his future wife, Mandy.

We will truly miss Chris' smiling face. Thanks go out to all of his family, and especially to Mandy, for sharing this wonderful person with us. It's been truly a gift to be able to work and play with him. Our sincerest condolences.

With all my love,

Christian Santelices

GCP in Patagonia

2007-07-31T13:03:00.004-06:00

Thoughts from Christian

2007-07-16T10:15:00.000-06:00

November 18, 2007 - Puerto Natales

It's been two weeks since we arrived in Patagonia for the start of our sojourne on the Estancia Rio Verde. The time has been marked by frantic activity putting our house in order and serving groups of foreign tourists in the ranch lodge, combined with serious "down time" away from computers, cell phones, and even electricity.

Sue has begun work on a garden next to our house and has been working with the ranch staff on the other gardens. Right now the big crop is rhubarb, which we eat as jam, kuchen and wonderful strawberry-rhubarb tarts like the ones Sue made for the whole family a coule of nights ago.

Mariela entered school last week right in the village of Rio Verde. There are six students, including her, all dressed in their uniforms in the 100 year old former main house of the original ranch that now serves as the school. Spanish is beginning to exert its will on her brain and she gets excited when she's able to have a brief conversation with one of her friends or people on the street. She has the (wonderful) habit of telling perfect strangers how great they look in that coat or that she likes their handbag.

As for myself, I'm still a bit stuck in the frenetic life of home as I put the finishing touches on our biggest guided trip of the year with the Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania). I'm on a constant search for internet access and cell phone signals, which, to my surprise, are cropping up all over the place here in once wild Patagonia.I have been able to take time to do some work on the ranch, my father "grabbing me by the ear," so to speak, to help him with loading hundred pound bags of flour into his employees home kitchens or checking on the new heating system for the hotel that the ranch now runs.

Life here is certainly changing. The modern world is slowly creeping in to our remote ranch. Still, most of the work is done on horseback by men with scarves wrapped around their necks and berets on their heads. Women still make homemade bread every day in wood stoked ovens, make gnocchi by hand and serve food from the garden. The overall rythm of life is still slower and focused on physical labor and family.

Trip Application

2007-07-05T13:31:00.000-06:00

Please follow this link to the trip application. All pages must be completed.

Trip Application

Reflections - Matt Stirn

2007-07-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

Having never traveled outside the border of the United States, I have to admit I was a little nervous to be hopping on a plane to the southern tip of Chile. I have traveled on many occasions with Christian Santelices, the found of the Global Community Project and all have gone well so far. That fact gave me a little bit of comfort. What lay ahead in Patagonia was a complete mystery. I knew absolutely nothing about Chile other than its location and official language, Spanish. Numerous questions raced through my head as I flew from the safety and familiarity of my home country. What kind of technology did Chile have, what were the people like, what did they eat? My mind was open, ready to take in every possible piece of information presented to me.

The two weeks I spent in Patagonia were among the most amazing in my entire life. My journey began in the town of Punta Arenas where I stayed with the Borics, a local family. While conduction my home stay I attended Simon Boric’s high school, ate a fantastic Easter Lunch with the Borics entire extended family, and even attempted to dance in an authentic South American Discoteca. From Punta Arenas we traveled north to the town of Puerto Natales and from there, Torres del Paine National Park. Torres del Paine has to be among one of the most unbelievable areas on the planet. The beauty of the place is indescribable. In the park we spent a little over a week trekking, repairing/re-routing trails, and making friends with the locals. Our small American team was paired up with a group of Chileans who worked in the park. Our band of trail workers traveled across the park together enjoying the scenery and repairing trails along the way. Once our adventure in Torres del Paine came to an end we drove south again to Estancia Rio Verde. This ranch, owned by Christian’s father Sergio, is enormous. I remember driving for what seemed like hours and still being on the property. At Estancia I was introduced to Christian’s family and the process of running a Chilean sheep ranch. During our stay we had the opportunity to heard 700 head of sheep, assist in a cattle sort, and participate in a Chilean Asado (similar to an American barbecue). Almost as soon as the trip began it was over. We waved goodbye to great friends we made and began the long travel back to the states.

Two things can happen when a group of people live in the mountains for weeks at a time. That group can turn into great friends, or obnoxious enemies. I am glad to say that everyone in our group came out of the experience with only friends. When people go through the same adventure, a unique bond is formed. This bond is unexplainable and can only be understood by those who have experienced it.

Traveling to Patagonia not only introduced me to an amazing place, but also to an amazing group of individuals. From late night conversations in a mountain hut, to sharing in the joy of a completed section of trail, we call have experiences we will never forget. By forming such a unique friendship, we have created an experience that shall remain ingrained in our minds for the rest of our lives.

Leadership

2007-07-01T13:11:00.000-06:00

Christian Santelices has been a professional mountain guide for seventeen years, twelve of those spent in the wilds of Patagonia. He holds a degree in Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Environment and Community from Antioch University Seattle. He is also an American Mountain Guides Association certified rock climbing and ski mountaineering guide, as well as extensive first-aid and rescue training (Wilderness First Responder). Christian specializes in outdoor education and community solutions to social and environmental challenges. He believes in communal leadership, where each person in an organization has an important role to play in decision making. Christian has done major first climbing ascents in Patagonia and elsewhere. Christian’s family are the owners of Estancia Rio Verde, where we will spend some time on this trip. He has a local’s knowledge of the people and places around Torres del Paine National Park.

Visas

2007-07-01T13:08:00.000-06:00

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Chile. There is, however, a $100 “reciprocity” fee for entrance into the country (Chileans are required to pay a $100 application fee for entry into the U.S.). Upon arrival in Santiago U.S. citizens are required to show their passport and pay a $100 fee. A stamp is given in the passport along with a receipt, which allows future entrance to the country for the life of the passport.

Each student will also need a notorized letter of permission for them to travel with us. We will arrange this letter in the coming months.

Risks

2007-07-01T13:07:00.000-06:00

The most dangerous element in Patagonia is the weather. Due to its austral location, the sun is extremely strong. Sunburn is a constant threat and participants need to apply sunscreen on a regular basis throughout each day. Wind, rain and even snow are all possible during our time in the region. It is imperative for participants to have the proper clothing for protection from the elements. Temperatures can range from 0 – 20 degrees Celsius, making both hypothermia and heat exhaustion a possibility. Proper hydration and nutrition is very important in keeping yourself fit during our activities.

As was mentioned above, the terrain is often rocky and unstable. Participants must have sturdy footwear and take care while walking. Falling rock is possible in some locations on our trek. We will manage the group appropriately to minimize any exposure to this hazard.

Ground transportation will be provided by a local reputable outfitter. We will travel in Mercedes Benz Sprinter mini-buses or similar vehicles. We use professional drivers intimately familiar with local roads and conditions.

Local dangerous fauna include the puma (felis concolor), which is the same species of large cat (mountain lion) indigenous to North America. Shy and reclusive, they have been known to attack humans traveling alone on secluded mountain trails. We, therefore, will maintain a partner system to avoid any conflict. There are no snakes, dangerous insects, or other potential wild animal threats. There are no dangerous plants. On the Estancia Rio Verde participants will be instructed to stay out of corrals where cattle or horses might be contained in close quarters. They will also be instructed to avoid petting any dogs, which sometimes carry a parasite that can be passed to humans (echinococcus granulosus which causes hidatidosis). Frequent hand washing mitigates this and many other potential viral and bacterial threats, all of which have to do with personal hygiene.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) states the following on their website (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/temsam.htm#diseases). Notes in italics are by Santelices. Notices about tropical diseases were deleted from this list:

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Temperate South America. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.

• Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

• Rabies, pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities. NOTE – Chile had its first case of human contracted rabies just a few years ago, due to a bite by a bat. The most dangerous place for getting rabies in Patagonia is in the town of Punta Arenas roaming around at night where packs of stray dogs patrol the streets. Contact with bats is very unlikely.

• Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors. NOTE – water that we drink will be either bottled or treated on the trail. Food in restaurants, the huts we stay in, or on the ranch is served in a professional, hygienic manner.

• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles.

There are no travel warnings posted by the U.S. State Department for travel in Chile. You can read South American travel recommendations at:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1172.html

Emergency Medical Procedures

2007-07-01T13:06:00.000-06:00

Patagonia is a rough and rugged place with frequent and violent storms, strong sun, rocky terrain, and even snow and ice. It is a remote place with very little rescue infrastructure. Any injuries or evacuations will be performed primarily by our group in order to stabilize and, in some cases, move them to safer locations for transport to the hospital in Punta Arenas. It is important, therefore, for each participant to be aware of the risks involved in trekking in this remote park and adapt their actions to the environment.

The group will carry a satellite telephone for contacting local authorities in the event of an accident in order to mobilize the emergency care system in the region. Injured party members will be transported by horseback, depending on injuries, to the nearest trailhead where they will be put into a vehicle for the drive to town. Initial stabilization of serious injuries can be done at Hospital Dr. Augusto Essmann Burgos in Puerto Natales. Definitive care, however, will take place in Punta Arenas where there are several first-rate medical facilities.

In the case of serious injury on the trail every attempt will be made to provide helicopter transport directly to Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. The weather, however, will determine if it is possible for these aircraft to assist in any emergency. Emergency helicopter transport is provided by the Chilean military in cooperation with Torres del Paine National Park.

Monthly Meetings

2007-07-01T12:59:00.000-06:00

The students and adult volunteers will meet on a monthly basis to discuss Chilean culture, natural history, packing, what to be prepared for, rules for the trip, fundraising, and other topics. These meetings will also be a chance for us to connect via internet and possibly video conferencing with our Chilean counterparts.
Second Saturday of every month at 5:30
Dec. 8th
Jan. 7th

Next meeting Jan. 28th at 6 in the Jackson Library

Gear List

2007-07-01T12:56:00.000-06:00

We need to travel light! Everything you are bringing must fit into a medium sized duffle bag/suitcase. While on the trail your city clothes can be left at Estancia Rio Verde. In the park all of your clothing must fit into a medium sized backpack and transported with you.

Rain jacket and pants – Gore-Tex or similar
Long underwear top and bottoms – Capilene, Dri-Fit or similar
Hiking pants – stretch woven polyester or nylon
Hiking shorts
Long sleeve comfortable synthetic shirt for hiking and hut life
Fleece jacket/sweater
Fleece gloves
Warm hat
Sun hat
Neck gaiter or Buff
Hiking socks – three to four pairs
Comfortable, sturdy hiking shoes – Keen Targhee, Nike Tallac, or similar
Slippers/flip flops or similar for hut living
25 to 30 liter backpack (around 2000 cubic inches)
Two 1 liter water bottles or Camelback type reservoir capable of holding two liters of water
Sun glasses
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Iodine purification tablets with nuetralizer (Potable Aqua)
Personal first-aid kit – band-aids, Compeed blister patches, ibuprofin, personal medications
Camera with extra battery and lots of space on your card!
Notebook and pencil/pen
Trekking poles – recommended, not required
Lightweight sleeping bag

Itinerary

2007-07-01T12:49:00.000-06:00

The goal of this trip is to see a new place, meet new people, work on our language skills and have a good time. It’s also an opportunity to learn about ourselves through our interactions with the other members of our community and through journaling excercises we will do throughout the tip. Working with local communities we will assist and learn from our local hosts on significant projects designed to help create sustainable solutions to local challenges. Activities will include long days of hiking, trail work, and even some ranch work on a working Patagonian sheep and cattle ranch. Significant time will be spent interacting with local people and learning about their relationship to this special place. The activities and their design will enable for everyone to participate.

Torres del Paine National Park is the location of this Patagonia Trek, and one of the most beautiful and spectacular parks in the world. We will also spend time on Estancia Rio Verde, a working Patagonian sheep, horse and cattle ranch located 100 kilometers from the town of Punta Arenas on the shores of Skyring Sound. The estancia is owned by the Santelices family and continues a 100-year tradition of ranching in the region.

4/5/08 - Fly from Jackson

4/6 – 4/7 - Arrive Santiago. Afternoon flight to Punta Arenas. Students will be picked up by their host families who will take them into town. The following day will be spent attending school with their host students.

4/8 - Six hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park. Lunch stop on the way in Puerto Natales. Once in the park we will first stop by the Administration Center then on to Lago Pehoé where we will board a catamaran. Crossing the lake, we will end up at the base of the park’s largest peak, Paine Grande, where we will lodge for the night.

4/9 - Six to eight hour round-trip hike to Glaciar Grey. We will hike above the huge Lago Grey, formed by the Grey Glacier, one of the principal wonders of the park. We will hike on a new trail that was built with volunteer labor by the Fundación Patagonia. In the evening we can look for alpine glow on Paine Grande and Lago Pehoé - watching the waning light turn turn clouds, mountain and lake salmon color.

4/10 - Ten to twelve hour hike to Albergue Los Cuernos. Leaving Pehoé we head towards the Valle Frances, similar in scale and beauty to Yosemite Valley, but without the cars and crowds! We’ll spend some time watching glaciers covering the largest peak in the park, Paine Grande, calve seracs down the 6000 foot rock face, which makes up the mountain’s southwestern wall.

4/11 – Today we will spend the day on a trail project around the Los Cuernos hut. Working with local volunteers we’ll put in water bars, and smooth out sections of trail.

4/12 - Six to eight hour hike along Lago Nordenskjold then climb into the Río Ascensio Valley and the Albergue Chileno. We will most likely see condors, Chilean flickers, and other birds along the way. Spend the night bunked in the refugio.

4/13 – 4/15 – We’ll spend the next three days doing a combination of trail work and hiking. Hikes include the trip to the Silencio Valley and the lookout to the Paine Towers. While at the hut we will cook meals together with local volunteers and out hosts, sip maté and get to know our new friends better.

4/16 – Descend out of the Rio Ascencio Valley to the trailhead where we will be picked up for the drive back to Estancia Rio Verde. We’ll stop for lunch along the way in Puerto Natales

4/17 – We’ll spend a day at the Estancia learning about ranch life. In the evening we’ll have a traditional Chilean lamb asado or bar-b-q.

4/18 - Drive to Punta Arenas Airport for the flight back home.

Contact GCP

2007-07-01T12:43:00.000-06:00

Contact GCP
Email us at globalcommunityproject@gmail.com

Laura Cooke - Executive Director
Christian Santelices - Founder, Board President
Mary Bowker - Board Member
Greg Poduska - Board Member
Max Ludington - Board Member
Will Stirn - Board Member

Fundraising Ideas

2007-06-07T21:09:00.000-06:00

Hey Group,
Use this page to post comments about fundraising and to organize yourselves!